Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. died on Wednesday, July 29, following a bout with what his household known as CTE-caused dementia. He was 64.
“It’s with profound unhappiness that we share the lack of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who handed away peacefully surrounded by household,” learn a press release from his household, shared with the Related Press. “Billy Ray confronted his lengthy journey with dementia brought on by CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and power. Billy Ray introduced a lot pleasure, mild, and laughter to the world as a faithful father, husband, son, and constant pal.”
CTE, or continual traumatic encephalopathy, is a progressive mind illness brought on by repeated head trauma that may solely be identified after demise, so it has not been formally confirmed as the reason for his dementia. CTE, nevertheless, is disproportionately frequent amongst former soccer gamers in comparison with the remainder of the inhabitants, and dementia is strongly linked to the situation, in line with the Nationwide Institutes of Well being.
Smith performed 10 seasons within the NFL, from 1983 to 1992, all with the Chargers. He was named to the franchise’s fiftieth anniversary staff in 2009 with profession highlights together with 15 profession interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries and 13 pressured fumbles. The primary-round pick of Arkansas can also be a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.
A second-generation NFL participant, Smith Jr.’s father, Billy Ray Smith Sr., performed within the NFL for 3 groups from 1957 to 1970.
After he retired, Smith Jr. turned to broadcasting, internet hosting a drive-time radio present and changing into the sports activities director at San Diego’s ABC affiliate. He later labored for Fox Sports activities on its faculty soccer protection.
“To know Billy Ray was to like Billy Ray,” Chargers proprietor and chairman Dean Spanos stated in a press release shared through X. “He wasn’t merely an awesome soccer participant. He was, actually, bigger than life. All the time smiling. Lighting up each room he walked into. Infectious laughter. The sort of pal a pal needs to be. That was Billy Ray.”
The assertion continued, “When somebody who introduced a lot positivity into the world leaves us, it’s arduous to course of. Arduous to just accept. That’s how I really feel proper now, and I do know I’m not alone.”
“Billy Ray beloved his household, beloved the Chargers, beloved his teammates, beloved his neighborhood and beloved serving to these in want. And all of us beloved him again,” Spanos, 76, wrote. “Our hearts are along with his spouse, Kimberly, daughters Savannah, and the numerous individuals whose lives had been made just a bit bit brighter as a result of that they had the privilege of realizing Billy Ray.”
