The NFL is mourning the loss of Aldon Smith. The former pass rusher has died at the age of just 36.

The NFL world is in shock. Former All-Pro defensive end Aldon Smith died on Saturday at the age of 36. The San Francisco 49ers confirmed the death but did not specify a cause of death.

Smith was drafted seventh overall by the 49ers in 2011 and made an immediate impact. As a rookie, he recorded 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits, earning him a second-place finish in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. His breakthrough came in his second season: 19.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits, along with Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, and a 49ers franchise record for a single season that still stands today.

San Francisco 49ers: Smith Often in Conflict with Police

As spectacular as his rise was, his fall was just as tragic. Smith was arrested ten times over the course of nine years. Multiple DUI offenses, illegal gun possession charges, and repeated violations of NFL guidelines resulted in lengthy suspensions.

From 2016 to 2019, he did not play at all. In 2020, he attempted a comeback with the Cowboys; in 2021, his attempt with the Seattle Seahawks also failed.

The 49ers stated in their release that Smith had “one of the best rookie seasons the NFL has ever seen.”