By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA, Calif.— Friday afternoon was an emotional one for the San Francisco 49ers, as they announced the release of star outside linebacker, Aldon Smith. The release came after news broke that Smith was arrested in Santa Clara County on Thursday night. The 25-year old was charged with hit and run, driving under the influence, and vandalism due to a reported altercation with a neighbor.

Thursday night’s arrest marks Smith’s fifth arrest since just 2012, and the third to involve alcohol supposedly. Thus showing his off the field activity just got in the way too much of his outstanding on the field performance. New 49ers coach, Jim Tomsula, pointed this out during Friday morning’s press conference, “this is a day that doesn’t have anything to do with football. Although he won’t be playing football for the San Francisco 49ers, he will be supported and he helped and he will not have to walk this path alone. We’re not worried about football. It has nothing to do with football”.

As expected, the news seemed to shock the team, as Tomsula reported, “It was unique. It was sadness. That’s what it was. Sadness for a guy, a person. Guys care about, we care about that guy deeply”.

Teammates of Smith had nothing but amazing things to say about him, as 49ers receiver, Anquan Boldin, chimed in on the departure of his teammate, “I think it was just a shock from everybody. It’s a tough loss for us, Aldon is a great football player. It’s tough to replace someone like him, but for me it’s not about football with him, it’s just making sure he’s okay as a person, but as team we have to move forward. We have no choice”.

Linebacker, Anton Bethea added “It’s tough, but at the end of the day, I just wish nothing but the best for him”.

Fortunately for Smith, this will be a wake up call. It gives him a chance to get his off the field issues together, and get his life together. The 49ers gave him as many chances as they possibly could, but things get to a point to where it’s time to cut the ties and move on. That’s exactly what they did on Friday. They did so with grace, as they still showed support for their former linebacker.

Smith becomes a free agent immediately with the release and will be available for pick-up by any team. However, with this in mind, teams are most likely going to be hands off until they figure out Smith’s future with the NFL, and to see what any other actions could be handed down by commissioner, Rodger Goodell.

Smith is officially the seventh standout 49ers’ defensive player from last season to not be returning to the team, as he joins the list of Chris Borland, Perrish Cox, Chris Culliver, Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, and Patrick Willis.