Aldon Smith hopes to encourage players entering the NFL to embrace their mental health through sharing the lessons learned from his professional football career. The former defensive end is working with both the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars this season as a mentor for their respective rookie classes.
Smith served six months in jail in 2023 for a felony DUI he committed in 2021, rear-ending a work truck on an off-ramp. 'I say this in the most genuine way: I'm grateful for my journey so far because of where I am now,' Smith said about not dwelling on the past. 'Just my plan, how I want to interact with this world I'm in and the people I get to meet, I don't think it would have been possible if I didn't have the journey I've had so far.