The NFL world was struck with some unfortunate news regarding undeniably one of the most impactful punters in the history of professional football Ray Guy.
His alma mater, Southern Mississippi revealed that Guy passed away at 72 years old on Thursday morning after a reported lengthy illness.
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/C6k1hN4LCH
— Southern Miss Football (@SouthernMissFB) November 3, 2022
Following Guy’s three-year collegiate career at Southern Mississippi, he went on to play 14 years for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders organization.
He is widely regarded as the first great punter in football history, being the first and only punter to ever be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
During his NFL career, Guy made seven Pro Bowl appearances, three All-Pro teams, and was a three-time Super Bowl champion.
His impact was also felt in the collegiate game, with the award for the best punter in college football annually being awarded the “Ray Guy award”.
Considering the irreplaceable impact he has had on the NFL world, many took to social media to express their sadness about his passing, as well as detail their favorite moments of his playing career.
Ray Guy, a 3-time Super Bowl champion, 6-time First Team All Pro and the first pure punter inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has passed away at the age of 73.
Guy was considered by many to be the greatest punter of all time. RIP. pic.twitter.com/kDvGzoN1eu
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 3, 2022
Ray Guy, best punter in NFL history, RIP. Only 72.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 3, 2022
Ah man, RIP Ray Guy.
His teammates called him "a weapon" for the defense during the Raiders' runs in the 70s and 80s. https://t.co/ZIZVczAZTQ
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) November 3, 2022
I can still hear my father yelling at me to come to the TV to watch Ray Guy punt. RIP.
— Jason Gay (@jasongay) November 3, 2022
In 1977 the Houston Oilers were so mystified by the hang time on Ray Guy's kicks that they suspected him of filling footballs with helium, and coach Bum Phillips and returner Billy Johnson held onto one of the footballs to have it tested. Guy was cleared. https://t.co/9DiDY6dgxa
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) November 3, 2022
Even as a punter, Ray Guy managed to embody the Raiders' rugged, renegade mystique. RIP. https://t.co/9oD6pbDsrq
— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 3, 2022
Farewell, Ray Guy. Legend.
— Jon Weisman (@jonweisman) November 3, 2022
It speaks volumes that the Raiders took Ray Guy in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft, which was the first and only time a punter has ever been selected with a first-round pick in the draft.
That certainly turned out to be an excellent decision given his talent that was well beyond his era of football, and Guy will live in the hearts of many Raiders fans for years to come.
