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Danny McCray
Danny McCray
Danny McCray
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Danny DeWayne McCray (born March 10, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a safety and special teamer in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football for the LSU Tigers. He also played for the Chicago Bears. In 2021, he competed as a contestant on season 41 of Survivor, where he placed sixth overall.[1] He also competed on the first season of The Challenge: USA, and later on The Challenge: World Championship.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

McCray attended Westfield High School and in 2004 helped the football team to a second-place finish at the Class 5A state championship. He earned first-team all-district honors as a senior in 2005.

He went on to play at Louisiana State University (LSU) contributing mostly in special teams and as a backup both at safety and linebacker. For his career, he played in 52 games with 13 starts and recorded 196 tackles, including seven tackles for losses and three sacks.

Professional career

[edit]

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

[edit]

McCray was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2010 as an undrafted free agent, based on the recommendation of special teams coach Joe DeCamillis. The team assigned him uniform #40, previously worn by special teams star Bill Bates. As a rookie, he had 28 special teams tackles, the third-most in team history since 1988 and the most by any Cowboys player since Jim Schwantz's team-record 32 in 1996.

The next year, he led the team again in special teams tackles (19), becoming the first Cowboys player to do it consecutively since Bates did it in 1989–1990.[2] He also emerged as the unit leader, becoming a team captain by his third year.

After two seasons of playing in defensive packages as a hybrid linebacker and safety, in 2012 he got his first career start at strong safety against the Chicago Bears, replacing Barry Church who suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury. Although he started ten games and finished second on the team in tackles (87), as the season wore on, he struggled in pass coverage and his special teams play suffered dropping to second in tackles (18), eventually losing his starting position and playing time in the last two games of the season.[3]

In 2013, after the Cowboys improved their depth at safety, he accepted a reduced salary to remain with the team and avoid being waived. McCray didn’t see as much time on the defense as he did in the previous year, with the intention of focusing on special teams. New special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia changed his role, which affected his tackle production, finishing sixth on the team with eight.

Chicago Bears

[edit]

On March 18, 2014, McCray signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears, reuniting with special teams assistant Joe DeCamillis.[4] He ranked fourth on the team with ten special teams tackles and his best game came against the New York Jets, registering ten tackles on defense.[5]

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

[edit]

On May 14, 2015, McCray was re-signed by the Cowboys.[6] In the second game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown. He posted four special teams tackles but wasn't retained after the season.[7]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2010 DAL 16 0 22 16 6 0.0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2011 DAL 14 0 18 15 3 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2012 DAL 15 10 71 50 21 0.0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2013 DAL 15 0 8 7 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014 CHI 15 0 24 17 7 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
2015 DAL 16 0 3 2 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
91 10 146 107 39 1.0 2 2 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 0

Survivor

[edit]

In 2020, McCray was cast on the 41st season of the American reality competition series Survivor. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production of the season was delayed until 2021. When production resumed, McCray and 17 other contestants were flown to Fiji to participate in season 41 of the show.

Initially, McCray was placed on the Luvu tribe. After the merge, he formed an alliance with fellow Luvu alum Deshawn Radden, former Ua tribe member Shan Smith, and former Yase tribe member Liana Wallace. The alliance was tight at first, but on Day 19, McCray and Radden decided to vote Smith out of the game. The next day, McCray began reflecting on the auto-accident death of his father exactly 25 years earlier. According to McCray, his time in Fiji being on Survivor is what enabled him to finally let go of all the negativity he had suffered as a result of his father's death.[8]

On Day 21, the three remaining in McCray's alliance wanted to target Ricard Foyé, but the rest of the tribe decided to eliminate Wallace. After Foyé won immunity on Day 23, McCray and Radden suddenly became the targets. That night, the first vote ended in a tie between the two. Upon the second vote, McCray was unanimously voted out, making him the sixth member of the jury.

At the final Tribal Council on Day 26, McCray voted for Radden to win the game, but he was the only juror to do so, as Erika Casupanan earned the other seven jury votes to win Sole Survivor.

