The family of former NFL star Aldon Smith has announced that his brain will be examined for signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) following his sudden death at age 36. The move comes as relatives seek answers about the circumstances surrounding the former San Francisco 49ers standout's death and whether years of football-related head trauma may have played a role.
Smith died on June 13, 2026. While an official cause of death has not yet been released, his family has retained legal counsel and requested further investigation into his passing.
According to reports cited by ESPN and The Athletics, Smith's family believes repeated head trauma sustained during his football career may have contributed to his health struggles. Attorneys representing the family stated that they intend to determine whether CTE or another brain trauma-related condition played a role in his death.
According to the NIH (National Institutes of Health), CTE is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disease associated with repeated head impacts, including concussions and subconcussive blows. It is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of tau protein in the brain, which gradually damages brain cells and affects thinking, mood, behavior, and memory. 2
CTE has been mostly found in athletes involved in contact sports and in military personnel exposed to repetitive head trauma.
Caused by repeated head impacts over time.
Progressive condition that worsens gradually.
Associated with abnormal deposits of tau protein in the brain.
Can affect cognition, behavior, mood, and motor function.
Symptoms may appear years or even decades after the head injuries occurred.
Research has shown that the risk of CTE increases with greater exposure to repetitive head impacts. A study of deceased football players found that each additional year of football participation was associated with a 15% increase in the odds of developing CTE and a 14% increase in the odds of developing severe CTE.
The study has found a dose-response relationship, meaning that longer participation in contact sports is associated with a higher risk and greater severity of the disease. Repeated impacts can trigger biological changes in the brain, including chronic inflammation and progressive damage to nerve cells, which may contribute to the development of CTE over time. 3
Because CTE develops slowly, symptoms often do not appear until years or even decades after the injuries occurred, making it difficult to recognize the long-term effects of repeated head trauma.
No validated blood test exists to confirm CTE.
Standard brain scans such as CT or MRI cannot reliably detect the characteristic tau pathology.
Many symptoms overlap with other neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, depression, and Parkinsonism.
A definitive diagnosis requires direct microscopic examination of brain tissue, which is only possible after death.
Aldon Smith was found unconscious in a vehicle and was later transported to a hospital in San Jose, California, where he was pronounced dead. CPR was reportedly administered before his arrival at the hospital. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a cause of death.
Smith had been involved in charitable activities shortly before his death, including helping deliver pizzas for a homeless outreach initiative.
Aldon Smith was selected seventh overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Missouri. He quickly emerged as one of the league's most dominant pass rushers.
During his rookie season, Smith earned All-Rookie honors. In 2012, he recorded 19.5 sacks, setting a franchise single-season record and earning First-Team All-Pro recognition.
In a statement, the San Francisco 49ers expressed sadness over Smith's death and extended condolences to his family and loved ones. The organization remembered him not only as an exceptional football player but also as a person known for his warmth and infectious personality.
Reference:
1. McKee, Ann C., Robert A. Stern, C. Dirk Keene, and Victor E. Alvarez. "The Spectrum of Disease in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy." Brain 138, no. 1 (2015): 43–64. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4255271/
2. Munakomi, Sunil, and Yana Puckett. "Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy." In StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing, updated October 6, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541013/.
3. Alosco, Michael L., Jesse Mez, Yorghos Tripodis, et al. "Association of Duration of American Football Play With Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy." Annals of Neurology 87, no. 1 (2020): 116-131. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.25611.
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