Aldon Smith is a name that elicits many reactions when it is muttered, however the first thing that comes to mind for me is wasted potential. Aldon Smith was drafted 7th overall in 2011. The same draft that brought Cam Newton and Von Miller to the NFL. These three players will always be tied together in my mind due to the way their careers began. Cam Newton was regarded as the most out there personality with the way he dressed, acted, and sometimes talked or interacted on social media, Von Miller was outspoken, energetic, but had his share of issues early on. Then there was Smith. Smith had come out of high school a 6'5 234 lb two way player who shined as a defensive end while also seeing time on offense as a tight end, after a senior season that saw him rack up 60 tackles, 21 for a loss, 12 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 1 blocked punt, 1 safety, 34 receptions for 570 yards and 4 tds earning himself the distinction as the 5th rated prospect in all of Missouri at the time regardless of position. He also came out of high school with no reports of off field issues. He was the quietest of this trio, and arguably the safest pick.
In college Smith again produced at a high level with little to no reports of any off field issues. He decided to forego his final two years of eligibility to pursue a career in the NFL. After having entered college as a redshirt freshman, he was a 2 year starter who racked up 79 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, 14.5 sacks, 1 interception and 58 return yards, 5 tipped passes, and 1 forced fumble in 23 games. As if his production wasn't impressive enough, he managed a combine that would leave a lasting memory.
Just 3 seasons removed from a reported 4.68 40 yard dash at 234 lbs, Smith had bulked up to 263 lbs in an effort to stand up to better competition at tackle at the college and NFL level. Despite carrying nearly 30 more pounds on his 6'5 frame, Smith ran the 40 yard dash in 4.72 seconds, he managed to display explosion with a 34 inch vertical, 118 inch broad jump, 1.66 10 yard split, and 2.70 20 yard split. His agility was on par with most linebackers, and top of the charts among most defensive end prospects, his size allowed him to be projected as both unlike his counterpart Miller who was an OLB with zero doubts about it. His strength left something to be desired with only 20 reps on the bench press leading some teams to lean toward lining him up as a strong side linebacker in a 3-4 defense. One of those teams, would wind up being San Francisco at #7 overall. Smith was drafted with the intentions of playing him at LB more often than not and as a down lineman on 3rd downs. At the time the 49ers were led by John Harbaugh, but his defensive coordinator was Vic Fangio the master of deploying linebackers in a manner that suits their talents. He also had Jim Tomsula at DL coach, and Jim Leavitt who had been coaching LB's since the 80's to lean on during his early development.
Aldon Smith came out on fire as a rookie. Fangio had a veteran group in front of Smith with Navarro Bowman, Ahmad Brooks, Patrick Willis, and Parys Harrallson who were starting meaning Smith would come off the bench, however he would play as much as some starters at times and his playing time paid off for the 49ers to the tune of 37 tackles, 14 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, 4 passes tipped despite not starting a single game. In year 2 the 49ers named him a starter and in his first 32 games he had already racked up 103 tackles, 33.5 sacks, 5 tipped passes, 1 interception, 5 forced fumbles, and 1 recovery putting him in the record books for most sacks in the first two seasons of a career. Harbaugh and company were pumped thinking they had the makings of a championship level defense. However 2012 would still have a few events that were concerning to say the least. On January 29th, 2012 Smith was arrested on suspicion of DUI, after a court hearing the charge was reduced to reckless driving, which ultimately led to no punishment by the NFL. In June of 2012, Smith had a party at his house, (hey at least he wasn't driving right), while trying to break up a fight Smith is stabbed twice, and 2 other people leave with gunshot wounds.
