NFL Star Aldon Smith’s Sudden Death Prompts Brain Donation for CTE Research

On Saturday, former NFL defensive end Aldon Smith was discovered slumped in the front passenger seat of his car after delivering pizzas for a San Francisco Bay homeless-charity. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead; no cause of death has been released. Smith’s family retained attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers and Wayne Kendall, who arranged for his brain to be sent to the Boston University CTE Center for examination of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and related trauma.

The Independent

Smith entered the NFL in 2011 as the seventh overall pick of the San Francisco 49ers. He posted a franchise-record 19½ sacks in 2012 and totaled 33½ sacks in his first two seasons, the most ever in that span. Beginning in 2013, a series of DUI arrests, a rehab stint and subsequent suspensions disrupted his career. The 49ers released him in August 2015; he later played briefly for the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys (2020) and signed with Seattle before being cut in training camp. A six-month jail term for a 2023 DUI marked his final exit from the NFL.

Aldon Smith's brain donated to CTE Center as family's attorneys investigate his death at age 36

The attorneys said the case has drawn public interest, outlined the brain-donation step, and asked for privacy while the investigation continues. No cause of death has been disclosed.

The Independent

• “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,” — Harry Daniels, attorney

Aldon Smith's brain donated to CTE Center as family's attorneys investigate his death at age 36

• “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.” — Bakari Sellers, attorney

Aldon Smith's brain donated to CTE Center as family's attorneys investigate his death at age 36

• “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.” — Wayne Kendall, attorney

Aldon Smith's brain donated to CTE Center as family's attorneys investigate his death at age 36

• “He was a creative mind, so smart, so fierce, so real, so powerful, his presence, his passion and his aura meant a lot to me as a brother and I wish I could’ve did more to help him and pray to God he doesn’t have to hurt anymore,” — Anthony Dixon

Aldon Smith's brain donated to CTE Center as family's attorneys investigate his death at age 36

Sources confirm Smith’s death and brain donation but uniformly note that no cause of death has been released. The family’s attorneys have not yet provided public findings.

The Independent

The Boston University CTE Center will analyze Smith’s brain; findings may inform research on head trauma and future NFL health policies.

The Independent