Billy Ray Smith Jr., the longtime San Diego Chargers linebacker and later a familiar face in sports broadcasting, has died at 64. His family said he had been battling dementia they believe was caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.
The family did not publicly disclose Smith’s exact cause of death. In a statement this week, they said, "It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who passed away peacefully surrounded by family," the family said in a statement this week. "Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia caused by CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength.
"Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend. On the NFL gridiron for a decade with the Chargers, and decades that followed in sports broadcasting, Billy Ray earned deep respect from teammates, colleagues, and fans, who he cherished in return.
"He leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. His undeniable legacy will live forever in our hearts, and we thank our incredible community for the outpouring of love and support."
It was not clear from the family’s statement whether Smith had received an official CTE diagnosis. The disease can only be confirmed after death.
Smith spent all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Chargers, taking plenty of hits along the way in a sport where repeated head trauma is widely believed to be the root of CTE. The Boston University CTE Center says the risk of the disease doubles for every 2.6 years in the game.
On the field, the Arkansas product put together a strong career: 26.5 sacks, 15 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles across 126 games. He was later selected to the Chargers’ 50th Anniversary Team.
Smith was the son and namesake of another Arkansas linebacker, though unlike his father, who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Colts in January of 1971, Billy Ray Smith Jr. never captured a title.
After football, he became a popular sportscaster at San Diego’s KGTV, where his wife, Kimberly, worked as an anchor.
Smith’s death also comes against a painful backdrop for the Chargers franchise. Another former Chargers linebacker, Hall of Famer Junior Seau, was found to have CTE after his 2012 suicide.
The family of former NFL offensive lineman Jordan Devey recently said they believed he, too, suffered from CTE before his recent suicide. According to his father, Kerry, Devey’s brain cannot be studied by experts because of the circumstances of his death.
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