The San Francisco 49ers released outside linebacker Aldon Smith on Friday following his arrest by Santa Clara, Calif., police on Thursday night on suspicion of hit-and-run, DUI and vandalism.
“This organization has tried very hard to help Aldon fight his issues. Although he is no longer a member of this team, our support and concern for him will continue,” the team said in a statement.
An emotional head coach Jim Tomsula addressed the media shortly after the team’s decision, pleading to those with alcohol problems to get help.
“It’s a sad day,” the first-year 49ers coach said at a news conference Friday. “We’re not worried about football. This has nothing to do with football. … If one person out there reads this and you’re struggling, get help. Go get it. You’re worth it. We value every human being. Get the help. You don’t have to walk alone. Find it. It’s there.
“Although Aldon will not be playing football here, he will be supported. He will not be alone. … We saw a man fighting, working and trying. … Once again, real life, everyone has struggles. They’re just in different ways. … From our perspective, from him, we need the things that need to be addressed with 100 percent of everything he has.”
The Santa Clara Police Department said the 25-year-old Smith was booked with a bail of $26,000.
After being released from jail Friday, Smith denied that he had been driving drunk.
“The people who are faithful remain faithful,” Smith told ABC7 in San Francisco. “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. …
“I need to speak and I want everybody to understand, this wasn’t a DUI, the situation I had could have been handled differently and I apologize for everybody I did let down and I apologize for how it all played out. But as far as everything is concerned, it will work out the way it’s supposed to work out. That’s all.”
Smith served a nine-game suspension last season for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy and substances of abuse. In 2013 he was suspended five games following a DUI arrest and voluntarily checked himself into a treatment facility.
Smith received a 12-day sentence and three years of probation in July following a no-contest plea to three felony weapons charges and two misdemeanor DUI charges. The weapons charges and one of the DUI charges were in connection to a 2012 party at Smith’s residence where he was stabbed.
Smith has 44 sacks in the 50 games he has played since the 49ers selected him with the No. 7 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He recorded 14 sacks in his rookie season and 19.5 sacks in his second year. In 2014, he had just 15 tackles and two sacks in seven games.
General manager Trent Baalke recently said the 49ers had plans to keep Smith after restructuring his $9.75 million contract this season.
“Aldon’s like any young player, he’s growing up, he’s maturing. You see that with a lot of these guys,” Baalke said. “Some of them get themselves in a few more situations that you wish they didn’t. If you asked them, I think they’d say the same thing. Really pleased with the way he’s handled things, the way he’s working both personally and professionally.”