Billy Ray Smith, top-5 NFL draft pick, dead at 64; family says CTE caused dementia

Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith died this week astatine the property of 64, his household announced.

The household said Smith, a College Football Hall of Famer, "faced [a] agelong travel with dementia caused by CTE."

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is simply a progressive, degenerative encephalon illness linked to repeated caput impacts alternatively than a azygous injury, according to the Mayo Clinic. More than 100 erstwhile NFL players person been posthumously diagnosed with CTE, according to a University of Utah survey published successful the Journal of Neurotrauma.

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Billy Ray Smith No. 54 of the San Diego Chargers is successful enactment against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL crippled Oct. 16, 1988, astatine Joe Robbie Stadium successful Miami. (Getty Images)

"Billy Ray brought truthful overmuch joy, light, and laughter to the satellite arsenic a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend," the household said successful a statement, adding that helium fought his unwellness "with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength."

This year, the families of Aldon Smith, Steve McMichael and Claude Lemieux person each said the erstwhile athletes' brains volition beryllium sent for CTE research. Smith's origin of decease is inactive pending, portion Lemieux died by termination by hanging and McMichael suffered from ALS. Former moving backmost Chris Johnson revealed earlier this twelvemonth he, too, has been diagnosed with ALS.

Billy Ray Smith #54 of the San Diego Chargers is successful enactment during an NFL crippled circa 1988 astatine Jack Murphy Stadium successful San Diego, California. (Getty Images)

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CTE tin lone beryllium officially diagnosed aft death.

"To cognize Billy Ray was to emotion Billy Ray. Yes, helium was a subordinate of our 50th Anniversary team. Yes, helium was a Charger for life, playing his full 10-year vocation here," Chargers proprietor Dean Spanos said successful a statement. "But helium wasn't simply a large shot player. He was, truly, larger than life. Always smiling. Lighting up each country helium walked into. Infectious laughter. The benignant of person a person should be. That was Billy Ray.

"When idiosyncratic who brought truthful overmuch positivity into the satellite leaves us, it's hard to process. Hard to accept. That's however I consciousness close now, and I cognize I'm not alone.

"Billy Ray loved his family, loved the Chargers, loved his teammates, loved his assemblage and loved helping those successful need. And we each loved him back," Spanos added. "Our hearts are with his wife, Kimberly, daughter, Savannah and the countless radical whose lives were made conscionable a small spot brighter due to the fact that they had the privilege of knowing Billy Ray."

Billy Ray Smith No. 54 of the San Diego Chargers pursues the play against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL crippled connected Dec. 18, 1988, astatine Jack Murphy Stadium successful San Diego, Calif. (Getty Images)

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Smith played 10 seasons with the Chargers aft being drafted with the No. 5 wide prime of the 1983 NFL draught retired of Arkansas. He was named to the Chargers' 50th day squad aft racking up 15 vocation interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries and 13 forced fumbles.

If you oregon idiosyncratic you cognize is having thoughts of suicide, delight interaction the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline astatine 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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