The death of former NFL star Aldon Smith remains under investigation, with authorities yet to determine an official cause nearly a week after the former San Francisco 49ers pass rusher died at the age of 36.
Smith died on June 13 in Santa Clara County, California. According to reports, he had spent part of the morning helping deliver donated pizzas to a charity serving homeless people. A friend, Amir Shirazi, later found him unresponsive while sitting in a vehicle after the two returned from the delivery.
Shirazi told local media that Smith appeared healthy and alert shortly before the incident. He said the sudden nature of the death left him shocked.
Smith was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later. As of June 17, the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner had not announced a cause of death.
Officials confirmed that an autopsy has been completed, but the cause and manner of death remain pending while the investigation continues. The medical examiner’s office said no additional information is currently available.
The uncertainty surrounding Smith’s death has prompted his family to hire legal counsel to examine the circumstances involved. Attorneys representing family members said they intend to investigate all aspects of the case and determine what may have contributed to the former player’s sudden passing.
The legal team also confirmed that Smith’s brain has been sent to medical specialists in Boston for examination. Experts will look for signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE, along with any other damage linked to years of head impacts and football-related trauma.
CTE is a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head injuries. Medical experts say the condition can only be definitively diagnosed after death through examination of brain tissue. There is currently no cure for the disease.
In the days before his death, Smith spoke openly about personal struggles during an interview. While he acknowledged facing difficult periods in his life, he also said he was grateful and trying to focus on that perspective.
Friends described Smith as kind and caring despite challenges that followed his NFL career. Shirazi said Smith had been facing financial difficulties and often stayed with friends while waiting to become eligible for NFL pension benefits later in life.
Smith entered the NFL as the seventh overall pick in the 2011 draft after playing at the University of Missouri. He quickly became one of the league’s most feared pass rushers and finished his professional career with 52.5 sacks across six seasons.
He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, appearing in 75 regular-season games. His career was also marked by suspensions and personal struggles that kept him away from football for several years.
Former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who drafted Smith in 2011, described the news as tragic. Harbaugh remembered him as a friend, teammate and a person who was widely loved by those around him.
For now, the questions surrounding Smith’s death remain unanswered. The findings from the medical examiner and the family’s independent review may provide a clearer picture in the weeks ahead.
