Former NFL star Aldon Smith dies at 36 amid CTE investigation

Former NFL star Aldon Smith has died suddenly at the age of 36. His family has taken steps to investigate the cause, including sending his brain for medical examination. Smith was once a rising talent in American football. The San Francisco 49ers selected him seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he recorded 14 sacks, and in 2012, he set a franchise record with 19.5 sacks.

His career faced setbacks due to off-field issues. Repeated suspensions and personal struggles kept him out of the sport for four seasons. Despite these challenges, he remained active in his community. In the hours before his death, he was delivering pizzas to a charity supporting homeless individuals.

Smith was found deceased in a friend’s Chevy pickup truck. No official cause of death has been announced. His family has hired attorneys to look into the circumstances. They have also arranged for his brain to be studied by experts in Boston to check for CTE, a brain disease linked to repeated head injuries. The investigation into Smith’s death is ongoing. Medical experts will examine whether CTE contributed to his passing. Authorities have not yet released further details about the incident.