Aldon Smith faces battery charge in Louisiana days after signing with Seahawks
Aldon Smith’s feel-good story was put on hold Monday with the news that the Seattle Seahawks edge rusher is facing legal issues from an incident at a coffee house in Chalmette, Louisiana.
According to a news release from St. Bernard Parish District Attorney Perry Nicosia, Smith is wanted for second-degree battery.
“On the evening of April 17, 2021 at the French Press Coffee House . . . Mr. Smith caused severe injuries to a male victim that warranted a state court judge to sign an arrest warrant,” the statement said.
The investigation was listed as “ongoing” and Smith is “still at large.”
The warrant was issued two days after Smith, 31, signed a contract to play for Seattle in 2021.
Smith played all 16 games for Dallas in 2020 with five sacks after being reinstated following four years of suspensions under the NFL’s substance abuse policy stemming from alcoholism and legal troubles.
Smith had last played for the Raiders in 2015, where he signed as a free agent following his release for the 49ers after an arrest for DUI, hit-and-run and vandalism. Smith had served a nine-game suspension before being suspended indefinitely.
Depending on the outcome, the charges could put Smith in jeopardy of league discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
In his first two seasons with the 49ers, Smith had 33 1/2 sacks and 44 of his 52 1/2 career sacks came with San Francisco.