The San Diego sports community lost an absolute giant this week, but for those who loved him most, the loss hits much deeper than football. Billy Ray Smith Jr., the beloved former Chargers linebacker, broadcaster, and philanthropist, passed away peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by his devoted family. He was 64 years old. His family shared that his death came after a long, hard-fought journey with dementia brought on by chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE.
To the world, Billy Ray was a fierce competitor on the gridiron, but at home along California’s southern coast, he was simply a loving husband and a proud father. San Diego became his true sanctuary for over four decades after he arrived as a hotshot first-round pick in 1983. Through every high and low, his warmth and magnetic personality left an indelible mark on everyone who crossed his path.
His battle with CTE-caused dementia was fought far away from the bright stadium lights, but he met the diagnosis with the same grit he showed on the field. In a heartbreaking statement released on Wednesday, his family reflected on the quiet courage he displayed every single day. They noted that he faced his long journey with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength throughout his declining health.
Before the brain condition took its heavy toll, Billy Ray lived a life rooted in tight family bonds and deep southern football tradition. Born in Arkansas and raised in Texas, he grew up following in the big footsteps of his dad, Billy Ray Smith Sr. He brought home a Texas Class 4A state title at Plano Senior High School before starring as a two-time unanimous All-American at the University of Arkansas, eventually earning his spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Off the field, his heart belonged to his family and the community he embraced as his own. In 1990, he married longtime ABC 10News anchor Kimberly Hunt, and two years later, they welcomed their daughter, Savannah. Together, Billy Ray and Kimberly became one of San Diego’s most respected power couples, always standing side by side in both life and local charity work.
Even as his health quietly faded in recent years, his legacy of giving back never dimmed. He helped launch the Bates Street after-school program for local kids alongside his fellow Charger teammates. Later on, he co-founded the Great Friends Foundation, raising millions of dollars to support military families across the San Diego area. Just earlier this month, he and Kimberly were named the local Nice Guys of the Year, set to be honored at their 46th annual gala come October.
While his football achievements earned him a place in fans’ hearts, his family remembers him above all as a devoted husband, father, son, and friend. His passing leaves a massive hole in America’s Finest City, but his memory lives on through the lives he touched. Service arrangements will be announced down the road, as those who loved him take time to honor a man who fought until the very end.
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