University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Guy Inducted into National High School Hall of Fame
7/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Guy Inducted into National High School Hall of Fame
, Miss? Former Southern Miss All-American punter Ray Guy was among 11 individuals inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame on July 5 in
The 11 individuals were selected for the National High School Hall of Fame after a two-level selection process. A screening committee composed of active high school administrators, coaches and officials, and a final selection committee composed of coaches, officials, former athletes, state association officials, media representatives, and educational leaders, completes the selection process. Nominations were made through member state high school athletic/activity associations.
Guy?s class is the 22nd to be inducted into the NFHS, which increased its number in the Hall of Fame to 301. The NFHS began inducting members in 1982 with the goal to honor high school athletes, coaches, contest officials, administrators, fine arts coaches/directors and others for their extraordinary achievements and accomplishments in high school athletes.
Guy excelled in four sports at Thomson (
As a member of the football team, Guy saw action at quarterback, defensive back, punter, and kicker, leading Thomson High to two state championships. He was an all-state selection twice, also receiving honorable mention recognition as a sophomore. For his efforts, Guy was the runnerup as the
On the baseball diamond, Guy was a pitcher and outfielder, playing in two state playoff games. He received all-state recognition, played in the
At Southern Miss, Guy recorded a 77-yard punt in his first collegiate game, and led the NCAA in punting in 1972 with a 46.2 average. As a senior, he was a unanimous All-American selection, the first in Southern Miss history.
Guy concluded his three-year Southern Miss career with a 44.7 yard punting average, and recorded three punts of over 70 yards, including a school record 93-yarder.
In addition, Guy also saw playing time as a defensive back and place kicker at Southern Miss, notching 18 career interceptions. He also kicked a 61-yard field goal in a snowstorm in
Guy was also a pitcher for the Southern Miss baseball team. He recorded a no-hitter, and averaged 1.5 strikeouts per inning. He also recorded 16 strikeouts in one game.
Following his collegiate career, Guy was selected with the 22nd pick by the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft, the first punter ever chosen in the first round.
He played his entire 14-year career with the Raiders, playing in 207 consecutive games, recording seven Pro Bowl appearances, including six straight. Guy won three Super Bowls, and was selected to the 25th Silver Anniversary Super Bowl team.
Guy retired in 1987, but finished with a 42.4 lifetime punting average, 44,541 yards, or about 25 miles.
He was selected to the NFL?s 75th anniversary all-time team and the Walter Camp All-Century team. Guy was also named to John Madden?s all-time team, and was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994, the first punter ever to be nominated.
Guy?s jersey was the first to be retired in Southern Miss history, and he was inducted into the Southern Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Cellular One Team of the Century in 2001.
In December, he will be inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, marking the first Southern Miss player to be inducted and the first punter to be inducted.
