Smith, who graduated from Denver East High School in 1971 and went on to a degree in communications from the University of Denver, was a fixture on sports radio talk shows since the 1980s.

He started as a cub reporter for the now-defunct KDKO, where he eventually hosted a midday "Sports Rap" show. He later moved to KYBG and to KKFN, where he worked both the AM and FM side of the dial.

Smith, who for years was the only African-American voice in the crowded Denver sports talk-show business, in 2000 was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Association of Black Journalists.

He also was closely involved in Colorado high school athletics and for several years was part of a Denver Post panel that awarded a weekly prep football coaching award.

Smith had multiple sclerosis, a disease that left him unable to walk.

"It's a very sad day for anyone who knew Thierry, and for Denver in general," KKFN program director Tim Spence told Westword on Tuesday. "Thierry was the consummate professional, the consummate journalist and one of the hardest-working guys I've ever known."

"And he did all of that while dealing with MS. He was a true warrior."