49ers: Top 30 moments in San Francisco franchise history

San Francisco 49ers: Top 30 all-time moments in franchise history

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 10: (L-R) Former San Francisco 49er players Steve Young, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana stand with a Super Bowl trophy during a public memorial service for former 49ers coach Bill Walsh August 10, 2007 at Monster Park in San Francisco, California. NFL Hall of Famer Bill Walsh, who was known by many as 'The Genius' for leading the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl championships, died last week at the age of 75 after a long battle with leukemia. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /

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Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (99) warms up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 23: Aldon Smith’s 2011 and 2012 Campaigns

Linebacker Aldon Smith may no longer be a member of the 49ers, and his tenure with the team will likely be remembered primarily for off-the-field incidents and substance-abuse problems.

But one cannot overlook the sheer pass-rushing prowess Smith displayed in his first two seasons in San Francisco after being selected 7th overall by the 49ers in the 2011 NFL draft.

Smith broke the NFL record for most sacks by a rookie with 14 takedowns in 2011. And he nearly overtook the all-time season record for sacks the following season after a 19.5-sack effort. That year, he was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Year for what was, truly, a remarkable performance.

Unfortunately for Smith and the 49ers, the talented linebacker experienced more than his fair share of troubles off the field as was released by the organization prior to the 2015 season.