Aldon Smith’s Final Days and Reflections

A recent appearance by Aldon Smith on celebrity barber Tee Maltsby’s YouTube channel has taken on a deeper significance in light of her tragic passing on Saturday. “I’ve had better days,” shared the former 49er, reflecting on his life.

Sadly, Smith, 36, was discovered unresponsive in a friend’s car and was declared dead about an hour later at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose.

Earlier this month, he was part of an interview series called “Lace Up,” where Maltsby cuts guests’ hair while they chat. In that episode, Smith seemed to hint at some underlying struggles but didn’t go into detail.

“We definitely had some good days,” he mentioned early in the show. “This feels similar to battles I’ve faced throughout my life, and it’s hard to grasp how things are unfolding. It probably sounds like nonsense.”

Despite his hardships, he tried to maintain an optimistic outlook. He expressed gratitude, saying he was “thankful” and “appreciated” certain aspects of his life.

“It’s been a tough week. Challenging, yes, but also starting to feel worthwhile. Changes are happening,” he noted.

Smith’s promising career in the NFL was marred by personal issues, including substance abuse and multiple run-ins with the law.

He played for six seasons, though his time was interrupted by several suspensions. After the 2014 season, Smith was released by the San Francisco 49ers following multiple DUI arrests and received a nine-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

After a brief stint with the Raiders in 2015, he returned in 2020 and started all 16 games with the Dallas Cowboys, showcasing his potential with 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons.

In his last days, Smith and a friend were reportedly delivering pizza to a homeless charity, highlighting a spark of hope in his life amid ongoing struggles.