Punter, 6'3", 190 lbs
Born: December 22, 1949, Swainsboro, Georgia
High School: Thomson (Georgia)
College: Southern Mississippi
Pro: 1973-1986 Oakland/LA Raiders
There has only been one Ray Guy. When the Raiders drafted the Southern Mississippi all-around athlete
in 1973, it marked the first time a pure punter was taken in the first round. To date, that has not been repeated.
The long lean right-footed kicker generated tremendous leg whip with his picture perfect technique. In the 1976 Pro Bowl, one of his punts hit the giant TV screen hanging from the rafters in the Louisiana Superdome. Not only did Guy punt high and far- "hang time" came into the NFL lexicon during his tenure- once he even had an opponent take a ball he punted and test for helium!
Guy's athleticism enabled him to get the ball away quickly and surely. A blocked kick was a rarity; he had no blocked kicks his first five NFL seasons and finished his career with a streak of 619 unblocked boots. Guy is ranked second on the all time career list for consecutive punts without a block!
In three years, 1974, 1975, and 1977- he led the AFC punting average. But his raw yardage was secondary to his ability to kick the ball high and keep it there so long that there was little chance of a decent return. His 42.4 career average was outstanding, but it was his hang time and placement that made him dangerous on the field. He pinned down the opposition and, if the defense upheld its part of the bargain, the Raiders invariably won the exchange of punts and the battle for field position.
