Aldon Smith, a first-round pick who was a dominant pass rusher early in his career, has died. He was 36.
"We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith," the 49ers said in a statement, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "Aldon's undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into. Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon."
The seventh overall selection in 2011, Smith had 33.5 sacks in his first 32 regular-season games. He finished second for the defensive rookie of the year award in 2011, and he was a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 2012. He started Super Bowl XLVII with the 49ers.
He served a nine-game suspension in 2014 for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Following a DUI arrest in August 2015, the 49ers released him.
That season, he appeared in nine...