In the wake of Aldon Smith’s DUI and marijuana possession arrest in San Jose, California on Friday morning – he decided to address his health issues by taking self-imposed leave from the National Football League and the San Francisco 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke issued a statement, says Sporting News, claiming that "Aldon Smith is taking a leave of absence to address a personal matter” – this was later confirmed by the 49ers Twitter account:
LB Aldon Smith will take an indefinite leave from the team. http://t.co/dTKGARU006
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 23, 2013
Simultaneously, Smith addressed his decision to leave the league, which the team re-Tweeted in support of their comrade’s recovery as he simultaneously decided to better his life, health and avoid harsh punishment as a repercussion for his actions:
#49ers @AldonSmith: ““I am taking a leave of absence to address my health. I am sorry that I have affected my team…” http://t.co/F8rNt8Yn80
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 23, 2013
CBS Sports also confirmed Smith’s leave from the 49ers through a statement issued by the team’s CEO Jed York and have reported that he has been added to the reserve/non-football injury list beginning on Monday, September 23. An insider for CBS claims that Smith is headed to a rehab and therapeutic facility to aid him in his endeavor. Smith’s arrest comes as the latest in a string of troubling incidents, which the NFL does not regard lightly.