Ray Guy

Bio

Southern Mississippi’s Ray Guy holds the distinction of being the first punter elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. Guy set new standards for the length, height and hang-time of punts. In his first game he booted a 77-yarder. It was the first of three 70-plus yard punts he kicked in his career. One was a 93-yarder. He led the nation as a senior with a 46.2 average and compiled a 44-yard average for his career. He was a unanimous All-America selection and was named to the Walter Camp All-Century team. Guy also acted as the team’s place-kicker. However, he was more than just a specialist, Guy was a complete player who was also a three-year starter at free safety and had the ability to play quarterback in emergency situations. As a place-kicker he kicked a then NCAA record 61-yard field goal through a snowstorm against Utah. In the defensive backfield, he had 18 career interceptions. Ray was a well-rounded athlete who also excelled in baseball where he threw a no-hitter. His collegiate abilities made him the first punter ever selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Ray played 14 seasons for the Oakland Raiders winning three Super Bowl titles. In the 1976 Pro Bowl, one of his punts was so high that it clipped the giant TV screen hanging from the roof of the Louisiana Superdome. His professional play earned him selection to the NFL’s 75th anniversary team while the nation’s top collegiate punter annually receives the Ray Guy Award.

Career Highlights

• 1972 First Team All-America
• 1972 Led nation in punting