Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame
Ray Guy
- Induction:
- 1978
Ray Guy is without question the greatest kicker that the University of Southern Mississippi has ever produced and is arguably the finest athlete to have ever played for the Golden Eagles.
When Guy arrived on the Southern Miss campus in 1969 it was obvious that he was something special and even more evident in the 1970 season opener, his first game as a Golden Eagle, when he booted a 77-yard punt against Southwestern Louisiana, still the second longest in school history.
Guy was the NCAA’s leading punter in 1972 with a 46.2 yard average and averaged 44.7 yards for 200 punts during three varsity seasons, the fifth best in NCAA history. He averaged 45.3 yards as a sophomore, which was second in the nation, and 42.9 yards as a junior. Three times he had punts over 70 yards, including a 93-yarder against Ole Miss in 1972, the sixth longest in NCAA history.
The versatile Guy was also an outstanding field goal kicker hitting 25 in his career and once kicking a 61-yarder at Utah State setting what at the time was an NCAA record.
Doubling as a safety, he finished his USM career with 18 interceptions, the second best in school history and also worked as one of the team’s backup quarterbacks.
He was a unanimous choice as an All-American in 1972 and was elected into the USM Sports Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1978.
Guy is also recognized one of the best baseball pitchers in Golden Eagle history, pitching one of only five no-hitters in school history and being drafted over three years by the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves.
Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft, the 23rd pick overall, Guy was the first punter ever taken in the first round and went on to become the greatest punter in the history of the NFL. During 14 seasons in the NFL he punted 1,049 times for 44,541 yards and a career average of 42.5 yards per punt. He played in 207 games in a row, never missing a game in 14 seasons. Guy played in 22 post-season games, including three wins in Super Bowls after the 1976, 1980 and 1983 seasons. His 111 career punts in post-season games is an NFL record and he was the leading punter in the NFL three times, was second three times and third once. Seven times he was selected to the Pro Bowl.
What made Ray Guy so unique is the combination of his God given abilities in addition to his personal drive for perfection that earned for him the title of the greatest punter ever. Few will ever kick the football higher, farther or more perfectly than did Ray Guy, and his talent, heart and love for the game has reserved for him a position, reserved for all but a very few in professional and college football.
Guy (No. 43) and Brett Favre (#4) are the only two Southern Miss football players to have their jerseys retired by the school.
Guy was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
When Guy arrived on the Southern Miss campus in 1969 it was obvious that he was something special and even more evident in the 1970 season opener, his first game as a Golden Eagle, when he booted a 77-yard punt against Southwestern Louisiana, still the second longest in school history.
Guy was the NCAA’s leading punter in 1972 with a 46.2 yard average and averaged 44.7 yards for 200 punts during three varsity seasons, the fifth best in NCAA history. He averaged 45.3 yards as a sophomore, which was second in the nation, and 42.9 yards as a junior. Three times he had punts over 70 yards, including a 93-yarder against Ole Miss in 1972, the sixth longest in NCAA history.
The versatile Guy was also an outstanding field goal kicker hitting 25 in his career and once kicking a 61-yarder at Utah State setting what at the time was an NCAA record.
Doubling as a safety, he finished his USM career with 18 interceptions, the second best in school history and also worked as one of the team’s backup quarterbacks.
He was a unanimous choice as an All-American in 1972 and was elected into the USM Sports Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1978.
Guy is also recognized one of the best baseball pitchers in Golden Eagle history, pitching one of only five no-hitters in school history and being drafted over three years by the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves.
Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft, the 23rd pick overall, Guy was the first punter ever taken in the first round and went on to become the greatest punter in the history of the NFL. During 14 seasons in the NFL he punted 1,049 times for 44,541 yards and a career average of 42.5 yards per punt. He played in 207 games in a row, never missing a game in 14 seasons. Guy played in 22 post-season games, including three wins in Super Bowls after the 1976, 1980 and 1983 seasons. His 111 career punts in post-season games is an NFL record and he was the leading punter in the NFL three times, was second three times and third once. Seven times he was selected to the Pro Bowl.
What made Ray Guy so unique is the combination of his God given abilities in addition to his personal drive for perfection that earned for him the title of the greatest punter ever. Few will ever kick the football higher, farther or more perfectly than did Ray Guy, and his talent, heart and love for the game has reserved for him a position, reserved for all but a very few in professional and college football.
Guy (No. 43) and Brett Favre (#4) are the only two Southern Miss football players to have their jerseys retired by the school.
Guy was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
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