The family of Billy Ray Smith Jr. confirmed that the College Football Hall of Famer and San Diego Chargers linebacker passed away at 64 on July 29, 2026, following years of struggling with dementia linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Smith Jr. spent his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers, a decade-long stint that earned him a place on the organization’s 50th Anniversary roster. The loyalty he demonstrated to a single franchise throughout his playing days stands as an increasingly rare accomplishment in contemporary professional sports.

Tributes Pour in From the Football World

Chargers owner Dean Spanos released a statement honoring Smith Jr. not simply as a gifted athlete but as someone whose personality left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered. Spanos said, “To know Billy Ray was to love Billy Ray,” describing him as charismatic and the embodiment of true friendship.

The football community responded to news of his death with widespread expressions of grief. Former teammates, broadcasting partners, and team leadership celebrated both his accomplishments between the lines and the character he displayed throughout his life.

From College Glory to Professional Success

Before his professional achievements, Smith Jr. established himself as a defensive force at the collegiate level. His performance during those years eventually resulted in induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, an Atlanta-based institution that represents the sport’s highest honor for players from the college ranks.

The National Football Foundation administers the selection process for Hall of Fame inductees, maintaining strict standards that only a minuscule fraction of all players ever satisfy. Smith Jr. met those demanding requirements through his exceptional linebacker play during his college years.

A Final Battle Met With Courage

According to a statement released by his relatives, Smith Jr. confronted his diagnosis and decline with extraordinary resolve. “Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia caused by CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength,” the family wrote, noting that he passed away “peacefully surrounded by family.”

The degenerative brain condition has claimed numerous former players, becoming one of the most significant concerns confronting professional football. CTE results from repeated head trauma and has sparked continuing debates about player safety, the league’s obligations to retired athletes, and long-term health care.

His relatives said the decline was difficult to witness but emphasized that he approached it with the same determination that defined his athletic career. For them, watching a vibrant figure endure such hardship reinforced the toll the sport can exact even decades after the final whistle.

Broadcasting Career and Youth Mentorship

After retiring from the game, Smith Jr. moved into television and radio work, maintaining his connection to football while reaching audiences in a different capacity. Those who worked alongside him in broadcasting valued his analysis and presence as much as fans had appreciated his playing days.

He also committed himself to helping young people through an after-school program for children. Collaborators on those efforts observed that his generosity and compassion outside the stadium matched the ferocity he once brought to the field.

His family described him as a “devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend” who brought joy to every setting. They said his absence leaves a void that cannot be filled and that his legacy will endure in the hearts of everyone whose lives he touched.

Left to mourn Billy Ray Smith Jr. are his wife Kimberly and daughter Savannah, along with additional relatives, who requested that his memory honor not only his athletic achievements but also the warmth and humanity he shared with everyone around him.