San Francisco 49ers’ linebacker Aldon Smith was arrested Thursday night on the suspicion of hit-and-run, DUI, and vandalism by Santa Clara Police. Smith was released from jail on Friday morning after posting a $26,000 bail at Santa Clara County Jail, according to ABC 7.
This is the third time Smith has been arrested for drunk driving. Last season, he was suspended for the first nine games of the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies. In 2013, Smith voluntarily missed five games because he entered a substance abuse treatment center.
On top of Aldon Smith’s charges last night , he has had numerous other off-field incidents that include a suspicion of DUI in January of 2012, suspicion of DUI, and marijuana possession in September of 2013, charged with three felonies in October of 2013, and was arrested at a Los Angeles airport for making false bomb threats in April of 2014, according to Sports Illustrated .
Earlier in the week, 49ers’ general manager Trent Baalke told reports that they had plans to keep Smith, who is in the final season of his deal.
“Aldon’s like any young player, he’s growing up, he’s maturing. You see that with a lot of these guys. Some of them get themselves in a few more situations that you wish they didn’t. If you ask them, I think they’d say the same thing. I’m really pleased with the way he’s handled things, the way he’s working both personally and professionally.”
After being released Smith told KTVU the following,
“People who are faithful remain faithful. I’m good, I can talk. It’s simple as this. Hey, justice will be served and the truth will come out. There’s no DUI. And I’m sorry for anybody I let down and I’m sorry for, you know, the way this whole thing… it’s time. I need to speak. I want everybody to understand, this wasn’t a DUI. The situation that happened could’ve been handled differently. I apologize to everybody that I did let down and I apologize for how it all played out. But as far as everything’s concerned, it’ll work out how it’s supposed to work out. That’s all.”
Smith refused to take anymore questions after leaving the Santa Clara County Jail on Friday morning and told reports to “leave him alone.” The 49ers have yet to issue a statement about Aldon Smith’s situation and what the plan is for Smith’s future with the 49ers.
Smith has played for the 49ers since being drafted back in 2011. In the 50 games he has played, he has five forced fumbles and was the 49ers MVP in 2012.
[Photo by Jed Jacobson/ Getty Images]