Billy Ray Smith Jr., a prominent figure in San Diego’s sports scene, passed away on Wednesday. He was 64. Smith battled dementia, attributed to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), before his death.
Smith spent his entire 10-year career in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers. He was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, becoming the first defensive player chosen that year. Smith’s college career was illustrious, earning him unanimous All-America honors twice at Arkansas. There, he set a school record for tackles for loss. His accomplishments led to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
As the son of Billy Ray Smith Sr., a longtime NFL linebacker, Smith made his mark quickly. From 1983 to 1992, he played in 140 games, achieving 26.5 sacks, 15 interceptions, and 14 fumble recoveries. Smith received second-team All-AFC honors twice, and in 1989, he was named second-team All-Pro. His teammates voted him the Chargers’ Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1986, and he was the team MVP in 1987. Later, Smith was acknowledged as one of the franchise’s 50 Greatest Players.
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After retiring in 1992, Smith stayed in San Diego and shifted to broadcasting. He became a familiar presence for local sports fans, working as a television sports anchor for KGTV. Smith also contributed to Chargers preseason broadcasts, worked as a college football analyst for Fox Sports, and co-hosted “The Scott and B.R. Show” on XX Sports Radio 1090, a highly popular sports talk show in the region. Through broadcasting, Smith maintained a connection to the Chargers and the community long after his playing days.
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Smith’s family shared that he passed away in peace, surrounded by his loved ones, facing his condition with great bravery and strength. Outside the football field, Smith was a dedicated husband, father, and community figure. He leaves behind his wife, Kimberly Hunt, a KGTV anchor, and their family. For Chargers fans, Smith’s influence was felt both as a linebacker with intelligence and as a broadcaster, continuing to be a known voice for football in San Diego over the years.
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