Former 49ers Defensive Lineman Aldon Smith Passes Away at 36

Tragic.

Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

This is tragic.

Former 49ers defensive lineman Aldon Smith died today, according to the team. He was just 36 years old. No details of his passing have been reported yet.

The 49ers just released the following statement:

“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith. Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into. Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon.”

Smith played for the 49ers from 2011 to 2014. At one point in his career, he might have been the best player in the NFL. He recorded 19.5 sacks in 2012 and was first-team All-Pro. He was one of the most talented players in franchise history.

My deepest condolences to his family. Rest in peace.

UPDATE: Here are the details of the day of Smith's death.

Smith spent the morning with Amir Shirazi, a 48-year-old 49ers fan who befriended players on the team, such as Smith and Patrick Willis, between 2010 and 2015.

It's unclear if Smith was staying with Shirazi. Smith recently said in an interview that he was working at a roofing company in Texas and living out of an extended stay hotel before he came to California to speak to the 49ers' rookies last week.

On Saturday morning, Shirazi and Smith delivered 10 Little Caesars pizzas to Scott Wagers, who runs a local charity that feeds homeless people. Wagers was not expecting Smith to be there -- apparently, Shirazi didn't tell Wagers that he was bringing Smith. Wagers noted that Smith seemed tired and asked Smith if he was alright. Then they took a picture together.

According to Shirazi, he and Smith left Wagers' house and drove to a grocery store, then to a gas station, and then to Shirazi's house in Los Gatos to turn on lights in his house at noon. That's what Shirazi told The Chronicle.

Shirazi ran inside his house to turn on the lights during the middle of the day, then came back out to the car to find Smith "basically dead," slumped over in the front passenger seat, mouth open. It's unclear how long Shirazi was inside. An hour earlier, he said Smith seemed perfectly fine, although Wagers' perception of Smith was different.

Shirazi called 911 and former 49ers running back Anthony Dixon to help give Smith CPR, but it was too late. He was pronounced dead on arrival when he got to Good Samaritan Hospital at 12:46 p.m.

Shirazi says he thinks Smith died of natural causes -- perhaps a heart attack. A toxicology report will come out in a few weeks and should provide some clarity as to the actual cause of death.