Jay Glazer Reveals Aldon Smith Signed Cowboys Contract in Front of His Son — ‘This One Definitely Hurts’

When Aldon Smith stepped back onto an NFL field in 2020 after a four-year absence, few knew the full story of what it took to get him there. Now, following the former San Francisco 49ers linebacker’s passing, Fox NFL Kickoff reporter Jay Glazer has opened up about the deeply personal journey they shared — and one moment that still stands out as uniquely special.

Glazer took to X after the news broke, writing that he was “beyond gutted” by the loss. But rather than dwell on the tragedy, he focused on the work they did together, first through the Merging Vets and Players (MVP) program and then through Glazer’s Unbreakable Performance initiative. Smith had been out of the league since 2015 after a series of off-field issues, but his relationship with Glazer — built on honesty, vulnerability, and brotherhood — helped pave the way back.

The Signing No One Saw Coming

According to Glazer, the moment Smith signed his contract with the Dallas Cowboys wasn’t just about football. It happened at Glazer’s house, in front of his young son Sammy. Smith specifically wanted the boy to witness it, to see that anything is possible after hardship. “He wanted to sign it in front of my son Sammy so he would be proud too as he had a front row seat to it all,” Glazer wrote. “Soooo proud, through the ups and downs, still so proud! And I always will be.”

That image — a veteran pass rusher signing an NFL contract in a living room with a child watching — encapsulates a bond that Glazer says went far beyond being a mentor or a coach.

A Brotherhood Forged in Struggle

Glazer emphasized that their relationship was a two-way street. “I was proud of what we learned from each other and the brotherhood bond we formed,” he wrote. Smith had been a star with the 49ers before his career spiraled, but through the MVP program — which pairs military veterans with former pro athletes — he found a new sense of purpose. Glazer noted that after four years out, Smith proved “anything is possible.”

The timeline of Smith’s comeback is remarkable. From a league suspension in 2016 to being reinstated in 2020, he played 16 games for the Cowboys, recording five sacks and showing flashes of the dominance that once made him one of the NFL’s scariest defenders.

Fans online have flooded social media with tributes, many pointing to Glazer’s letter as a testament to how powerful second chances can be when backed by real support.

“This one definitely hurts. RIP my brother,” Glazer concluded. The sentiment echoes what many around the league are feeling: a mix of admiration for Smith’s fight and sorrow for a life cut short far too soon.