Smith died peacefully Wednesday surrounded by his family, according to a statement announcing his passing.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” the statement reads. “Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia caused by CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength.”
To San Diego, Smith was far more than a former professional football player. He arrived as one of the most celebrated prospects in the 1983 NFL Draft, spent his entire 10-year career with the Chargers and then remained in the city for decades, becoming a television sportscaster, radio host, philanthropist and unmistakable part of the local community.
The Chargers selected Smith fifth overall out of the University of Arkansas, making him the first defensive player taken in the 1983 draft. He appeared in 126 games, including 111 starts, and established himself as the anchor of San Diego’s defense before the emergence of Junior Seau.
Smith was named the Chargers’ Defensive Player of the Year in both 1985 and 1986 and earned team MVP honors in 1987. He finished his career with 15 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries and 13 forced fumbles and was later selected as one of the 50 greatest players in franchise history.
But those who knew Smith have emphasized that his statistics tell only part of the story.
“To know Billy Ray was to love Billy Ray,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. “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.”
Smith’s life in San Diego continued long after he removed his Chargers uniform for the final time in 1992. He became sports director and a broadcaster at ABC 10News, where his wife, longtime news anchor Kimberly Hunt, has also spent decades on the air.
Smith was named the Chargers’ Defensive Player of the Year in both 1985 and 1986 and earned team MVP honors in 1987. He finished his career with 15 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries and 13 forced fumbles and was later selected as one of the 50 greatest players in franchise history.
But those who knew Smith have emphasized that his statistics tell only part of the story.
“To know Billy Ray was to love Billy Ray,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. “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.”
Smith’s life in San Diego continued long after he removed his Chargers uniform for the final time in 1992. He became sports director and a broadcaster at ABC 10News, where his wife, longtime news anchor Kimberly Hunt, has also spent decades on the air.
He later became a fixture on local sports radio, co-hosting the popular “Scott and B.R.” program with Scott Kaplan for approximately 20 years. He also covered the Chargers, San Diego State athletics, college football and the NFL for local and national television broadcasts.
Former Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts remembered Smith as “a great player and an even better person,” while Kaplan described him as a man whose connection to San Diego went far beyond football.
“He was the guy who never left San Diego,” Kaplan told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “People knew Billy Ray. They had seen his whole life, from the time he was in his early 20s, play out on local television.”
Smith was also widely respected for his loyalty and generosity. During his playing career, he worked with teammates to establish Bates Street, an after-school program for local children, and remained involved with charitable causes throughout his years in broadcasting.
Smith and Hunt were recently selected to receive the Nice Guy of the Year Award at a San Diego gala scheduled for October.
His football career began in Texas, where he helped Plano Senior High School win a state championship before following his father, NFL veteran Billy Ray Smith Sr., to the University of Arkansas.
Former Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts remembered Smith as “a great player and an even better person,” while Kaplan described him as a man whose connection to San Diego went far beyond football.
“He was the guy who never left San Diego,” Kaplan told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “People knew Billy Ray. They had seen his whole life, from the time he was in his early 20s, play out on local television.”
Smith was also widely respected for his loyalty and generosity. During his playing career, he worked with teammates to establish Bates Street, an after-school program for local children, and remained involved with charitable causes throughout his years in broadcasting.
Smith and Hunt were recently selected to receive the Nice Guy of the Year Award at a San Diego gala scheduled for October.
His football career began in Texas, where he helped Plano Senior High School win a state championship before following his father, NFL veteran Billy Ray Smith Sr., to the University of Arkansas.
Smith became one of the most accomplished defensive players in Razorbacks history. He was a two-time unanimous All-American, recorded 299 tackles and 63 tackles for loss, and served as team captain during Arkansas’ 9-2-1 season in 1982.
He was later named to the university’s All-Decade and All-Century teams and inducted into the Arkansas State Hall of Fame, the Razorback Hall of Honor and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Despite those honors, Smith remained most closely identified with San Diego, where he built a life and family and remained even after the Chargers relocated to Los Angeles in 2017.
“Billy Ray loved his family, loved the Chargers, loved his teammates, loved his community and loved helping those in need,” Spanos said. “And we all loved him back.”
He was later named to the university’s All-Decade and All-Century teams and inducted into the Arkansas State Hall of Fame, the Razorback Hall of Honor and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Despite those honors, Smith remained most closely identified with San Diego, where he built a life and family and remained even after the Chargers relocated to Los Angeles in 2017.
“Billy Ray loved his family, loved the Chargers, loved his teammates, loved his community and loved helping those in need,” Spanos said. “And we all loved him back.”
CTE is a progressive brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head and has been found in athletes who participated in contact sports. It can only be definitively diagnosed after death. Smith’s family said the disease caused the dementia he confronted with courage and dignity.
“Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend,” his family said. “He leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. His undeniable legacy will live forever in our hearts.”
Smith is survived by Hunt, his wife of 36 years, and their daughter, Savannah. The family said details about a celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.
For generations of San Diegans, Billy Ray Smith will be remembered not only as one of the finest defensive players ever to wear a Chargers uniform, but as a constant presence who chose San Diego, embraced the city and spent the rest of his life giving back to the community that loved him.
Originally published on July 30, 2026.
“Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend,” his family said. “He leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. His undeniable legacy will live forever in our hearts.”
Smith is survived by Hunt, his wife of 36 years, and their daughter, Savannah. The family said details about a celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.
For generations of San Diegans, Billy Ray Smith will be remembered not only as one of the finest defensive players ever to wear a Chargers uniform, but as a constant presence who chose San Diego, embraced the city and spent the rest of his life giving back to the community that loved him.
Originally published on July 30, 2026.