In 2013 after 3 games Smith had 4.5 sacks and was well on his way to competing for the league lead in sacks again, until September 20th when he was involved in a single vehicle incident. Most look at that and say single vehicle incident?? But how? Well intoxication played it's part of course, he was found to be under the influence of and in possession of marijuana, something the NFL frowned upon heavily at the time. Ironically enough his former draft class rival Von Miller was also dealing with a marijuana related suspension. (More on that later) Smith decided his best course of action at the time was to check into rehab, which might have looked like the right move at the time for the player and the team, I believe this should have been viewed slightly differently... While I applaud Smith for seeking help I believe this showed the world this was not just a young kid partying after a strong start to his 3rd NFL season, this was a man struggling with addiction. Five weeks went by and Smith returned in week 10 as a backup before starting again in week 13. Having played in 11 games starting 8 Smith managed to remind the 49ers why he was worth the trouble tacking on 4 more sacks from week 10 on to bring his yearly total to 8.5, add on his 34 tackles, and 1 forced fumble and recovery, and you can see why there was still optimism around Smith.
It was shortlived however, and for due reason. After a little over a calendar year since the incident at his home, 3 felony charges are filed against Smith. The lawsuit accuses Smith of owning illegal assault weapons, and firing into the air during the party. These charges however were announced while Smith was in rehab which only hurt the image he was building in the NFL. Smith turned himself in on October 29th, 2 days later the 49ers make a bold move and activate him to their roster. Showing faith in a very troubled player. On November 12th Smith pleads not guilty and sets a court date for January 15th allowing him to finish out that 2013 season we just discussed. At this point many other teams would have cut bait, Smith owed this team some form of success after all this. I don't believe a successful bomb threat was what they had in mind but alas that is what Smith rewarded them with. On April 13th 2014 Smith is arrested and booked for a bomb threat after being randomly chosen for a TSA screening. 5 days later the 49ers suspend Smith indefinitely.
So for anyone keeping score:
1 bomb threat
2 DUI's
3 felony weapons charges
Alright back to our story:
On May 21st Smith pleads no contest to his 3 felony charges, and 2 misdemeanors for driving under the influence. He is scheduled for sentencing July 25th.
His sentencing was moved up a week to the 18th of July. During sentencing his criminal record prior to his time in the NFL paid off with the judge reducing his felonies to misdemeanors. He is set to serve 2 twelve day sentences in jail that run concurrently, along with 3 years probation, $4,000 in fines, and banned from liquor stores and drinking alcohol for the 3 years. The NFL responds by suspending him for 9 games to start the 2014 season.
From August 29th to November 13th Smith stayed relatively under the radar. He stated to the press he no longer needed alcohol in his life, yet another statement that should have struck listeners as a precursor to more future issues but I guess rose colored glasses make the world look great.
Just over a month later a report that teammate Ray McDonald was accused of sexual assault came out. In this allegation the woman stated she had been drinking with McDonald and Smith earlier that day. Smith and his agent vehemently denied this because of course this was a violation of his probation, and a terrible look for a player trying to rehabilitate his image in the press. At that point he may as well have been the one being accused of the misconduct, because all anyone could talk about was Smith being involved in another police related incident. It's as if you could count on him for 2 police related events each year after his rookie year and it looked like he was making all the wrong choices to get back on track. Throwing parties, drinking with teammates who later are accused of sexual assault, and worst of all violating probation in the midst of a 3 year term that could send him to jail if he doesn't get his life straight.
On March 6th 2015, Aldon Smith restructured his contract to benefit the team and make it more risk free to keep him. He converted much of his salary to incentives. Further entrenching how much he had riding on his successful recovery.
On August 7th 2015, Smith proved this was no easy demon for him to fight and was again arrested and booked on suspicion of DUI, hit and run, and vandalism. This would later result in 3 misdemeanor charges, and his subsequent release from the 49ers. 35 days later on September 11th Smith was signed by the Raiders despite an impending suspension and a rap sheet that was quickly growing. As if that day wasn't eventful enough his 3 misdemeanor charges were filed.
9 games into the 2015 season Smith is again suspended this time for a full year. He started 7 games in 2015 racking up 28 tackles, and 3.5 sacks. Add this to the 15 tackles and 2 sacks he managed in 2014 his play on the field had shown the time away was taking its toll. In 16 games, with 13 starts Smith had just 43 tackles, and 5.5 sacks a far cry from his production his first 3 seasons.
