Ray Guy, one of the greatest punters in football history and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, has died. His alma mater Southern Miss announced his death on Thursday morning, stating that Guy died following a “lengthy illness.” He was 73 years old.
The Georgia native played at the school from 1969 to ’72, earning All-America honors, before becoming a first-round NFL draft pick in 1973. He played his entire NFL career for the Raiders franchise, donning the silver and black from 1973 to ’86. During his career, he made eight total All-Pro teams, with first-team selections every year from 1973 to ’78, and second team selections the next two seasons. He was also a seven-time Pro Bowler, and later was selected to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team, and the league’s 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time teams.
The Ray Guy Award, which was first presented in 2000, is given annually to the nation’s best collegiate punter.
Guy was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
