Aldon Smith's Family Pursues CTE Testing for His Brain

WHO:

TMZ - Aldon Smith's family is involved in the investigation of his death.

ESPN - Attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers, and Wayne Kendall are representing Smith's family.

WHAT:

ESPN - Smith's family has stated, "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."

ESPN - Smith's family has requested that the public "keep Aldon's family in our prayers and respect their privacy as they struggle to come to grips with this terrible loss."

Fox News - Aldon Smith's family will donate his brain to the Boston University CTE Center for examination following his sudden death at age 36.

ESPN - Smith's family intends to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death, stating, "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."

TMZ - Smith's family is sending his brain to Boston to determine if he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

ESPN - Smith died at the age of 36.

ESPN - Smith delivered pizzas to a homeless charity hours before his death.

ESPN - Smith suffered numerous concussions during his NFL career.

ESPN - Smith had 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits as a rookie.

ESPN - In 2012, Smith recorded 19.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.

WHERE:

Mercury News - Smith died at San Jose’s Good Samaritan Hospital after a medical emergency in Los Gatos.

TMZ - Smith's brain is being sent to Boston for examination.

ESPN - Smith was involved in incidents in Miami and San Jose related to DUI arrests.

WHEN:

ESPN - Smith's death occurred on a Saturday.

ESPN - Smith was released by the 49ers on August 7, 2015.

ESPN - Smith signed with the Raiders in September 2015.

ESPN - Smith was conditionally reinstated by the NFL in May 2020.

ESPN - Smith's last sack occurred against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 1, 2020.

ESPN - Smith was waived by the Seahawks on August 11, 2021.

ESPN - Smith launched the "I.M. Loading" initiative in 2024.

WHY:

Mercury News - No cause of death has been given by the Santa Clara Medical Examiner’s Office for the 36-year-old’s death.

ESPN - The family is investigating Smith's death due to the "great deal of interest in and speculation" surrounding it.

ESPN - The family is investigating Smith's death due to the sudden nature of it and the interest surrounding it.

ESPN - CTE is a degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive head trauma, which can cause mood swings, impulsive behavior, and depression.

HOW:

Mercury News - Smith's family hired civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers, and Wayne Kendall in the wake of the former NFL star’s death.

Mercury News - Smith's family intends to have his brain studied by CTE experts, according to a family statement released Tuesday.

ESPN - The family has taken steps including sending his brain to Boston for examination by medical experts for CTE and other damage caused by concussions.

ESPN - The family has hired a legal team to assist in the investigation of Smith's death.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 04:22 UTC)

Former NFL star Smith has died at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose following a medical emergency in Los Gatos, but the Santa Clara Medical Examiner's Office has not yet provided a cause of death for the 36-year-old. In response to this tragic event, Smith's family has enlisted civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers, and Wayne Kendall to assist them. Additionally, they plan to have his brain examined by CTE experts, as stated in a family announcement released on Tuesday.

(UPDATED June 16, 2026 20:10 UTC)

Smith's family has announced that they are sending his brain to Boston for examination by medical experts to investigate potential CTE and other damage from years of concussions and trauma. They have also requested that the public keep Aldon's family in their prayers and respect their privacy during this difficult time. This investigation comes in response to the significant interest and speculation surrounding Smith's death.

(UPDATED June 16, 2026 18:33 UTC)

Aldon Smith's family has announced they will donate his brain to the Boston University CTE Center for examination following his sudden death at the age of 36. They are also looking into the circumstances surrounding his passing, expressing their desire to address the interest and speculation that often accompanies such unexpected losses. To that end, they have initiated steps to have medical experts examine his brain for CTE and other concussion-related damage.

(UPDATED June 16, 2026 16:31 UTC)

Aldon Smith's family is actively involved in the investigation of his death, hiring attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers, and Wayne Kendall to represent them. They are sending Smith's brain to Boston for examination to determine if he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma, which he experienced during his NFL career. Smith, who died at the age of 36, had a notable history in football, including a standout rookie season with 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits, and he was engaged in charitable work just hours before his passing.