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Former 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has died at the age of 36. The 49ers announced Smith’s passing on their social media platforms.
“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith. 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 statement read.
Smith was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 7th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He then played three seasons with the team. Aldon Smith made an immediate impact with the San Francisco 49ers, appearing in 50 regular-season games and recording 152 tackles, 44 sacks, five forced fumbles, five passes defended, an interception, and a fumble recovery. He also contributed in the postseason, tallying 20 tackles and 5.5 sacks across eight playoff appearances as the 49ers made multiple deep playoff runs.
Smith quickly emerged as one of the league’s premier pass rushers. As a rookie in 2011, he led San Francisco with 14 sacks, one of the highest rookie sack totals in NFL history. He followed that performance with a franchise-record 19.5 sacks in 2012, earning First-Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection. By the end of his first two seasons, Smith had amassed 33.5 sacks, the most by any player through his first two years in the NFL.
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