SAN JOSE, Calif. • The San Francisco 49ers released star linebacker Aldon Smith just hours after his fifth arrest in the last three years, the second time since December the team has cut loose a player after embarrassing off-the-field incidents.
Smith, a standout defensive end at the University of Missouri in 2009-10, was a first-round pick of the 49ers and the No. 7 overall selection in the 2011 NFL draft.
“The San Francisco 49ers have released linebacker Aldon Smith,” the team said in a press release emailed Friday.
“This organization has tried very hard to help Aldon fight his issues.