Heading toward a year long suspension the Raiders kept Smith in their plans long term hoping he would be able to return full time by the 2017 season. However what ensued next is one of the most bizarre comeback trails I have ever seen.
April 4th 2016 Aldon Smith is resigned by the Raiders in a sign of good faith toward his eventual reinstatement and firmly planted the team's support behind him.
On July 24th 2016 a man and a woman release a periscope video of them smoking marijuana, evidence suggests this man was Smith. Smith spends the next day denying these rumors then 4 days later checks into rehab again. At this point this man has violated probation at least once that we know of, and was accused of two others. He has three DUI's, 2 stints in rehab, a bomb threat, 3 misdemeanor weapons charges, and many other instances of downright poor judgement and yet still had the support of the Raiders.
3 months later in October Smith requests reinstatement having exited rehab a second time saying he now had a strong hold on his life and would create no further distractions. The NFL reviewed everything and ultimately, and justly denied his reinstatement. This began a 3 year struggle for Smith yo show he deserved to be on an NFL field.
Late January of 2017 reports come out that the 49ers would be suing Smith for just over $300,000 that he was ordered to repay but never did. This led to a belief that Smith was now broke and didn't have the means to pay this remaining money owed.
In Februrary Smith was placed under investigation based on reports of a domestic violence incident. He was not arrested and was reported to be cooperating with police which helped public opinion of the incident.
Less than 1 month later Smith was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his girlfriend who struck a police patrol vehicle. It was later found both Smith, and his girlfriend were intoxicated. This would amount to a second documented probation violation. In September it is reported Smith managed a plea deal to once again remove a DUI charge from his record this time pleading guilty to hit and run instead.
In February of 2018, Smith asked for his child support payments to be reduced further cementing the belief he was out of money and desperate for an NFL return.
In March of 2018 Smith is involved in a another domestic violence incident. The woman said he drank two bottles of tequila, bit her, then escaped from her window to drive back to his home in Oakland. 2 days later he turns himself in. A week after that he pleads not guilty once again. 11 days later Smith is arrested for violating a protection order the woman had placed against him. This woman at the time was reportedly Smith's fiance.
This time after countless arrests, 3 seasons out of the NFL, losing his fiance, battling with addiction and arguably intense mental health issues it seemed Smith had possibly gotten his life back on track. He was sentenced for his domestic violence case, given two more misdemeanors, (I need to know who this dude's lawyer is), and was sentenced to 3 more years probation, and 90 days in jail that were to be served in an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center.
It wasn't until April 1st, 2020 that the Cowboys, America's team of escaped convicts, signed Smith to a 1 year deal. Being that it was on April 1st I thought it was a cruel joke to play on poor Smith, however I should have known better this is the Cowboys after all. At this point it was a leap of faith because the NFL had not reinstated Smith, nor had he reapplied as of yet. Ultimately the NFL always the sucker for a redemption story reinstated Smith. He would go on to play in 16 games for the Cowboys without incident, he had 48 tackles and 5 sacks. In my mind not enough to warrant any team believing they would get preaddiction Smith back at any point.
After a long wait for a contract on the open market Smith signed a 1 year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. The once all pro 3-4 LB would be again putting his hand in the dirt as a true defensive end the same role he filled for Dallas. However just 2 days removed from signing his deal Aldon Smith did it again. Police have issued a warrant for Smith's arrest following second degree battery of an alleged acquaintance of Smith which lends itself to the fact that this is not a case of mistaken identity like we recently saw with Aaron Donald. No unfortunately this is Aldon Smith being Aldon Smith, showing he is unhinged, unwilling to change, and at this point most likely relapsing in his addiction. I would be shocked if alcohol is not involved in this altercation. More importantly this is now the 4th time Smith has violated probation and needs to be treated as such. He needs a lifetime ban from the NFL, and a strict judge that stops slapping him on the wrist and starts legitimately punishing a man who has become more than a repeat offender. He has shown this is who he is now. If this man wasn't an NFL player would he even be walking free right now?
