Leon Gray

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Leon Gray
No. 70, 74, 72
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born:(1951-11-15)November 15, 1951
Olive Branch, Mississippi, U.S.
Died:November 11, 2001(2001-11-11) (aged 49)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:256 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:East Side (MS)
College:Jackson State
NFL draft:1973 / Round: 3 / Pick: 78
(By the Miami Dolphins)
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:142
Games started:123
Fumble recoveries:6
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Leon Gray (November 15, 1951 – November 11, 2001) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots, Houston Oilers, and the New Orleans Saints. Gray played college football for the Jackson State Tigers.

Early life

Gray was born on November 15, 1951, in Olive Branch, Mississippi, as one of 10 children.[1] He graduated from East Side High School in Olive Branch and earned academic and music scholarships to Jackson State University.

College career

While at Jackson State, Gray played football for the Tigers from 1970–1973 as an offensive tackle. At the end of his senior season, he received several honors, including a First-team All-

Ebony Magazines, as well as the Pittsburgh Courier. Gray was nicknamed "Big Dog" in college due to his size (295 lb.).[2]

NFL career

"'Leon and John Hannah, that's as good a left side as you can get."[3]
Bill Belichick

Gray was selected in the third round of the

1976 AFC Divisional playoff round
.

"Gray had everything-the best footwork, the best balance, the greatest strength."[5]
Elvin Bethea

Despite the tough loss, the Patriots were seen by observers as one of the main Super Bowl contenders going into the

AFC Divisional playoff game
against the Houston Oilers, but the damage was done and the Patriots were beaten by the Oilers 31-14 in the first postseason game played at Schaefer Stadium.

Shortly before the start of the

Wild card round. Gray continued to excel during his time with the team, being named 1st Team All-Pro in both 1979 and 1980. He was instrumental in helping Oilers' star running back Earl Campbell rush for NFL-leading totals of 1,679 yards in 1979 and 1,934 yards in 1980. He was selected as the AFC choice for the NFLPA/Coca-Cola Offensive Lineman of the Year Award for the 1980 season. After being named to the AFC Pro Bowl team for the fourth time at the end of the 1981 NFL season, Gray was traded from the Oilers to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for quarterback Archie Manning prior to the start of the 1982 NFL season. While with the Saints, Gray blocked for two-time Pro Bowl running back George Rogers. Gray played two seasons with the Saints before retiring from the NFL after the 1983 season. He is still considered arguably the best offensive tackle to play for the New England Patriots.[11]
Gray was named to the Patriots All-1970s Team, but was notably absent from their 35th (1994) Anniversary Team.

Post-NFL activities

Gray worked in construction in the Boston area after his retirement from football.

Death

On November 11, 2001, Gray was found dead at age 49 in his modest apartment in the Roxbury section of Boston. He died of natural causes and was survived by a son, Leon Jr.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c patriots.com[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ bleacherreport.com
  3. ^ Litsky, Frank (2001-11-14). "Leon Gray, 49, All-Pro Football Lineman". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
  4. ISBN 0-9770383-0-0
    .
  5. ISBN 978-1-58261-881-4
    . p. 101.
  6. ^ "AFC East". Sports Illustrated. 1977-09-19. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  7. ^ "John Hannah, I forgive you". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  8. ^ sportsillustrated.cnn.com
  9. ^ Zimmerman, Paul (1979-12-10). "'twas Shades of Yesteryear". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
  10. ISBN 978-1-58261-881-4
    . p. 101.
  11. ^ patriots.com[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Opening More Holes". Hartford Courant. 2001-11-21. Retrieved 2023-09-11.

External links

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