Talented Former NFL All-Pro Arrested
Former NFL All-Pro linebacker/defensive end Aldon Smith has seen a once-promising career derailed by substance abuse issues, and his life received yet another setback Monday night when he was arrested in Kansas on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Police in Mission, Kansas, stopped Smith’s vehicle for a traffic violation, which led them to discover that he was allegedly above the legal limit.
Mission Police Department spokesman Captain Kevin Self told The Kansas City Star that Smith was taken to the police station, where he was issued citations and released to a friend.
The 29-year-old Smith has officially been out of pro football since the Raiders released him in March 2018 following an alleged domestic violence incident.
Prior to that, the NFL suspended him in November 2015 for a year but never reinstated him.
Smith, until further notice, remains ineligible to play for any team that may sign him.
“The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries,” the police report stated following that March 2018 incident. “The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival and was identified as professional football player Aldon Smith, a 28-year-old Oakland resident.”
Smith’s then-fiancée, Shawna McKnight, told TMZ at the time: “I wish the best for Aldon.”
“And I’m scared for his life with his addiction. I cannot comment on the altercation but I can tell you I love him and so happy he turned to my family who considers him family and hopefully he gets the help he truly needs.”
In November 2018, Smith pleaded no contest to violating a court order and false imprisonment in connection to that March 2018 incident.
Aldon Smith is one of the greatest “what if’s” in NFL history. Unreal talent when he could keep it together. Unfortunately, his demons have gotten the best of him. I hope he can get his life straightened out and avoid an early grave.
— Matt Barr (@MattBarr_) June 11, 2019
In addition to at least three DUI arrests, Smith has also been taken into custody on charges of vandalism, hit-and-run, illegal possession of an assault weapon and making bomb threats at the Los Angeles airport.
But when he was on the field, Smith looked at times to be a once-in-a-generation talent.
He racked up 47.5 sacks in just 59 games, was named a First-Team All-Pro following the 2012-13 season and went to the Super Bowl that year with the San Francisco 49ers.
He also forced six fumbles, grabbed an interception and generally scared the pants off of any offensive lineman who drew the short straw and had to block him.
But for now, all that is just a distant memory. Smith is going to have to face the wrath of the legal system as he tries to put his life back together off the field.
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