At the age of 72, Ray Guy, who was largely regarded as the best punter in history, passed away. Southern Mississippi, the player’s alma mater, announced the death of the Pro Football Hall of Famer.
His Family
Guy and his wife Beverly had 2 kids, Ryan & Amber, and although little is revealed about Beverly, she supported her husband all through his career. Guy credited Beverly as one of the primary motivations for his achievement. The Raiders punter was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014; during his speech, he made emotional references to his parents and mentioned his family. However, Guy had to auction off his Super Bowl rings after declaring bankruptcy on August 14, 2011. The rings’ auction netted $96,216, which was more than the high estimate of $90,000.
Guy was the first and only specialized punter to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014, according to records. Additionally, he made NFL history by becoming the 1st punter to be selected in the first round. Guy had remarkable all-around athleticism. He was selected as a pitcher four times by Major League Baseball teams while playing defensive back in college, establishing a Southern Miss record for 1 season with eight interceptions. He was rumored to have once thrown a ball 337 feet and kicked the ball 93 yards during his time in college.
He was chosen for the Pro Bowl seven times in the NFL and won 3 Super Bowls with the Raiders. He was a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team as well as three times finished first or second in the league in punting average. Beginning in 1992, Guy was nominated for the Hall of Fame 7 times but was never elected, and in other instances, he didn’t even make it to the final round.
Guy significantly modernized the role. His kicks were so significant that one that he made during a Pro Bowl and struck the Superdome scoresheet 90 feet above the ground contributed to the invention of the football term “hang time.”The success of the outstanding Raiders teams of the 1970s and 1980s was greatly attributed to his ability to trap the opposition deep for either high kicks or even well kicks. The Raiders head coach from 1973 to 1978, John Madden, said to Guy as “the best punter I’ve ever met.”
His Career
Guy was a four-sport star at Thomson High School in Thomson, Georgia. In addition to kicking and punting, Guy played safety, linebacker, quarterback, and tailback while guiding Thomson to a Georgia Class A state football champions league in 1967 & 1968. In 1968, Guy scored 49.7 yards per punt. Guy, who had no practice just after the 1968 championship game football game, scored 39 points while playing basketball for Thomson. Guy pitched a 15-inning, shutout game for Thomson in baseball during the 1969 state playoff semifinals. He participated in the track team as well.
When the Oakland Raiders chose Guy with the 23rd overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft, he has become the 1st punter ever to be taken in the first round. Guy spent his entire punting profession with the Raiders and made 7 Pro Bowl teams, winning six straight from 1973 to 1978. On the 75th as well as 100th anniversary teams of the NFL, he was selected as the punter. He was known for kicking long-distance punts that remained in the air.
Guy, 72, passed away in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on November 3, 2022, following a protracted illness. Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the cause.
FAQs
1. When did Ray Guy die?
Ans. 3 November 2022
2. Who is Ray Guy’s wife?
Ans. Beverly Guy
3. What is the age of Ray Guy?
Ans. 72 years
4. What is Ray Guy’s net worth?
Ans. $3 million
5. When is Ray Guy’s birthday?
Ans. 22 December 1949
Read Also: Millie Bobby Brown’s Net Worth 2022: Salary, Career, And Latest Updates
