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San Francisco 49ers: Aldon Smith Released

By Brian Spaen

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San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has gotten in trouble with the law again and this time it cost him his job.

According to ESPN.com, the former Pro Bowler was released by the Niners on Friday afternoon after the talented yet troubled NFL player was arrested late on Thursday night. The incident took place in California and came with charges of a hit and run, vandalism, and driving under the influence. According to an ESPN.com report, Smith was held on a $26,000 bond and more information will be provided later today.

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk released a quote from Smith when he talked to reporters while leaving the jail. It was another apology, but he wanted to let everybody know that he wasn’t under the influence.

"“The people who are faithful remain faithful,” Smith said. “Simple as this: Justice will be served, the truth will come out, there’s no DUI. I’m sorry for anybody I let down, I’m sorry for the way this whole thing [went down].”"

This is the third time that Smith has been linked to driving under the influence in just four years since entering the league in 2011. The two other occurrences happened in January 2012 and September 2013. The first ended up being brought down to reckless driving, while the second one resulted in him going to rehab and missing five games in 2013.

Nov 23, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) reacts after defensive end Ray McDonald (91) recorded a sack against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

While Smith may be focused on the drinking, his checkered past isn’t only linked to that. Later in 2012, he faced three felony weapons charges after a party he hosted went awry. In 2014, he told a TSA agent that he had a bomb when he was required to do a second screening.

Smith has already made the 49ers organization look bad multiple times, and he’s done it again. Just this week, Trent Baalke talked about how the linebacker was maturing and they were focused on resigning him (via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com). The actions aren’t so puzzling coming from Smith with his history. It’s simply perplexing why he’d even put himself in this situation so close to the season and being on good terms with the franchise.

Now the talented defender has seen his days in San Francisco come to an end. Where his career and life goes from here is up to Smith.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: 5 Key Stats

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