Billy Ray Smith Jr, ex-San Diego Chargers star, dies at 64 as family cites CTE

Billy Ray Smith Jr., a former linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 64. His family confirmed his passing and stated that he had been suffering from dementia caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

Smith was a standout athlete whose career included a decorated tenure at the University of Arkansas before he was selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft. Following his professional playing career, he remained a prominent figure in the sports community. His family's disclosure regarding his diagnosis highlights the ongoing conversation surrounding the long-term neurological impacts of head trauma in professional football.