Former NFL defensive lineman Aldon Smith died Saturday in the Bay Area at age 36, the San Francisco 49ers confirmed. No cause of death was given.

Smith played six seasons in the league with the 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys after San Francisco selected him seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.

"We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith," the 49ers said in a statement. "Aldon's undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen.

"Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into. Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon."

Smith burst onto the scene as a rookie with 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits, finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He followed with a Pro Bowl and All-Pro campaign in 2012, recording 19.5 sacks, a total that remains a franchise record for the 49ers.

Smith's career was repeatedly disrupted by off-field legal issues, including 10 arrests over nine years and multiple league suspensions for violations of the NFL's substance abuse and personal conduct policies. The 49ers released him in 2015 following a third DUI-related arrest, and he later played for the Raiders and Cowboys before a brief, unsuccessful stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021.

Smith announced his retirement from football in 2023. He later launched a mentorship program called I.M. Loading, aimed at helping young athletes navigate the pressures of professional sports, and worked with rookies from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders.

Smith was born September 25, 1989, in Kansas City, Missouri, and played collegiately at Missouri.