Professional Football Player. He was the second born of three boys and grew up in rural Chesterfield County, Virginia. He aspired to be a professional football player after watching his cousin, Carroll Dale, on television playing for the Green Bay Packers. At Collegiate School, Ray lettered in five sports and was voted the best all-around athlete his senior year. In 1972 he graduated from the University of Richmond, having earned numerous awards his senior year there including All Southern Conference and Little All-American. In the spring of 1972 he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the ninth round. He played eight seasons as a free safety, strong safety and occasional kickoff returner. He appeared in 83 games recording 13 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries, retiring after the 1979 season. His best game was against Walter Payton in October of 1977 where Ray had 20 unassisted tackles and two interceptions. That year, the Falcons' "Gritz Blitz" held their opponents to 129 points, an all-time record that has never been broken.
Professional Football Player. He was the second born of three boys and grew up in rural Chesterfield County, Virginia. He aspired to be a professional football player after watching his cousin, Carroll Dale, on television playing for the Green Bay Packers. At Collegiate School, Ray lettered in five sports and was voted the best all-around athlete his senior year. In 1972 he graduated from the University of Richmond, having earned numerous awards his senior year there including All Southern Conference and Little All-American. In the spring of 1972 he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the ninth round. He played eight seasons as a free safety, strong safety and occasional kickoff returner. He appeared in 83 games recording 13 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries, retiring after the 1979 season. His best game was against Walter Payton in October of 1977 where Ray had 20 unassisted tackles and two interceptions. That year, the Falcons' "Gritz Blitz" held their opponents to 129 points, an all-time record that has never been broken.
Bio by: Running Deer
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