Aldon Smith dies: Former San Francisco 49ers defensive end dies aged 36

Former NFL defensive end Aldon Smith has passed away at the age of 36. Smith was a standout rookie for the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, though his career was later impacted by various off-field legal and personal issues.
Why it matters
Smith was a high-profile athlete whose career trajectory serves as a notable case study in the intersection of professional sports success and personal challenges.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Aldon Smith registered 228 tackles, 52.5 sacks, and 103 quarterback hits in 75 regular-season games
The article provides a factual obituary covering both his professional achievements and his well-documented personal struggles.
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