Billy Ray Smith Jr., Chargers Legend and Broadcaster, Dies at 64 After Battle with CTE
Billy Ray Smith Jr., the former San Diego Chargers linebacker and College Football Hall of Famer who later became a beloved sports broadcaster, died Wednesday at age 64. His family confirmed in a statement that Smith passed away following a battle with dementia caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. Smith’s wife, Kimberly Hunt, a news anchor at ABC 10News in San Diego, broke the news, as reported by the station.
Smith was a cornerstone of the Chargers’ defense for a decade. Selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft—a class famous for quarterbacks like John Elway—Smith played all 126 of his NFL games with the Chargers from 1983 to 1992, long before the franchise relocated to Los Angeles in 2017. Despite being Texas-raised and Arkansas-educated, Smith became deeply embedded in the San Diego sports community, earning a reputation as an exceptional linebacker who lived up to his first-round billing.
After retiring from football, Smith transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, becoming a familiar voice and face on San Diego sports radio and television. His loyalty to the city was unwavering; he remained in San Diego long after the Chargers departed, continuing to engage with fans and support local causes. Smith’s legacy extends beyond the gridiron, as his family’s openness about his CTE diagnosis has brought attention to the long-term risks of football-related head injuries.
Smith is survived by his wife, Kimberly Hunt, and their family. The Chargers organization and the San Diego community mourn the loss of a player who gave his all on the field and remained a cherished figure off it. His battle with CTE underscores the ongoing conversation about player safety and the lasting impact of football on its athletes.
Shimanta Das 
