Aldon Smith in interview published days before death: 'Definitely had better days'
Former 49ers defensive end Aldon Smith, 36, died after being found unresponsive in his car while delivering food for charity. A video interview days before his death showed him acknowledging personal hardship, including self-doubt and past challenges. The cause of death remains under investigation, while his family has requested a scan for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Friends reported attempting to revive him after discovery.
What changed
New details from a final interview confirm Smith’s struggles with self-worth and mental health, while his family’s push for a CTE scan adds urgency to understanding his death.
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Aldon Smith’s final interview reveals struggles before death; family seeks CTE answers
confidence 96%Former 49ers defensive end Aldon Smith, 36, died after being found unresponsive in his car while delivering food for charity. A video interview days before his death showed him acknowledging personal hardship, including self-doubt and past challenges. The cause of death remains under investigation, while his family has requested a scan for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Friends reported attempting to revive him after discovery.
What's confirmed:
- Aldon Smith stated in his final interview days before his death that he had 'better days' and struggled with self-worth, saying 'I never thought I was good enough.'
- Smith was found unresponsive in his vehicle while delivering food for a charity, with friends attempting to revive him after discovery.
- The cause of death remains under official investigation, with no ruling released by authorities.
- Smith’s family has requested a CTE scan to examine potential links between his death and past football-related injuries.
Still unconfirmed:
- A man who was with Smith before his death described the circumstances as 'unbelievable,' but no further details were provided.
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Aldon Smith's final interview: 'I've had better days' as death investigation continues
confidence 97%Former 49ers All-Pro Aldon Smith died at 36 after being found unresponsive in his car while delivering food to a charity. A video interview days before his death showed him acknowledging personal struggles. The cause of death remains under investigation, with no official ruling released. Friends reported attempts to revive him after he was discovered slumped in a vehicle.
What's confirmed:
- Aldon Smith was found unresponsive in his car on June 13, 2026, after delivering food to a homeless shelter.
- Friends attempted to revive Smith after discovering him slumped in the vehicle.
- A video interview released days before his death showed Smith stating, 'I’ve definitely had better days.'
- The cause of Smith’s death remains under investigation with no confirmed ruling from authorities.
- Smith had faced legal troubles and sobriety challenges in recent years, according to friends and media reports.
- Smith expressed gratitude for returning to the Bay Area in his final interview.
Still unconfirmed:
- Smith was struggling with personal demons, including addiction, before his death (source: single video interview).
- The video interview was conducted by celebrity barber Tee Maultsby (source: single report).
- Smith’s final hours involved delivering pizzas to a charity event (source: single friend account).
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Aldon Smith's final interview reveals struggles before sudden death at 36
confidence 98%Former 49ers All-Pro Aldon Smith was found unresponsive and died at 36 after spending his final hours delivering pizzas to a charity. A haunting interview published days before his death revealed he had faced personal struggles, including legal troubles and sobriety challenges. His death remains under investigation, with no confirmed cause released. Friends reported attempts to revive him after he was discovered slumped in a truck.
What's confirmed:
- Aldon Smith, a former NFL All-Pro linebacker and 2011 seventh overall pick by the 49ers, died at age 36 after being found unresponsive in a truck.
- His final hours were spent delivering pizzas to a charity serving homeless individuals before he was discovered unresponsive.
- A friend attempted to revive Smith in the truck where he was found, but he was later pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose.
- Smith discussed personal struggles, including legal troubles, sobriety, and post-football life in a three-part interview released days before his death.
- In the interview, Smith stated he had 'definitely had better days' and referenced 'something I think I’ve been dealing with my whole life'.
- The cause of death has not been publicly confirmed by authorities.
Still unconfirmed:
- Investigators are examining Smith’s final interview for possible insight into his death, though no direct link has been established.
- Speculation persists about whether his struggles contributed to his sudden death, but no official conclusions have been reached.