Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. died on Wednesday, July 29, following a bout with what his family called CTE-caused dementia. He was 64.
“It’s with profound sadness that we share the lack of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” read an announcement from his family, shared with the Associated Press. “Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia attributable to CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength. Billy Ray brought a lot joy, light, and laughter to the world as a faithful father, husband, son, and constant friend.”
CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a progressive brain disease attributable to repeated head trauma that may only be diagnosed after death, so it has not been officially confirmed because the explanation for his dementia. CTE, nonetheless, is disproportionately common amongst former football players in comparison with the remainder of the population, and dementia is strongly linked to the condition, in keeping with the National Institutes of Health.
Smith played 10 seasons within the NFL, from 1983 to 1992, all with the Chargers. He was named to the franchise’s fiftieth anniversary team in 2009 with profession highlights including 15 profession interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries and 13 forced fumbles. The primary-round pick of Arkansas can also be a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
A second-generation NFL player, Smith Jr.’s father, Billy Ray Smith Sr., played within the NFL for 3 teams from 1957 to 1970.
After he retired, Smith Jr. turned to broadcasting, hosting a drive-time radio show and becoming the sports director at San Diego’s ABC affiliate. He later worked for Fox Sports on its college football coverage.
“To know Billy Ray was to like Billy Ray,” Chargers owner and chairman Dean Spanos said in an announcement shared via X. “He wasn’t merely an awesome football player. He was, truly, larger than life. All the time smiling. Lighting up every room he walked into. Infectious laughter. The sort of friend a friend must be. That was Billy Ray.”
The statement continued, “When someone who brought a lot positivity into the world leaves us, it’s hard to process. Hard to just accept. That’s how I feel at once, and I do know I’m not alone.”
“Billy Ray loved his family, loved the Chargers, loved his teammates, loved his community and loved helping those in need. And all of us loved him back,” Spanos, 76, wrote. “Our hearts are together with his wife, Kimberly, daughters Savannah, and the countless people whose lives were made just just a little bit brighter because they’d the privilege of knowing Billy Ray.”