Who was Ray Guy?
NFL FANS and commentators regarded the late Ray Guy as one of the greatest kickers in the league's history.
Prior to Ray's death, the football star earned several accolades and was even inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
Who was Ray Guy?
Born on December 22, 1949, Ray Guy was an American football player from Swainsboro, Georgia.
After his NCAA success at the University of Southern Mississippi, he was drafted into the NFL in 1973.
At that year's draft, he was selected by the Oakland Raiders.
Throughout his time with the Raiders, Ray was highlighted for his punting and kicking skills on the field.
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Ray and the Raiders became three-time Super Bowl champions with their wins in 1977, 1981, and 1984.
In 1994, he was honored as one of the league's greatest players and chosen to be a part of the NFL's 75th Anniversary team.
He was recognized again and punted for the league's 100th-anniversary team in 2019.
For the entirety of his on-field career, Ray stuck with the Raiders as their premiere punter until 1986.
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When did Ray retire?
In June 1987, Ray revealed that he was retiring from the Raiders and from the league.
Regarding his decision, he told the Hattiesburg American: "There were just a lot of things that came up.
"I always said that if I got to the point where I couldn’t produce the way I want to, where I couldn’t help the team to satisfy the way I feel inside, I would give it up, and that’s what I did.
"I’ve had a lot of back problems the last few years, and every year it’s gotten worse."
He attributed his retirement to back problems and his life with his family and shared: "My boy is 9 years old, and I can see the toll it’s taking on him.
"He’d start school in California and finish here in Mississippi, and it’s not fair to him."
On August 2, 2014, the retired star became the first punter ever to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
He was finally recognized after being considered since 1994, he famously ended his induction speech by saying: "Now the Hall of Fame has a complete team."
When did Ray die?
On November 3, 2022, Ray's college alma mater revealed that he died at the age of 73.
He is survived by his two children Ryan and Amber from his marriage to his wife Beverly.
Years before his death, Ray was honored by USM with a street in his honor named Ray Guy Way.
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He is further memorialized by the Ray Guy Award, which was first established in 2000.
The annual award goes out to the college football player recognized by the Augusta Sports Council as their respective school's best punter.