a neurodegenerative illness affecting unknown numbers of former athletes in contact sports. The findings were confirmed by researchers affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston University and the Concussion Legacy Foundation, and released with the permission of the executor of Smith's estate. Smith is the 90th former NFL player found to have had CTE by the researchers at the Boston University brain bank; they have examined 94 former pro players. According to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, on a scale of 1 to 4 used by the neuropathologist who examined Smith's brain, Smith had Stage 3 CTE, with symptoms including cognitive impairment and problems with judgment and planning. Filmography References External links 1945 births 2011 deaths 20th-century American male actors African-American male actors African-American players of American football All-American college football players American Conference Pro Bowl players American football defensive ends American football defensive tackles American football players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy American male film actors American male television actors Baltimore Bullets (1963–1973) draft picks Baltimore Colts players College Football Hall of Fame inductees Houston Oilers players Michigan State Spartans football players National Football League first-overall draft picks Oakland Raiders players People from Orange, Texas Players of American football from Texas Sportspeople from Beaumont, Texas