The teenage son of former NFL defensive end Aldon Smith has been designated as the sole beneficiary of his late father's estate, according to court filings submitted by the child's guardian.
Court documents obtained by TMZ indicate that Aldon Smith left behind personal property, though the total value of those assets remains undisclosed. The paperwork identifies 13-year-old Aulis Smith as the only heir to the former professional athlete's holdings.
The filings confirm that Aldon Smith was unmarried at the time of his death and had no additional children or any on the way. Aulis Smith stands as his father's only child and will receive the entirety of the estate.
Aldon Smith died in June at 36 years old. A friend discovered the former defensive standout unresponsive inside a truck. Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death, and the circumstances surrounding his passing remain under investigation.
Smith's professional football career began with promise when the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the 2011 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the league's premier pass rushers, recording 33.5 sacks across his first two seasons. His on-field success, however, was repeatedly overshadowed by legal troubles and substance abuse issues that ultimately derailed his career.
The defensive end played for multiple franchises during his NFL tenure, including stints with the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks. His career was marked by multiple suspensions related to violations of the league's substance abuse and personal conduct policies.
The estate proceedings will now move forward with Aulis Smith's guardian managing the inheritance on behalf of the minor child. The court documents do not specify whether the estate includes real property, financial accounts, or other assets beyond the personal property mentioned in the filings.