49ers LB Aldon Smith Talks Supension, Frustrated By Alcohol Questions

In today's 49ers news bulletin, San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith is as ready as ready can be to get back on the field after a nine-game suspension.

However, the questions about his past struggles with alcohol continue to dog the talented defensive force in advance of his 2014 season debut against the New York Giants.

"I'm done talking about alcohol," Smith said matter-of-factly to NFL.com's Michael Silver in an interview that will air on NFL Network's GameDay Morning on Sunday. "We've been on this subject a long time. We're talking about alcohol, and me getting stabbed ... this interview's getting a little dark."

Smith, to his credit, remained forthcoming and composed in the face of Silver's questioning. In fact, he opened up about what it means to him to almost have his promising NFL career taken away from him.

"Being away from something you love so much, you definitely grow to appreciate that," Smith said to Silver. "But then, you know, through the choices that you made ... you learn from those mistakes. Anytime you are faced with obstacles and things that become serious enough where you are going in and out of court and things like that, you realize how important the game is to you and just how easily (it can be) lost."

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