Boston University study finds CTE in vast majority of NFL players examined
Boston University identified CTE in 91.7% of studied NFL players.
Event / Health
NFL Player CTE Health Crisis
Coverage of CTE-related deaths and health issues among NFL players, including former players' battles with dementia and cognitive decline from repeated head injuries.
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2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 31 Jul, 03:47 UTC
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What happened
Smith earned two unanimous All-American honors at Arkansas
Billy Ray Smith Jr. was named a unanimous All-American twice while playing at the University of Arkansas, setting a school record for tackles for loss.
Smith married KGTV broadcaster Kimberly Hunt in 1990
Billy Ray Smith Jr. married Kimberly Hunt, a broadcaster at KGTV, in 1990. They met during a United Cerebral Palsy telethon while Smith was still an active Chargers player. They had a daughter, Savannah, two years later and celebrated their 36th anniversary in June 2026.
Boston University CTE Center found CTE in 91.7% of studied NFL players
Through 2022, the Boston University CTE Center studied the brains of 376 former NFL players and diagnosed 345 with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), representing a rate of 91.7%.
Smith transitioned to broadcasting career after 1992 retirement
After retiring from professional football following the 1992 season, Billy Ray Smith Jr. moved into broadcasting, working as a television sports anchor for KGTV in San Diego, covering Chargers preseason broadcasts, contributing to Fox Sports college football analysis, and co-hosting a sports radio show on XX Sports Radio 1090.
Smith played all 10 NFL seasons with Chargers from 1983-1992
Billy Ray Smith Jr. played his entire 10-season NFL career with the San Diego Chargers from 1983 to 1992, appearing in 126 games and recording 26.5 sacks, 15 interceptions, and 13-14 fumble recoveries.
Smith played alongside Junior Seau, another Chargers linebacker who died by suicide
Billy Ray Smith Jr. played alongside Junior Seau from 1990-1992 on the Chargers defense. Seau, another legendary Chargers linebacker, died in 2012 at age 43 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was posthumously diagnosed with CTE. Smith spoke at Seau's public memorial service.
Smith's father Billy Ray Smith Sr. played in NFL from 1957-1970
Billy Ray Smith Jr. was the son of Billy Ray Smith Sr., a longtime NFL defensive lineman who played from 1957 to 1970 with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Colts. Smith Sr. also played college football at Arkansas.
Billy Ray Smith Jr., former Chargers linebacker, dies at 64
Billy Ray Smith Jr., a former San Diego Chargers linebacker, died on Wednesday at age 64. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a lengthy battle with dementia caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Smith inducted into College Football Hall of Fame in 2000
Billy Ray Smith Jr. was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000, recognizing his outstanding college football career at Arkansas.
Smith drafted fifth overall by Chargers in 1983 from University of Arkansas
Billy Ray Smith Jr. was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers out of the University of Arkansas, making him the first defensive player chosen that year.
Smith earned second-team All-AFC and second-team All-Pro recognition twice
Billy Ray Smith Jr. earned second-team All-AFC honors twice during his career and received second-team All-Pro recognition in 1989.
Smith named Chargers MVP in 1987 and Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1986
Billy Ray Smith Jr. was voted the San Diego Chargers' team MVP in 1987 and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1985 and 1986.
Smith received San Diego Nice Guy of the Year Award in 2026
Billy Ray Smith Jr. and his wife Kimberly Hunt were recognized with the San Diego Nice Guy of the Year Award in 2026 for decades of volunteer service and charitable leadership supporting youth programs, veterans, healthcare initiatives, and nonprofit organizations.
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Hall of Famer Billy Ray Smith Jr. dies at 64
Hall of Famer Billy Ray Smith Jr., Chargers defensive star, dies at 64.