Former Chargers Linebacker’s Death Linked to CTE

Updated July 30, 2026 8 min read

max916311@gmail.com

Former Chargers Linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. Dies at 64; Family Links Death to CTE

TL;DR: Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. has died at age 64, with his family confirming that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)-caused dementia was the underlying cause of death. Smith, who played nine NFL seasons and was a first-round draft pick, is among the growing number of former professional football players whose post-career neurological decline has been attributed to repeated head trauma sustained during their playing careers.

Former Chargers Linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. Dies at 64; Family Links Death to CTE-Caused Dementia

Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. has died at the age of 64, and his family has publicly stated that CTE-caused dementia was the cause of his death. The announcement, reported by ESPN and other outlets in July 2026, adds another name to the increasing list of former NFL players whose neurological deterioration has been tied to chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Quick Answer

Billy Ray Smith Jr., a former first-round NFL draft pick who played linebacker for the San Diego Chargers from 1983 to 1992, died at age 64. His family confirmed that CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy)-related dementia caused his death, making him one of hundreds of former professional football players diagnosed with the degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head impacts during their careers.

Who Was Billy Ray Smith Jr.?

Billy Ray Smith Jr. was a standout college player at the University of Arkansas before being selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft. Over a nine-year professional career, Smith established himself as a reliable and durable linebacker in the Chargers’ defensive system during a competitive era in the AFC.

Smith played his entire NFL career with the Chargers from 1983 through 1992, appearing in 120 regular-season games. He was known for his tackling ability and consistent presence in the San Diego defensive lineup throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

Career Detail	Information
Full Name	Billy Ray Smith Jr.
Date of Death	July 2026 (age 64)
Position	Linebacker
NFL Draft	1983 NFL Draft, First Round (San Diego Chargers)
College	University of Arkansas
NFL Teams	San Diego Chargers (1983–1992)
Career Games	120 regular-season appearances
Family’s Stated Cause of Death	CTE-caused dementia

What Is CTE and How Does It Relate to Football?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative brain disease found in individuals with a history of repetitive brain trauma. The condition is particularly prevalent among contact sport athletes, with professional football players representing the largest diagnosed population. CTE can only be definitively diagnosed posthumemously through brain tissue examination.

Research from Boston University’s CTE Center, the leading institution studying the disease, has shown that CTE is characterized by an abnormal buildup of tau protein in the brain. This tau accumulation causes brain cells to die, leading to a range of symptoms including memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, aggression, depression, and eventually progressive dementia.

What Are the Symptoms of CTE-Caused Dementia?

CTE-caused dementia produces symptoms that often begin years or decades after the repetitive head trauma ceases. Common symptoms include progressive memory loss, difficulty with executive function and decision-making, personality changes, depression, anxiety, aggression, and eventually full cognitive decline that mirrors other forms of dementia. Many affected individuals experience a distinct period during middle age where symptoms begin to accelerate.

How Common Is CTE Among Former NFL Players?

A landmark 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 110 out of 111 brains of deceased former NFL players examined showed evidence of CTE, representing a 99% detection rate in that sample. While researchers note this was a convenience sample and not representative of all players, industry data indicates the prevalence remains alarmingly high among former professional football players who played multiple years.

CTE Prevalence in Post-Mortem Studies	Percentage
Former NFL players examined (Boston University, 2017)	99% (110 of 111)
Former college football players examined	91% (48 of 53)
Former high school players examined	21% (3 of 14)

The NFL’s Ongoing Response to CTE and Brain Injuries

The NFL has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of concussion-related health issues since the early 2000s. In 2009, former NFL quarterback Bennet Omalu’s research into CTE in former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster brought widespread public attention to the condition. The league initially denied connections between football and long-term brain damage but has since acknowledged the relationship.

In 2015, the NFL settled a class-action lawsuit with former players for approximately $1 billion over 65 years, establishing the NFL Concussion Settlement Program to compensate players diagnosed with qualifying neurocognitive conditions. As of 2026, thousands of former players and their families have submitted claims under this program.

According to the settlement terms, former players diagnosed with qualifying diagnoses including CTE-related dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can receive financial compensation. The NFL has also invested in helmet technology research, modified practice protocols to reduce full-contact collisions, and implemented the concussion spotters system during games.

How CTE Has Changed Football Safety Measures

The growing body of evidence linking football to CTE has driven significant changes at every level of the sport. Youth football programs across the United States have modified tackle rules, limited full-contact practices, and in some cases experienced declining participation as parents express safety concerns.

