Aldon Smith says he is a ‘better person,’ expects to play at high level

Aldon Smith was reinstated by the NFL on Wednesday, and the defensive end will now try to prove he can still make an impact on the field despite not appearing in a game since 2015. Despite his legal issues and battle with addiction, Smith is confident he can play at a high level again.

After word surfaced on Wednesday that he has been reinstated, Smith told TMZ he is clean and sober and focused solely on playing football. When asked if he is concerned about having a five-year layoff, Smith said his God-given talent will make up for it. He also believes not playing for several years could work in his favor.

“God has blessed me with talent, and one of the talents is my natural gift to play ball, to be an athlete,” Smith said. “So, I still feel young. I don’t have the mileage on my body. I still feel great when I go to the gym. I still feel young and fresh. So, if anything, I’m looking forward to what I’m going to be able to do out there.”

Smith was then asked if he thinks he can duplicate the 19.5-sack season he had with the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. The 30-year-old said he is more focused now than he was when he accomplished that feat.

“I got 20 sacks … 19.5 … I say 20 because it was 20. But, I was able to play at a high level with a lot of other things going on in my life,” Smith said. “With how life is for me now, I’m just looking forward to seeing what I can do.”

Smith’s talent is undeniable. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, and he initially looked like he would be one of the best pass-rushers in football for years to come. Substance abuse issues and numerous run-ins with the law derailed all that, but Roger Goodell must be confident Smith is clean now. If that lasts, he could provide the Cowboys with a nice boost.