Billy Ray Smith

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

Billy Ray Smith, a former NFL linebacker and top‑5 draft pick, died this week at age 64. His family announced his death and said he had suffered from dementia for a long time. They believe the dementia was caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a brain disease linked to repeated head hits.