Aldon Smith was dominant all season long. Some players have touchdown celebration, but for Smith, when he sacks a quarterback he has a different type of celebration. It's not a dance and he's not mimicking anybody, he runs off the field.
Why?
Before we explain, in case you haven't seen it. Here's the "celebration."
Smith sacks the quarterback and you might think he was injured or something, but he's in full stride, not limping and running at a fast pace. He sits down and he's happy. There is nothing wrong with Smith.
So why does the second year player out of Missouri run to bench?
The job is done.
Sacking the quarterback is what a defensive lineman is supposed to do. For the New York Jets, sometimes the offensive lineman contributes to the sack, but they're a special case.
Smith has had plenty experience sacking quarterbacks in his first two seasons in the NFL, so much so that he has the most sacks in the history of the game after just two seasons.
In 2011, he introduced himself to the league and quarterbacks by picking up 14 sacks. Then in 2012, Smith almost introduced himself to the single-season record books challenging Michael Strahan's sack record of 22.5 set in 2001.
Smith has shown determination, talent and even wisdom. Another reason why he runs off the field is because referees can't throw a flag on that celebration. The NFL has made it clear that they are not allowing excessive celebrations like the ones Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson performed for years while they dominated the league.
The sack celebration is similar to that of Forrest Gump's when he just keeps running into the locker room after running back a kickoff. This was the best clip we could find sorry for the music.
The celebration doesn't rile up the opponent because it's harmless. When was the last time people got mad at a guy for running off the field? If anything, the opponent actually wishes Smith stayed on the bench.
Smith hasn't sacked a quarterback in his last five games due to an injured Justin Smith who opened up holes for Aldon. As the 49ers get ready for Super XLVII, let's see if Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens will avoid Aldon from doing his celebration.