Billy Ray Smith Jr. Remembered | San Diego News

Billy Ray Smith Jr., San Diego’s beloved football legend and sportscaster, died at 64 from dementia linked to CTE — a tragic reminder of the toll repeated head impacts can take. On what would have been his 65th birthday, friends and fans gathered at the VFW in Encinitas for a heartfelt tribute, honoring not just his 10-year Chargers career, but his enduring legacy as a community pillar who gave tirelessly to local charities and mentored young people. Known for his fierce intensity on the field and boundless generosity off it, Smith never regretted his football life — believing it forged his character and built his family. His former co-hosts called it “one last broadcast,” a moving celebration of a man whose impact resonated far beyond the gridiron. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/0e9c9ae6e189b76f