Billy Ray Smith Jr., 64
Billy Ray Smith Jr., the College Football Hall of Fame linebacker who became one of the most beloved figures in San Diego Chargers history, has died at 64. His family announced his passing in a statement released Wednesday, saying he died peacefully, surrounded by family, after a long struggle with dementia caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The family’s statement described Smith as having faced his journey with the degenerative brain disease with bravery, dignity and strength, and remembered him as a devoted father, husband, son and friend who brought joy and laughter into the lives of everyone around him. CTE, a condition linked to repetitive head trauma common in contact sports, can cause cognitive decline, mood swings and depression, and can only be definitively diagnosed after death.
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