Billy Ray Smith Jr., former Chargers star, dies at 64; family links to CTE
Billy Ray Smith Jr., a former star linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, has died at age 64. His family stated that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) contributed to his death, underscoring the long-term risks of head injuries in football. Smith's passing adds to the growing number of NFL players diagnosed posthumously with the degenerative brain disease.