Family of Aldon Smith having his brain checked for CTE - ESPN

The family of Aldon Smith has decided to send his brain to medical experts in Boston to see whether chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) played a role in the former NFL defensive lineman's death.

Smith died Saturday at the age of 36, hours after he had delivered pizzas to a homeless charity.

No cause of death has been given. Smith's family has hired attorneys to help investigate his death.

«As with anyone who dies so suddenly at such a young age, we understand that there is a great deal of interest in and speculation about Aldon Smith's passing and we intend to get to the bottom of it,» attorneys Harry Daniels, Bakari Sellers and Wayne Kendall said Tuesday in a statement. «To that end, we have taken a number of steps including sending his brain to Boston where medical experts will examine it for CTE as well as other damage caused by years of concussions and additional trauma.

»In the meantime, we simply ask you to keep Aldon's family in our prayers and respect their privacy as they struggle to come to grips with this terrible loss."

CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has been found in athletes in contact sports, combat veterans and others exposed to repetitive head trauma. It has been known to cause violent mood swings, impulsive behavior and depression. It can only be diagnosed after death.

According to the family, Smith suffered numerous concussions during his NFL career.

As a rookie, Smith burst on the scene with 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits on his way to finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year balloting. He followed with his best NFL season in 2012, posting 19.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits as he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Those 19.5 sacks still stand as a 49ers franchise record for a