At the professional level, the NFL has enacted multiple rule changes designed to reduce head impacts, including stricter penalties for helmet-to-helmet contact, limitations on practice contact hours, and investment in advanced helmet designs by manufacturers like Riddell and Schutt. Research shows these measures aim to reduce the cumulative sub-concussive impacts that medical experts believe drive CTE development.

What Safety Changes Has the NFL Implemented?

The NFL’s modern concussion protocol includes independent neurological consultants on the sideline, the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant program, and mandatory return-to-play steps after any diagnosed concussion. The league also expanded its list of prohibited helmet contact types and increased fines and suspensions for dangerous hits. According to NFL injury data, reported concussion rates have fluctuated but remain a concern among current and former players.

Billy Ray Smith Jr.’s Legacy and the Broader Impact

Billy Ray Smith Jr.’s death and his family’s public acknowledgment of CTE as the cause underscore the personal toll that the disease takes on former players and their loved ones. His family’s willingness to share this information publicly follows a growing trend of former NFL families using their platforms to raise awareness about brain injuries in football.

The case adds urgency to ongoing debates about football safety at all levels. Medical researchers continue to study CTE to better understand risk factors, develop diagnostic tools that could detect the disease in living patients, and identify potential treatment approaches. Currently, no definitive treatment exists for CTE, making prevention through reduced head impacts the primary strategy.

Key Takeaways

Billy Ray Smith Jr., a former first-round pick and nine-year San Diego Chargers linebacker, died at age 64 with his family citing CTE-caused dementia as the cause of death.
CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease caused by repetitive head trauma, with studies detecting it in approximately 99% of donated brains from former NFL players in a major 2017 Boston University study.
The NFL has settled over $1 billion with former players through its Concussion Settlement Program and implemented numerous rule changes to reduce head impacts during games and practices.
CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death, though researchers are actively working on living diagnostic methods that could transform early detection and treatment.
Former players and their families are increasingly speaking publicly about CTE diagnoses to raise awareness and support ongoing brain injury research.

What Are Common Questions About CTE and Former NFL Players?

What is CTE and what causes it?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative brain disease caused by repetitive brain trauma, including concussions and sub-concussive impacts. The condition results from an abnormal buildup of tau protein in the brain, leading to cell death and symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, aggression, depression, and dementia. It is most commonly associated with contact sports, particularly football.

Can CTE be diagnosed in living patients?

Currently, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously through examination of brain tissue. Researchers at Boston University and other institutions are developing advanced neuroimaging techniques, including PET scans using specific tau-binding tracers, that may eventually allow detection in living patients. These diagnostic tools remain in the research phase as of 2026.

How many former NFL players have been diagnosed with CTE?

In the largest post-mortem study published in 2017, researchers at Boston University’s CTE Center found CTE in 110 of 111 former NFL players’ brains examined, though this was a convenience sample and not statistically representative of all former players. Researchers estimate that the true prevalence among NFL players who played multiple seasons remains high based on available data.

What compensation is available for former NFL players with CTE?

The NFL Concussion Settlement, finalized in 2015, provides financial compensation to former players diagnosed with qualifying neurocognitive conditions, including CTE-related dementia. Claims are administered through the settlement program, and the agreement covers medical testing, financial awards based on diagnosis severity, and death benefits for qualifying survivors. Families should contact the NFL settlement administrators for current claim procedures.

Is CTE the same as Alzheimer’s disease?

CTE and Alzheimer’s disease are distinct conditions, though they share some symptoms. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease primarily associated with aging and genetic factors, while CTE is caused by repetitive brain trauma and can appear decades after the trauma occurs. Some former NFL players have been diagnosed with both conditions simultaneously, as CTE can increase vulnerability to other neurodegenerative diseases.

How has football changed to reduce CTE risk?

The NFL and amateur football organizations have implemented numerous changes to reduce head impacts, including modified practice contact limits, stricter penalties for dangerous hits, advanced helmet technology, concussion spotters during games, and mandatory return-to-play protocols after concussions. Youth football programs have also reduced full-contact practices and modified tackle rules in response to CTE research findings.

The Bottom Line

The death of former Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. at age 64, with his family attributing his passing to CTE-caused dementia, serves as a sobering reminder of the long-term neurological risks associated with professional football. His case adds to the extensive body of evidence linking repetitive head impacts to progressive brain disease. As medical research continues to advance toward better diagnostics and potential treatments, the football community at every level must continue prioritizing player safety and supporting affected former players and their families.

For more information about brain injuries in sports, see our guide on NFL concussion protocol and safety measures and our coverage of CTE research at Boston University.