The NFL handed San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith a nine-game suspension for violating its personal conduct and substance-abuse policies.
He can't rejoin the team until Nov. 10, according to The Associated Press.
In a statement, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said: "Our organization has known this decision would come and we have prepared for it as a team. Aldon has taken responsibility for his actions and has continued to show growth personally and professionally. We will continue to support him, but it is time to put this matter behind us and focus on the season ahead."
According to ESPN, Smith stands to lose $1.24 million of his $2.34 million salary due to his suspension. A source told the website that the All-Pro will be suspended for four games for substance abuse policy violation, and five games for personal conduct policy violation.
Smith, 24, is one of the league's best pass rushers. But he has had too many run-ins with the law. Last July, he was sentenced to three years of probation and was required to spend 11 days with a work crew after pleading no contest to drunken driving and weapons charges.
Last April, he was arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport after he was randomly chosen for secondary screening. He was uncooperative with the process, even telling an agent that he had a bomb. Fortunately, there were no charges filed against him.
In September last year, he was arrested for DUI and consequently missed five games last season for treatment at an in-patient facility. Smith has repeatedly stated he has been sober since then.
In November, he pleaded not guilty to three counts of illegal position of an assault weapon that was found at his home.
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