Billy Ray Smith Jr., the longtime San Diego Chargers linebacker and College Football Hall of Famer, died Wednesday following a “long journey with dementia caused by CTE,” his family have announced.
He was 64 years old.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” Smith’s family said in a statement.
“Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia caused by CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength.
“Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend.
“On the NFL gridiron for a decade with the Chargers, and decades that followed in sports broadcasting, Billy Ray earned deep respect from teammates, colleagues, and fans, who he cherished in returrn.
“He leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. His undeniable legacy will live forever in our hearts, and we thank our incredible community for the outpouring of love and support.”
Smith followed in his father’s footsteps and starred at the University of Arkansas, where he was named All-American in 1981 and 1982.
“I knew going into [the recruiting process] that I’m not going to leave Arkansas and go to another school unless they just blow me away and they didn’t,” Smith Jr. told Pro Players Business Network.
Lou Holtz, who coached Arkansas from 1977 to 1983, once said of Smith, “Billy Ray is so quick he plays tennis with himself.”
Smith was team captain in 1982, leading Arkansas to a 9-2-1 record. He recorded 299 tackles at Arkansas, including 63 tackles for a loss.
The San Diego Chargers selected Smith fifth overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, making him the first defensive player picked in the class.
He would go on to play his entire 10-season NFL career with the Chargers.
In 1986, he recorded a career-high 11 sacks and forced four fumbles. The following season, Smith intercepted a career-high five passes despite only playing 12 games because of the NFL Players’ strike.
The 1989 season saw Smith named Second-Team All-Pro.
Smith also made the highlight reel in an unlikely way when he kicked the game-winning field goal in a 1985 exhibition game against the Saints.
With groin injuries sidelining the Chargers’ usual kickers, Smith, who last kicked in high school, made a field goal with four seconds to go, but it was nullified for having tape on his kicking shoe. The linebacker-turned-kicker threw the shoe away and made the field goal with no time remaining for a 21-20 win.
Smith was also active in the community, working with teammates to create “Bates Street,” an after-school program for local kids. He met his wife Kimberly Hunt, an ABC 10News anchor, during a United Cerebral Palsy telethon.
He also became a television and radio personality in San Diego after his playing days ended.
Smith would be named to the Arkansas All-Decade Team, Arkansas All-Century Team and was enshrined in the Arkansas State Hall of Fame and the Razorback Hall of Honor.
In 2000, Smith was the sixth Razorback player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
“The overriding feeling that I had was, ‘I wish I could bring all the guys that were in the huddle, that helped make me a consensus All-American,” he told Pro Players Business Network. “Football is the ultimate team game. You feel a little bit uncomfortable getting so much praise. These guys need to be there and be with me when we do this but they can’t handle that many people at one celebration so I guess I’ll do it.”
Smith was also celebrated in 2009, when he was voted by fans and the Chargers Hall of Fame as one of the 50 greatest players in team history.
“To know Billy Ray was to love Billy Ray. Yes, he was a member of our 50th Anniversary team. Yes, he was a Charger for life, playing his entire 10-year career here,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said.
“But he wasn’t merely a great football player. He was, truly, larger than life. Always smiling. Lighting up every room he walked into. Infectious laughter. The kind of friend a friend should be. That was Billy Ray.”
“When someone who brought so much positivity into the world leaves us, it’s hard to process. Hard to accept. That’s how I feel right now, and I know I’m not alone,” Spanos continued.
“Billy Ray loved his family, loved the Chargers, loved his teammates, loved his community and loved helping those in need. And we all loved him back,” Spanos added.
“Our hearts are with his wife, Kimberly, daughter, Savannah and the countless people whose lives were made just a little bit brighter because they had the privilege of knowing Billy Ray.”
He is survived by his wife Kimberly and daughter Savannah.
