Here is a collection of words you probably never thought you’d hear less than three years ago following a 19.5-sack season: Aldon Smith has been released by the San Francisco 49ers.
Smith was arrested once again on Thursday night and is facing charges of driving while under the influence, hit-and-run and vandalism. The Niners expressed support for him after cutting him on Friday afternoon.
“This organization has tried very hard to help Aldon fight his issues,” the team said in a statement. “Although he is no longer a member of this team, our support and concern for him will continue.”
New head coach Jim Tomsula called the circumstances “sad.”
“It’s a sad day. This is a day that doesn’t have anything to do about football,” he said. “Although he won’t be playing football for the San Francisco 49ers, he won’t walk this path alone.”
Smith, 25, has been arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence multiple times — though he insists he was not guilty of DUI on Thursday. Even if that’s true, he has a laundry list of off-field issues.
After racking up an incredible 33.5 sacks between his rookie and sophomore seasons in 2011 and 2012, Smith missed five games in 2013 while in alcohol rehab. He missed nine games last season due to a suspension and also threw in this incident at an airport. The former Missouri star obviously needs some serious help.
