Former Raiders Punter Ray Guy Passes Away At 73
Nov 3, 2022, 9:33 AM | Updated: 9:43 am
(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
The NFL announced Thursday morning that former Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders punter Ray Guy has passed away. He was 73 years old.
Guy was the first pure punter to enter the NFL’s Hall of Fame. And boy did he earn that accolade.
In his 14-year career, Guy:
- Was the first punter selected in the first round of the NFL Draft
- Earned seven trips to the Pro Bowl
- Was named to three first-team All-Pro selections
- Holds the Raiders record for most career punts at 1,049
- Appeared in every game (207) and reached the Super Bowl three times
- Only had three punts blocked
- Was named to the 1970s All-Decade Team
Before he entered the NFL, he also played defensive end in college at Southern Miss. Guy still holds the school’s single-season record for the most interceptions at eight.
“Ray was a warm, humble Southern gentleman who represented the game, the Raiders organization and the Hall of Fame with dignity and class at all times,” Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “A truly gifted athlete, he could have been a star in Major League Baseball or pro basketball. Fans of the NFL thank Ray for choosing to focus on football.”
Ray Guy, a 3-time Super Bowl champion, 6-time First Team All Pro and the first pure punter inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has passed away at the age of 73.
Guy was considered by many to be the greatest punter of all time. RIP. pic.twitter.com/kDvGzoN1eu
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 3, 2022