Billy Ray Smith Jr. dominated opposing offenses as one of the most ferocious linebackers in both collegiate and professional football history.
Football Bio
August 10, 1961 – Fayetteville, Arkansas – Linebacker and defensive end Billy Ray Smith Jr. from the University of Arkansas was born.
Smith was selected as the 5th overall pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 1983 NFL Draft. The Chargers and Smith Jr. were the 2nd team All-Pro in 1989, and a member of the Chargers’ 50th anniversary team.
His father, Billy Ray Smith Sr., played 13 seasons in the NFL, per Yahoo.com. Both father and son, Jr. and Sr., were named to the Arkansas All-Century team. Now, you don’t see that happen very often. I don’t know if you ever see that anywhere where you have both a father and a son be on an All-Century team for a big-time college like Arkansas.
Billy Ray Smith was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2000 class per the FootballFoundation.org website. He was a consensus All-American twice in college and was later drafted in the first round by the San Diego Chargers of the NFL, where he played for 10 great seasons.
What a star he was, Billy Ray Smith Jr., and a salute to Billy Ray Smith Sr. too, both great players.
Billy Ray Smith Jr. leaves behind an enduring legacy on the gridiron. From his dominant collegiate days at Arkansas to his stellar decade with the San Diego Chargers, he cemented his status as a legendary defensive playmaker. His extensive accolades guarantee that football fans will remember his name and his terrifying tackles for generations to come.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2000.
- All-American Honors: Two-time unanimous All-American in 1981 and 1982.
- NFL Draft: Selected 5th overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.
- All-Pro: Named Second-team All-Pro in 1989.
- Team Awards: Member of the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team.
- Collegiate Awards: Winner of the 1982 Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy.
- Arkansas Honors: Named to the Arkansas All-Century Team, Arkansas All-Decade Team, and inducted into the Razorback Hall of Honor.
- Additional Hall of Fames: Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame in 2015, and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
