Fansided

Aldon Smith maintains his arrest wasn’t for DUI and justice will be served

By Kyle Franzoni

September 22, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) walks off the field after the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 22, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) walks off the field after the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has been released from jail but is maintaining his innocence on a DUI charge.

Aldon Smith is no stranger to issues with the law. The San Francisco 49ers linebacker has twice faced charges of driving under the influence, in addition to illegal possession of an assault weapon and a potential bomb threat in Los Angeles International Airport. His latest arrest won’t help his image as one of the NFL’s most troubled players.

Next: NFL 2015: Players with the most to prove

Smith was released from jail Friday morning after being arrested overnight for DUI, vandalism, and a hit and run violation. However after posting bond and being released from prison this morning, Smith was eager to plead his case to the media, maintaining that the incident was not a DUI and that he was eager to prove his case in court.

"“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 . . . 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.” (h/t Pro Football Talk)"

Given the fact that Smith has twice before been arrested and charged with DUI, a third strike is the last thing he wants on his record. His last DUI arrest resulted in a nine-game suspension, which allowed Smith to appear in just 7 games in 2014. A third arrest will undoubtedly bring the wrath of Roger Goodell down on the troubled Niner and could result in a year-long ban from the game.

Interestingly enough, Smith was very deliberate in noting that there was no DUI committed here. However, he doesn’t address a number of other worries here:

  • Someone arrested on a DUI and having Smith’s past issues with alcohol would undoubtedly discuss their sobriety as part of their defense. Smith does not do that here, instead just maintaining that he wasn’t driving under the influence.
  • Smith does elaborate to a situation he “could have handled differently”. That is almost an acknowledgement that he did in fact have a motor vehicle accident and left the scene, hence the vandalism and hit and run charges.

That’s a lot to sort out and I’m sure regardless of the DUI issue, the NFL isn’t going to be overly happy to have Aldon Smith back in the disciplinary queue once again. He’s looking at some potential prison time and the possibility of a lengthy suspension from the league.

It may be a good time for Aldon Smith to start interviewing chauffeurs.

(h/t Pro Football Talk)

Next: X-Factors for all 32 NFL teams

More from NFL

Home/NFL