前圣地亚哥闪电队线卫、大学橄榄球名人堂成员比利·雷·史密斯二世去世，享年64岁[1]。他因CTE引发的痴呆症去世[1]。史密斯的家人在声明中表示，"比利·雷以无与伦比的勇气、尊严和力量面对长期的痴呆症之旅"[1]。
史密斯在1983年NFL选秀中以第5顺位被闪电队选中[1]，职业生涯获得15次抄截、14次失误恢复和13次造成失误的记录[1]。他于2000年入选美国大学橄榄球名人堂[1]，在阿肯色大学效力期间两次获得全美最佳阵容荣誉[1]。
Billy Ray Smith Jr., a former linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and College Football Hall of Fame member, has died at age 64 [1]. His death was attributed to dementia brought on by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) [1].
Smith was selected by the Chargers with the fifth overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft [1]. During his professional career, he recorded 15 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, and 13 forced fumbles [1]. The defensive standout was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 [1] following a distinguished college career at the University of Arkansas, where he earned All-American honors twice [1].
In a family statement, relatives described Smith's battle with the degenerative condition, saying that "Billy Ray faced his extended journey with dementia with unparalleled courage, dignity, and strength" [1].