You love to see it. It’s been FOUR YEARS since Aldon Smith put on an NFL uniform when he played in 9 games for the Raiders in 2015. And now he’s back, signing on with the Cowboys, according to FOX’s Jay Glazer.
Breaking: The #dallascowboys have signed former Pro Bowl LB/DE Aldon Smith to a one-year, marking the end of a 4-year absence. Clean and sober now, incredible how much he’s turned his life around. @NFLonFOX @dallascowboys
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 2, 2020
The former All-Pro put up 33.5 sacks his first two NFL seasons. Then substance abuse began tearing down his NFL career. He was cut by the 49ers two seasons after a 19.5-sack season due to multiple DUI arrests and when the league had yet to suspend him, the Raiders signed him until that happened.
After nine games in Oakland putting up 3.5 sacks, he was received NFL banishment. He may have been able to return the following offseason, but several other instances of substance abuse, usually alcohol, as well as a domestic abuse incident, kept him out.
You root for anyone with his immense talent to turn his life around. It appears at least for now he has.
Over the past year, Smith has been working out in Glazer’s gym staying clean and sober and attempting to make his way back into the league at the age of 30. As of late January, Glazer said Smith was ready to return to the NFL. But Smith being ready and an NFL team being ready to give him a shot are two very different things. The Cowboys are apparently ready, so we could see Aldon Smith back in the NFL this season.
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