Today's the day. When Aldon Smith's one-year NFL suspension expires. While we still don't know if he will be reinstated -- that's up to the commissioner -- Smith has put out his second video on his comeback. His video on Wednesday was titled "The Greatest Comeback Ever" and it was just footage of him working out set to music. Today, he released a video in which he spoke.
"I feel really good. The training's been good," said Smith in the video.
He is attempting to prove to the commissioner and the rest of the league that he is committed to turning his career around and is ready to return to his Raiders teammates and to the NFL. The former All Pro pass rusher has been exiled from both for a calendar year following another of several DUI arrests.
"Life is always about the choices you make," Smith continued. "You're always going to be surrounded by things that work to your favor and things that work against you. Gotta adapt to whatever and figure out how you want to live your life. You got people that... are good influences and who want what's best in your life. It makes it easy to stay away from the negative. So, focusing on positive is something that's beneficial to your life, to your health and it pays off in the long run."
His Raiders teammates and coaches could have been a major positive influence over this time, but due to NFL substance abuse policy, he was banned from the team facility and forbidden from being in contact with his coaches.
The archaic rule aside, Smith is now a year older and perhaps a year wiser from this experience.
"I won't take no for an answer. I won't be defeated," he said. "You gotta understand it's your life. You control you. You can't let anyone else control you no matter what they try to do to you. Most importantly, God put you here for a reason, so make the best of your life and your situation and be a blessing to somebody else and show the world what you're worth."
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