Ex-nfl Star Mourns Aldon Smith Following His Untimely Passing

WHO:

USA Today - Aldon Smith was the seventh overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011.

Pro Football Network - Emmanuel Acho, ex-NFL linebacker, expressed condolences for Aldon Smith.

NBC Sports - Aldon Smith, former NFL defensive end, passed away at the age of 36.

WHAT:

USA Today - In an interview published four days before his death, Aldon Smith stated, "I’ve definitely had better days" and expressed he was "struggling accepting" parts of his life.

NBC Sports - Aldon Smith died suddenly; no cause of death has been identified.

NBC Sports - Smith was found unresponsive in a friend's truck after delivering pizzas to a homeless shelter.

NBC Sports - Smith's final interview was posted last week, featuring him discussing his life after football.

WHERE:

USA Today - Aldon Smith was found unresponsive in his car in Los Gatos, California.

NBC Sports - The incident occurred in Texas, where Smith was involved in door-to-door sales.

WHEN:

NBC Sports - Aldon Smith's final interview was posted last week.

NBC Sports - Smith was found unresponsive on a Saturday.

WHY:

USA Today - Smith described his NFL career ending in 2021 when the Seahawks waived him due to off-the-field legal issues and mentioned he was "broke, broke" after exiting a relationship.

NBC Sports - Smith indicated in his interview that he was struggling and described being "broke" while wearing an ankle monitor.

HOW:

USA Today - Smith began working for a roofing company after his NFL career and noted the transition from being in a locker room to not having that community was challenging.

NBC Sports - The interview was filmed by Tee Maultsby, who has a series of videos featuring athletes getting haircuts.

Aldon Smith, the seventh overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, was found unresponsive in his car in Los Gatos, California. In an interview just days before his death, he shared that he was "struggling accepting" parts of his life and admitted to having "definitely had better days." After his NFL career ended in 2021 due to legal issues, Smith transitioned to working for a roofing company, expressing how difficult it was to move from the camaraderie of the locker room to a more solitary life.