The football world was left stunned when the San Francisco 49ers announced Aldon Smith’s passing on June 13. Just 36, the once-dominant defensive star saw a brilliant career overshadowed by personal demons. As tributes poured in, Shannon Sharpe came forward to share his own personal take.

“You don't know the demons that a person is going through. You don't know what a person is dealing with. You don't know,” said Shannon Sharpe in his conversation with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and Joe Johnson on the Nightcap podcast on June 15.

Sharpe was visibly emotional about Smith's passing. He paused the usual high-energy sports banter to dedicate a somber segment to honoring Smith following the tragic news of his death at age 36.

The former NFL star explained how addiction can ruin a person's life. He also stressed that loneliness and failing to ask for help can be just as destructive. Using alcohol addiction as an example, Sharpe reflected on how his father struggled with those same issues.

“I know what it's like because my dad dealt with that. Yeah. And I know how I am. You know, I come on here, and I have, you know, one drink with you. I don't really drink. I don't drink when I'm out because I know myself. I have a very addictive personality. The same things that make you great make you fallible,” said Sharpe as he explained how addiction can ruin one’s life.

Sharpe drew parallels between his father’s battle with addiction and Smith’s crushing loneliness. Aldon Smith never married and was separated from his former girlfriend. Through his darkest moments, he leaned on his grandmother for strength. But when she passed away, Smith seemed to spiral deeper into the abyss.

Although the cause of his passing has not yet been released, the football community has come forward to pay its respects to one of the best defensive players in the game. That said, Smith's friend has since explained what happened on the day of his demise.

Friend Details Aldon Smith’s Heartbreaking Final Struggles

Smith was with a friend, Amir Shirazi, on the day of the tragedy. According to People, Shirazi called 911 after he "found Smith slumped over in the passenger seat of his truck."

Soon after that, Smith was rushed to San Jose’s Good Samaritan Hospital; however, he was declared deceased roughly one hour later.

Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, Shirazi explained that everything appeared fine at first, but things unraveled far too quickly.

“We were joking about life and talking about stuff right before,” Shirazi told. “He was perfectly fine an hour before.”

According to Scott Wagers, Smith seemed happy while everyone was sharing pizza, but there was something a little off about him.

“He got out of the car, and he looked maybe kind of tired,” Scott Wagers, who received one of the pizzas, told The Chronicle. “But he’s a giant man. I’m like, ‘Hey man, are you good? Are you good?’ and I said, ‘Can I take some pictures?’ So we took some pictures, we got the pizzas with my team, and we went and took all the pizza out there."

More details are emerging from the investigation, but the passing of the icon has caught the football fraternity off guard, with the sport mourning the loss of one of its finest talents.

Rest in peace, Aldon Smith.

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi