Billy Ray Smith Jr., a cherished figure in San Diego sports and community life, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, at the age of 64. The former San Diego Chargers linebacker, College Football Hall of Famer, broadcaster, and philanthropist left behind a legacy defined as much by his generosity and service as by his accomplishments on the field.
Born into a football family, Smith followed a path that began in Plano, Texas, where he helped lead Plano Senior High School to a Class 4A state championship.
He continued the tradition set by his father, Super Bowl champion Billy Ray Smith Sr., at the University of Arkansas. There he earned recognition as a two-time unanimous All-American, matching his father’s achievement and cementing his place among the program’s greats.
Known for a rare combination of size, speed, strength, and one of the highest IQs in the NFL, he entered the 1983 draft as a top prospect. The Chargers selected him fifth overall, and he spent his entire ten-year professional career in San Diego, wearing number 54 and earning team MVP honors. He often spoke of joining the Chargers as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
Smith’s influence extended well beyond the stadium. Early in his career he joined teammates in creating Bates Street, an after-school program that offered sports and activities to local children.
The effort reflected a deeper commitment to service that would shape the rest of his life. He supported dozens of San Diego charities and later co-founded the Great Friends Foundation, which raised millions of dollars for military families in the region.
His wife, longtime ABC 10News anchor Kimberly Hunt, whom he met during a United Cerebral Palsy telethon and married in 1990, later described his approach simply: when he arrived in San Diego he brought a generosity of spirit that never faded, and he never said no.
After football, Smith built a second career in broadcasting. He joined Channel 10 as sports director in 1993, became a familiar voice on the long-running “Scott and B.R.” radio show, and contributed to network coverage of college and professional games while remaining a fixture at ABC 10News.
He and Kimberly raised their daughter, Savannah, with the same enthusiasm he brought to every other part of his life. In early July the couple received one more public recognition when they were named Nice Guys of the Year, an honor scheduled to be celebrated at a gala in October.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the family said Smith passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a long journey with dementia caused by CTE. They remembered him as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend who brought joy, light, and laughter to those around him.
His decade with the Chargers and the decades that followed in broadcasting earned him lasting respect from teammates, colleagues, and fans. Details of a memorial celebration will be shared at a later date.
College Football Hall of Famer, Chargers mainstay, broadcaster, philanthropist, and family man, Billy Ray Smith Jr. demonstrated that lasting strength is measured not only by individual achievement but by the number of lives lifted along the way.
