Aldon Smith's Pre-Death Interview Reveals Struggles 4 Days Before Death at 36

2 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 15

A YouTube interview published four days before Aldon Smith's June 13 death showed the former NFL pass rusher saying he had "definitely had better days" and was struggling to accept how his life was unfolding.
Smith, 36, also said he was still grateful, but described uncertainty after his NFL career ended in 2021, telling interviewer Tee Maultsby he was dealing with issues he felt he had faced his whole life.
The former 49ers All-Pro said repeated substance-abuse violations led to a nearly five-year hiatus, and that his career "didn't have the ending" it should have after the Seahawks waived him following legal issues.
After football, Smith said he was "broke, broke," heartbroken after a relationship ended, and unsure of his next step before taking a roofing job that helped him adjust to life outside the locker room.
Smith was found unresponsive in his car in Los Gatos, California, according to the San Francisco Chronicle; his cause of death has not been released.