Aldon Smith's family makes major decision about his brain after tragic passing

Aldon Smith's death at 36 has prompted his family to seek answers about the late NFL pass rusher's brain. The former 49ers standout, drafted seventh overall in 2011, recorded 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons and earned All-Pro honors in 2012 with 19.5 sacks. Following later career with the Raiders and Cowboys, his life was marked by suspensions and legal issues. With no official cause of death released, his family’s attorneys said they would pursue brain analysis in Boston to look for CTE and other trauma linked to years of concussions and repeated head impacts. The move underscores a broader NFL concern about long-term effects of repeated collisions. According to ESPN, the family has sent Smith's brain to medical experts for examination, noting that the test will examine both CTE and additional damage from football years. Attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers, and Wayne Kendall said the purpose is to establish facts rather than speculation. The narrative recalls Smith's early promise—peaking with a 19.5-sack season in 2012—and acknowledges how his career later endured suspensions that overshadowed his athletic achievements. The family emphasizes a careful, fact-based approach as they navigate a difficult time and seek clarity about the circumstances surrounding his passing.