What happened: The family of Aldon Smith has announced they will donate his brain to the Boston University CTE Center to investigate potential neurological damage from his football career. Smith was found unresponsive in a vehicle on June 13, 2026, and his family has since hired a legal team to investigate the circumstances of his passing.
Why it matters: A dominant force for the San Francisco 49ers early in his career, Smith's legacy is defined by his elite pass-rushing ability and subsequent personal struggles. The investigation and medical testing seek to determine if repetitive head trauma contributed to the sudden death of the All-Pro defender.
By the numbers: Smith recorded 33.5 sacks in his first two NFL seasons, the most in league history for that span. His 19.5 sacks in 2012 remains the 49ers' single-season
What to watch: Results from the CTE examination and the official toxicology report are expected to take several months. Legal counsel for the family will continue their independent investigation into the events leading up to June 13.