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Billy Ray Smith, Sr.
File:Billy Ray Smith Sr. jpg.jpg
Billy Ray Smith Sr.
No. 74
83     
Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
Personal information
Date of birth: (1935-01-27)January 27, 1935
Date of death: March 21, 2001 (age 66)
Career information
College: University of Arkansas
NFL Draft: 1957 / Round: 3 / Pick: 26
Debuted in 1957 for the [[{{{debutteam}}}]]
Last played in 1970 for the [[{{{finalteam}}}]]
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • Super Bowl Champion (V)
Fumble Recovered     16
Fumble Return Yards     20
Interceptions     1
Stats at pro-football-reference.com

Billy Ray Smith, Sr. (January 27, 1935 – March 21, 2001) was a National Football League defensive lineman (1957–1970).

NFL career[]

Billy Ray Smith, Sr. began his NFL career in 1957, as the third round draft pick for the Los Angeles Rams. He was traded to the Steelers in 1958 and played for Pittsburgh until 1960. In 1961, he was traded to the Baltimore Colts. It was in Baltimore that he would make his mark on professional football. Nicknamed "The Rabbit" by his teammates, Smith became a mainstay and captain of a defensive line, which took the Colts to Super Bowl III and Super Bowl V during his career. His game motto was simple: "We always play for a shutout. Nothing fancy, nothing sensational. Just a shutout." Smith retired from professional football in 1971 after the Colts defeated the Cowboys in Super Bowl V, ending his 13-year career.[1]

College career[]

After graduating from Augusta High School, Bowden Wyatt's Arkansas Razorbacks offered Smith a football scholarship, and in 1953, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas. In January 1955, Smith and the Razorbacks won the Southwest Conference Football Championship at the Cotton Bowl. In 1956, Smith was named to the first All Southwest Conference Team.[1]

Billy Ray Smith Sr. was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1976, and enshrined into the University of Arkansas' Hall of Honor in 1994. He was named to the All-Decade Team of the 1950s, and the Arkansas All-Century Team. In 1999, Sports Illustrated named him as one of the "Fifty Greatest Sports Figures from Arkansas".

Professional career[]

After retiring from the NFL, Smith became an investment banker. He was the father of 4 children. His son, Billy Ray Smith, Jr. was an NFL linebacker, playing ten years with the San Diego Chargers. He was also a two-time All-American with the University of Arkansas.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Goldstein, Richard."Billy Ray Smith, 66, Lineman Who Played in 2 Super Bowls" - at New York Times. - Friday, 23-Mar-2001 - Retrieved, March 23, 2001
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