Billy Ray Smith Sr.

Infobox NFLretired
name=Billy Ray Smith, Sr.

---

caption=Billy Ray Smith Sr.
birthdate=birth date|1935|1|27
deathdate=March 21, 2001 (age age|1935|1|27|2001|3|21)
college=University of Arkansas
position=Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
number=74
83
debutyear=1957
finalyear=1970
draftyear=1957
draftround=3
draftpick=26
stat1label=Fumble Recovered
stat1value=16
stat2label=Fumble Return Yards
stat2value=20
stat3label=Interceptions
stat3value=1
teams=
* Los Angeles Rams (1957)
* Pittsburgh Steelers (1958-1960)
* Baltimore Colts (1961-1970)
pfr=SmitBi23
highlights=
* Super Bowl Champion (V)

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.Goldstein, Richard. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A06EEDA143CF930A15750C0A9679C8B63 "Billy Ray Smith, 66, Lineman Who Played in 2 Super Bowls"] - at "New York Times". - Friday, 23-Mar-2001 - Retrieved, March 23, 2001]

College career

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.Goldstein, Richard. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A06EEDA143CF930A15750C0A9679C8B63 "Billy Ray Smith, 66, Lineman Who Played in 2 Super Bowls"] - at "New York Times". - Friday, 23-Mar-2001 - Retrieved, March 23, 2001]

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