Hall of Fame punter Ray Guy dies at 72 following lengthy illness after winning three Super Bowls

Ray Guy, considered by many to be the greatest punter in NFL history, passed away Thursday at 72 after a lengthy illness.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer’s death was announced by his alma mater, Southern Mississippi.

A six-time All-Pro selection and seven-time Pro Bowler, Guy became the first punter in NFL history to get taken in the first round of the draft when he was picked by the Oakland Raiders in 1973. He went on to win three Super Bowls with the team – two in Oakland and a third in Los Angeles. 

Ray Guy, considered by many to be the greatest punter in NFL history, passed away Thursday at 72 after a lengthy illness

Ray Guy #8 of the Oakland Raiders punts the ball during an NFL football game circa 1980. Guy played for the Raiders from 1973-86 

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Oakland Raider punter Ray Guy kicks off a fund drive for the Paramount Theatre in 1975

Guy’s towering punts are credited with coining the phrase ‘hang time,’ which is how all players are the position are now judged.

He never missed a game in his 14 seasons, appearing in 207 games.

Guy had two children, Ryan and Amber, with his wife, Beverly.

In 2000, the annual Ray Guy award was created to honor the top college punter in the country.

In 2011, he filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell his Super Bowl rings at auction, earning $96,216 in the process. 

Guy remains the only full-time punter enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Guy averaged 42.4 yards per kick from 1973 until 1986, leading the league in the category three times. He also dropped a whopping 209 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line.

The longest punt of his career came against the Denver Broncos in 1977 when booted the ball 74 yards.

Guy’s passing follows the deaths of other Raiders legends such as quarterback Daryl Lamonica, who passed away in April, and former head coach John Madden, who died in December.  

Punter Ray Guy #8 of the Oakland Raiders prepares to kick against the Baltimore Colts at Baltimore Memorial Stadium on September 28, 1975 in Baltimore