Billy Ray Smith Jr Biography – Billy Ray Smith Jr. was born on 10 August 1961. He was passed away on 29 July 2026.
He was an American football player. He played college football as a linebacker for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
During his college career, he was named a two-time All-American. After college, he played in the National Football League (NFL).
He spent 10 seasons with the San Diego Chargers. Smith was known as one of the top linebackers of his time.

Billy Ray Smith Jr Biography
Billy Ray Smith Jr. was born on August 10, 1961, and passed away on July 29, 2026. He was an American professional football player.
He played as a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers in the NFL. Smith spent 10 seasons with the Chargers during the 1980s and 1990s.
Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was named a unanimous All-American twice during his college career.
In the 1983 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers selected him in the first round.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Billy Ray Smith Jr. |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 1961 |
| Date of Death | July 29, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 64 years |
| Birthplace | Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional Football Player |
| Position | Linebacker |
| NFL Team | San Diego Chargers |
| NFL Draft | 1983, 1st Round (5th Overall) |
Billy Ray Smith Jr Family

Billy Ray Smith Jr. was married to Kimberly Hunt. The couple married in 1990. Kimberly Hunt is a longtime news anchor in San Diego.
They have one daughter named Savannah. Smith is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their daughter, Savannah.
He also came from a well-known football family. His father, Billy Ray Smith Sr., was a former Arkansas football player and an NFL defensive lineman.
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Billy Ray Smith Sr. |
| Wife | Kimberly Hunt |
| Marriage Year | 1990 |
| Daughter | Savannah Smith |
Billy Ray Smith Jr Career
Billy Ray Smith Jr. played college football at the University of Arkansas under head coach Lou Holtz. He was named a unanimous All-American in 1981 and 1982.
In 1982, he served as the team captain. That season, Arkansas finished with a 9–2–1 record and won the Bluebonnet Bowl by defeating Florida.
Smith finished his college career with 229 total tackles. He also set a school record with 63 tackles for loss. He was later named to the Arkansas All-Decade Team and the Arkansas All-Century Team.
Smith was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Razorback Hall of Honor. In 2000, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
In the 1983 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers selected him with the fifth overall pick. He was the first defensive player chosen in that draft.
Smith played his entire 10-year NFL career with the Chargers. He was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1986.
In 1987, he received the Chargers’ Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. He earned second-team All-AFC honors in 1986 and 1987.
He was also named second-team All-Pro in 1989. His best NFL season came in 1986, when he recorded a career-high 11 sacks.
In 2009, fans and Chargers Hall of Famers voted him to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team.
Billy Ray Smith Jr Net Worth
Billy Ray Smith Jr.’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. There are no official records that reveal his personal wealth.
His salary as a sports broadcaster has also never been made public. Most of his income came from his 10-year NFL career and his later work as a sports broadcaster in San Diego.
Because financial details were kept private, there is no verified estimate of his net worth or broadcasting earnings.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Main Income Sources | NFL career and sports broadcasting |
| Broadcasting Career | Sports broadcaster in San Diego after retiring from football |
Billy Ray Smith Jr Early Life
Billy Ray Smith Jr. was born on August 10, 1961, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was the son of Billy Ray Smith Sr., a former Arkansas football player and NFL defensive lineman.
Smith Jr. grew up in Plano, Texas. He attended Plano Senior High School. In 1977, he helped his school win the Texas Class 4A state football championship.
The championship game was played in front of a record crowd of 49,953 fans at Texas Stadium. In 1989, he was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| Raised In | Plano, Texas |
| High School | Plano Senior High School |
| High School Achievement | Helped win the Texas Class 4A State Championship (1977) |
| Hall of Fame | Texas High School Football Hall of Fame (1989) |
Billy Ray Smith Jr Education
Billy Ray Smith Jr. attended Plano Senior High School in Plano, Texas. He completed his high school education there.
After graduating, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas. At Arkansas, he played college football as a linebacker.
Along with his football career, he completed his studies. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in finance.
| Education | Details |
|---|---|
| High School | Plano Senior High School |
| University | University of Arkansas |
| Degree | Finance |
Billy Ray Smith Jr Personal Life
Billy Ray Smith Jr. married Kimberly Hunt in 1990. The couple had one daughter together. Smith passed away on July 29, 2026, at the age of 64.
According to his family, he had been living with dementia caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Hunt, and their daughter.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Wife | Kimberly Hunt |
| Children | One daughter, Savannah |
| Health | Lived with dementia caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) |
| Date of Death | July 29, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 64 years |
Billy Ray Smith Jr Awards
He has received many honors during his football career. He was named a unanimous All-American two times while playing for the University of Arkansas.
In 2000, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Razorback Hall of Honor.
Smith was named to the Arkansas All-Decade Team and the Arkansas All-Century Team. In 2009, he was selected to the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team.
These achievements recognize him as one of the greatest players in Arkansas and Chargers football history.
| Award / Honor | Details |
|---|---|
| Unanimous All-American | 1981, 1982 |
| College Football Hall of Fame | Inducted in 2000 |
| Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame | Inductee |
| Razorback Hall of Honor | Inductee |
| Arkansas All-Decade Team | Selected |
| Arkansas All-Century Team | Selected |
| Chargers 50th Anniversary Team | Selected in 2009 |
FAQ – Billy Ray Smith Jr Biography
1. Who was Billy Ray Smith Jr.?
Ans – Billy Ray Smith Jr. was an American NFL linebacker who played 10 seasons with the San Diego Chargers.
2. Who was Billy Ray Smith Jr. wife?
Ans – Billy Ray Smith Jr. was married to Kimberly Hunt, a longtime San Diego news anchor.
3. What was Billy Ray Smith Jr. net worth?
Ans – Billy Ray Smith Jr. exact net worth was not publicly disclosed.
4. What were Billy Ray Smith Jr. biggest achievements?
Ans – He was an 2 time All-American. He is also an College Football Hall of Fame inductee and a Chargers 50th Anniversary Team member.
5. When did Billy Ray Smith Jr. pass away?
Ans – Billy Ray Smith Jr. passed away on 29 July 2026 at the age of 64.
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