The family of former NFL defensive end Aldon Smith has taken legal action following his unexpected death on Saturday at the age of 36. In a statement released Tuesday, three attorneys representing the Smith family announced they have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his passing and will send his brain to medical experts in Boston to test for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Smith, who burst onto the scene as a rookie with 14 sacks and earned All-Pro honors with 19.5 sacks in his second season with the San Francisco 49ers, died over the weekend. No official cause of death has been released, but his family has pointed to the toll football may have taken on his health.
“As with anyone who dies so suddenly at such a young age, we understand that there is a great deal of interest in and speculation about Aldon Smith’s passing and we intend to get to the bottom of it,” attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers, and Wayne Kendall said in a joint statement. “To that end, we have taken a number of steps including sending his brain to Boston where medical experts will examine it for CTE as well as other damage caused by years of concussions and additional trauma.”
The family has indicated that Smith sustained multiple concussions during his six-year NFL career, which included stints with the 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks. The move to test for CTE echoes the growing awareness of brain injuries in sports and the long-term consequences for athletes.
Smith’s career was marked by both spectacular on-field production and significant off-field troubles. After being selected seventh overall by the 49ers in the 2011 draft, he quickly became one of the league’s most feared pass rushers, tallying 52.5 sacks in just 59 games. However, his trajectory was derailed by multiple arrests, including three DUIs, leading to a nine-game suspension in 2014 and his eventual release by San Francisco in 2015.
After a four-year absence from the NFL, Smith returned to play 16 games for the Cowboys in 2020. His attempted comeback with the Seahawks in 2021 ended abruptly after he was arrested on a second-degree battery charge. The outpouring of tributes from fans and former teammates has highlighted the complex legacy of a player whose immense talent was often overshadowed by personal struggles.
The 49ers released a statement mourning Smith’s death, calling him a “dominant force” on the field and remembering his “infectious smile.” The organization extended condolences to his family and all who knew him.
The legal team has asked for privacy as the family grieves and urged the public to keep them in their prayers. “In the meantime, we simply ask you to keep Aldon’s family in our prayers and respect their privacy as they struggle to come to grips with this terrible loss,” the attorneys added.
The investigation into Smith’s death is expected to take several weeks, with the CTE analysis potentially providing critical answers about the impact of his football career on his health.
