SAN FRANCISCO – 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, responding to questions regarding the arrest of Aldon Smith on suspicion of DUI and possession of marijuana, claimed the record setting volume of the Seattle Seahawks home crowd in the game between the two teams last weekend was a contributing factor in the linebacker’s current legal predicament.
“Look, I don’t want to blame Aldon’s problems completely on the Seahawks fans. But it certainly didn’t help,” said Harbaugh. “It’s pretty easy to draw a line here: Seahawks fans are ridiculously loud, giving them an unfair competitive advantage. As a result, we lost a game against a clearly inferior opponent. Therefore, Aldon sought to drown his sorrows, as any reasonable person would, with liquor, weed, and an early morning joyride. Frankly, I’m surprised the rest of the team wasn’t out doing the exact same thing.”
Added Harbaugh, “It just shows that Aldon cares more than most, I guess.”
Smith, 23, a former pro bowler and the 49ers record holder for sacks by a rookie with 14, is a valuable member of the team’s defense. But his off the field issues have thrown his playing status into doubt, a situation which Harbaugh deems unacceptable.
“If we lose Aldon for any length of time over this matter, I will be livid,” snarled the coach. “If anyone should be suspended for Aldon’s arrest, it should be the entire Seahawks starting lineup. I’m telling you, I haven’t been this pissed since that flagrant hold by (Baltimore CB) Jimmy Smith in the Super Bowl caused Michael Crabtree to injure his leg during our May minicamp.”
