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.
 
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.
 
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).
 
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.
 
"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."
 
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