College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Guy, Ray (1949-2022)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-111

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2021

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Ray Guy was an incredible athlete that played 3 positions (K, P, SS) for Southern Mississippi from 1970-72.
  • Over his time at the school he set multiple single game and career records.
  • Became the first punter to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft (1973).
  • Right out of the gate, averaged 45.3 yards per punt his rookie season.
  • From there he led the NFL in punting average in 1974 (42.2) and ’75 (43.8).
  • Punted a career high 96 times for 4,195 yards in 1981.
  • Over his career he had a streak of 619 punts without being blocked.

ACCOLADES:

  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
  • Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
  • NFL All 1970s Team
  • Golden Toe Award
  • NFL 75th Anniversary Team
  • NFL 100th Anniversary Team
  • Pro Bowl 1973-78, ’80
  • All-Pro 1973-78
  • Second Team AP 1979-80

NOTES:

Ray was greatly disrespected by not being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame sooner. This was due to the fact that there is a longstanding stigma against special teams players. He was finally elected in 2014… and promptly stopped signing TTM.

I waited to acquire Ray’s autograph until the prices started dropping. Thankfully before the prices spiked again after his passing, I was able to pick his certified up on his Legends card.

EPITAPH:

Ray passed away on November 3rd, 2022 at the age of 72 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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