Chargers Legend Billy Ray Smith Jr. Passes Away at 64

WHO:

chargers.com - Dean Spanos, Chargers Owner and Chairman of the Board, described Smith as "larger than life" and noted his infectious laughter.

NBC 7 San Diego - Smith wore #54 during his NFL career.

NBC 7 San Diego - Smith's wife, Kimberly Hunt, is a news anchor at ABC 10News in San Diego.

NY Post - Billy Ray Smith Jr., a Chargers legend and College Football Hall of Famer.

chargers.com - Dean Spanos, Chargers Owner and Chairman of the Board; Kimberly (wife), Savannah (daughter) of Billy Ray Smith Jr.

WHAT:

chargers.com - Smith was inducted into both the Arkansas State Hall of Fame and the Razorback Hall of Honor.

chargers.com - Smith was a member of the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team.

Daily Mail - Smith's family claims he faced a long journey with dementia caused by CTE before his death.

NBC 7 San Diego - Smith played 137 NFL games, recorded 26.5 sacks, 15 interceptions, and 14 fumble recoveries.

NBC 7 San Diego - One of Smith's best seasons was in 1989 when he earned All-Pro 2nd team status.

NBC 7 San Diego - Smith became a sports broadcaster after his playing career, hosting a popular sports talk radio show with Scott Kaplan.

NY Post - Billy Ray Smith Jr. died at the age of 64.

chargers.com - Smith spent all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Chargers.

chargers.com - Smith was named the Chargers Team MVP in 1987 and was the team's Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1986.

chargers.com - Smith was the No. 5 overall pick of the 1983 NFL Draft.

chargers.com - Smith appeared in 126 games with 111 starts, recorded hundreds of tackles, 15 career interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, and 13 forced fumbles.

WHERE:

chargers.com - Smith grew up in Texas and played for the University of Arkansas.

WHEN:

chargers.com - Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

WHY:

chargers.com - Smith's family claims his dementia was caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after his 10 seasons in the NFL.

Daily Mail - Smith's family claims his dementia was caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after his 10 seasons in the NFL.

chargers.com - Dean Spanos described Smith as someone who brought positivity into the world and was loved by his family, teammates, and community.

HOW:

chargers.com - Smith became a sports broadcaster after his playing career, hosting a popular sports talk radio show with Scott Kaplan.

NBC 7 San Diego - After his playing career, Smith became a sports broadcaster on TV, radio, and online.

NBC 7 San Diego - Smith was an impactful member of the San Diego community through charitable efforts and media.

chargers.com - Smith was a two-time unanimous All-American for the Razorbacks in 1981 and 1982 and was named to Arkansas' All-Decade Team and All-Century Team.

Dean Spanos, the owner and chairman of the Chargers, described Smith as "larger than life" and highlighted his infectious laughter during a recent tribute. Smith was honored with inductions into both the Arkansas State Hall of Fame and the Razorback Hall of Honor, celebrating his significant contributions to the sport. Following his ten seasons in the NFL, Smith transitioned to sports broadcasting, where he hosted a popular sports talk radio show alongside Scott Kaplan, although his family has expressed concerns that his dementia was linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.