Photo by: Associated Press
10/4/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football, General, Cotton Bowl Classic Memorials
ARLINGTON, Texas – Jim Ray Smith, who spent over 30 years on the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Board of Directors serving as CBAA Chair from 1984-86 and Team Selection Chair from 1994-96, passed away at the age of 94 on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Â
Smith played offensive tackle and guard at Baylor from 1952-54, earning All-America honors twice (first team in 1953, second team in 1954) and All-Conference recognition twice. He went on to play nine seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, earning five consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1958-62 while blocking for Jim Brown, and Dallas Cowboys.
Â
His play on the field garnered him induction into three Halls of Fame – Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame (1968), College Football Hall of Fame (1987) and Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2007).
Â
After his days on the gridiron, Smith went on to build a distinguished career in the Dallas real estate market. Smith specialized in warehouse leasing and industrial space distribution and handled Gaylord's real estate interests in the Dallas area for 28 years.
Â
"Jim Ray Smith was a tremendous leader, a legendary football player and, most importantly, a great man who gave so much to the Cotton Bowl Classic," said CBAA President & Chief Executive Officer Dave Marmion. "His impact on our organization spanned over half a century, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations."
Â
Follow the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.
Â
Â
Smith played offensive tackle and guard at Baylor from 1952-54, earning All-America honors twice (first team in 1953, second team in 1954) and All-Conference recognition twice. He went on to play nine seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, earning five consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1958-62 while blocking for Jim Brown, and Dallas Cowboys.
Â
His play on the field garnered him induction into three Halls of Fame – Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame (1968), College Football Hall of Fame (1987) and Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2007).
Â
After his days on the gridiron, Smith went on to build a distinguished career in the Dallas real estate market. Smith specialized in warehouse leasing and industrial space distribution and handled Gaylord's real estate interests in the Dallas area for 28 years.
Â
"Jim Ray Smith was a tremendous leader, a legendary football player and, most importantly, a great man who gave so much to the Cotton Bowl Classic," said CBAA President & Chief Executive Officer Dave Marmion. "His impact on our organization spanned over half a century, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations."
Â
Follow the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.
Â
Thursday, October 29
Friday, October 23
Thursday, October 15
Thursday, October 15
