Billy Ray Smith Dies at 64 as Family Links Dementia to CTE
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 30
Billy Ray Smith Dies at 64 as Family Links Dementia to CTE
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 30
Summary
Billy Ray Smith, the former San Diego Chargers linebacker, died this week at 64, with his family saying he endured a long battle with dementia caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
CTE is a progressive brain disease tied to repeated head impacts and can be definitively diagnosed only after death, underscoring why families often turn to posthumous research.
Smith spent all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Chargers after going No. 5 overall in the 1983 draft, later earning a place on the franchise's 50th anniversary team.