Billy Ray Smith Jr, ex-San Diego Chargers star, dies at 64 as family cites CTE
Summary
Billy Ray Smith Jr., a former linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and a College Football Hall of Famer, has died at age 64. His family said he died from dementia caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repeated head injuries.Key Facts
- Billy Ray Smith Jr. played 10 seasons with the San Diego Chargers after being picked 5th overall in the 1983 NFL draft.
- He had 15 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, and 13 forced fumbles during his career.
- Smith was named to the Chargers’ 50th anniversary team.
- After his football career, he worked as a sports director for an ABC affiliate in San Diego and co-hosted a radio show.
- He was a two-time All-American at the University of Arkansas and entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
- Smith’s father also played in the NFL and at Arkansas.
- CTE is a brain disease caused by repeated head injuries and can only be diagnosed after death.
- Symptoms of CTE include mood swings, impulsive behavior, and depression.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
