NFL Will Investigate Oakland Raiders Linebacker Aldon Smith For Periscope Video

Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith will be investigated by the NFL to see if he has violated protocol for a suspended player seeking reinstatement to the league.

The NFL will be investigating a video circulating online that shows the hand of an unidentified man with a hand-rolled cigarette. There is an unidentified woman in the video, but the periscope video catches a quick glimpse of her before she reaches to redirect the phone away from her face. The woman in the video says “you shouldn’t even be posting that” and the male in the video can be heard coughing.

Smith has appeared in previous Periscope posts under the account “ravenga” in the last two months, which is the same account the video under investigation came from. Smith denies that he posted the video in a tweet.

Smith was suspended last November for violating NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse after he was charged with a hit and run, DUI and vandalism. He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement in September.

During the one year suspension a player needs to demonstrate the ability to be substance-free during the period of the ban. The player must state if they have used substance, in what instances and to what degree.

Smith has a history of substance abuse problems. He spent time in rehab in 2013 and served a nine-game suspension in 2014. Smith was cut by the San Francisco 49ers last year before moving on to the Raiders. He reportedly resigned with the Raiders in April, agreeing to a two-year deal.

Article by Lindsey Horsting