According to a police affidavit of Smith's arrest, an argument led to the 49ers linebacker hitting a neighbor's car - resulting in minor damage.
"I want everybody to understand this wasn't a DUI. The situation that happened could have been handled differently," said Smith in the interview as he left the jail.
After confirming the news, Tomsula said during the press conference that while he will no longer be with the 49ers, he will not have to walk this path alone.
"From our perspective, for him, there are things that need to be addressed with 100% of what he has. From the team perspective, that's the football. These are completely different and they don't mix," said Tomsula.
Tomsula was clearly emotional about Smith, saddened that he will no longer be with the team after working so hard and showing genuine concern for him as a person.
When asked if he thinks Smith would play football again, he said that "He has been turning his life around" and added that "People stumble." Tomsula stated that he hopes that Smith plays football again.
Tomsula stated that the media will not be able to meet with players until after today's practice, simply saying, "They're hurting."
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith retired from the NFL after playing 14 of the last 16 seasons in the league. Smith, who was the top overall draft pick of the 49ers in 2005, spent his first seven years in the Bay Area. The former Utah Ute had many mountains to climb with San Francisco, like five different offensive coordinators, head coaches who did not believe in him, and being in the same draft as California Golden Bears' Aaron Rodgers, whom the Green Bay Packers drafted in the same draft. In honor of his career with the 49ers, here are Smith's top five moments with the team.
Moment 5: The Phoenix rises
After a horrible 45-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and coming off a bye week, the 49ers traveled to Houston in a Week 7 game on Oct. 25,
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, who spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Football Team, has announced his retirement from the NFL. He and his wife, Elizabeth, both posted the following via their Instagram
Bay Area media reacts to ex-49ers QB Alex Smith's retirement
By David Bonilla
Apr 19, 2021
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick by the team in 2005, officially announced his retirement from NFL today.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CN2j9LohMi4/?utm_source=ig_embed
The announcement has garnered a significant reaction from the media, who watched Smith not only overcome a devastating leg injury that nearly cost him his life, but also return to football this past season, earning him NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.
Here are a few of the reactions from Bay Area reporters who helped cover the team for at least a portion of Smith's eight seasons with the
Mock Draft Roundup: The Mac Jones-to-49ers Chatter is Deafening
By Justin Wong
Apr 7, 2021
The 2021 NFL Draft is a three-day event from April 29th to May 1st that will be hosted in Cleveland, Ohio. A select number of draft prospects will be invited to Cleveland to walk across the stage and shake hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The NFL Draft will also feature draft prospects participating remotely across the country.
Last month, the 49ers arguably made their most aggressive move since trading Joe Montana, as they gave up multiple picks to jump from No. 12 to No. 3 in this year's NFL Draft. The first Mock Draft Roundup featured primarily defensive players but NFL pundits have now shifted their 49ers mock drafts to the quarterback position.