San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith is eligible to return to the team this week after serving a nine-game suspension. However, he will have to pay the team in order to see the field.
Smith's salary for his reduced season will be $1.099 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. After taxes, that amounts to roughly $525,000. San Francisco will take that entire amount from his game checks over the rest of this season because Smith owes the team money due to a signing bonus forfeiture.
That won't cover his entire debt, however. In fact, the team will seek another $661,000 after the season.
As @AdamSchefter reported, 49ers Aldon Smith might be the first NFL player to ever PAY to play. pic.twitter.com/zKkalOxjCH
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 9, 2014
Smith did not fulfill the obligations assigned to him within his counseling protocol, preventing him from receiving a reduced suspension and possibly playing this Sunday.
Smith was a first round selection in the 2011 NFL draft. He made the Pro Bowl in 2012 after recording 19.5 sacks. However, the talented pass rusher has run into several legal issues since 2012. He's been arrested twice for driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, and making a bomb threat joke at LAX.