The Challenge

[edit]

In 2022, McCray competed on the CBS series The Challenge: USA where he finished as the male winner of the season, taking home $245,500. As a result of winning, McCray also competed on the series The Challenge: World Championship on Paramount+,[9][10] where he was paired with The Challenge veteran, Tori Deal, and placed second.

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2021 Survivor 41 Contestant 13th eliminated
2022 The Challenge: USA Contestant (season 1) Winner
2023 The Challenge: World Championship Contestant with Tori Deal Runner-up

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Danny McCray

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Danny DeWayne McCray (born March 10, 1988) is an American former professional football player who primarily played as a and special teamer in the (NFL). McCray attended (LSU), where he played as a , earning recognition as one of Texas's top prospects from . Undrafted in the , he signed with the as a and spent the majority of his six-season career there from 2010 to 2013 and again in 2015, with a one-year stint with the in 2014. Over 91 games, he recorded 146 tackles, two interceptions, one sack, and one forced fumble, contributing significantly on special teams and as a rotational defensive player. After retiring from the following the 2015 season, McCray gained further public attention as a contestant on the 41st season of the CBS reality competition Survivor in 2021, where he competed as a 33-year-old former athlete from , and placed sixth. He won the first season of The Challenge: USA in 2022, was a finalist on The Challenge: World Championship in 2023, and as of 2025 serves as Youth Football Development Manager for the .

Early life and education

High school career

Danny McCray was born on March 10, 1988, in , . He attended Westfield High School in , where he emerged as a promising defensive talent, playing both safety and linebacker during his high school career. As a junior, McCray recorded 96 tackles and two interceptions, showcasing his physicality and coverage skills on the field. He contributed to Westfield's successful 2004 season, helping the team advance to the Class 5A Division I state championship game at the in , where they finished as runners-up after a 28-21 loss to Tyler Lee. In his senior year, McCray earned first-team all-district honors, recognizing his standout performance as a . Beyond football, McCray was a standout track sprinter, lettering in events that complemented his athletic versatility. McCray's high school achievements drew significant recruitment interest from college programs, with scouts rating him as one of the top five defensive backs in and No. 22 nationally among safeties by . He ultimately signed with , transitioning to as a highly regarded prospect from the talent-rich area.

College career

McCray enrolled at (LSU) in 2006 and played for the LSU Tigers as a from 2006 to 2009. Over his four-year career, he appeared in 52 games with 13 starts, contributing on defense and special teams. His physical, hard-hitting style earned him recognition as one of the top defensive backs from during recruitment. McCray's statistical contributions highlighted his development as a versatile defender. In his season of 2006, he played in all 13 games, recording 30 total tackles (9 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss, 1 , and a league-leading 3 forced fumbles in the (SEC). His sophomore year in 2007 marked a breakout, with career highs of 64 total tackles (48 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 s, while starting 3 games and helping LSU secure the .
YearClassGamesStartsTotal TacklesSoloAssistedTFLSacksINTPDFF
2006FR130309210.50.0103
2007SO1436448164.03.0200
2008JR1285324292.00.0050
2009SR1324921280.50.0040
Career5213196102947.03.0393
As a junior in 2008, McCray started 8 games and posted 53 total tackles (24 solo), 2 tackles for loss, and 5 passes defended. In his senior campaign of 2009, he started 2 games, accumulating 49 total tackles (21 solo), 0.5 tackles for loss, and 4 passes defended. Overall, McCray totaled 196 tackles (102 solo), 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, 9 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles. Following the 2009 season, McCray went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft but attracted attention for his athleticism, speed, and tackling prowess, positioning him as a prospect with strong potential for special teams roles in the professional level.

NFL career

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

McCray signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2010, following his college career at Louisiana State University, where his special teams experience had honed his skills for professional play. Initially, he secured a roster spot through standout preseason performances, earning praise from special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis for his coverage abilities. Throughout his rookie season, McCray primarily contributed on special teams, leading the Cowboys with 28 tackles, the third-highest single-season total in team history since 1988. He also saw limited defensive snaps, recording 22 total tackles and securing his first career interception on September 26 against the Houston Texans, which sealed a 27-13 victory. In 2011, McCray continued as a core special teams player, again leading the team in tackles with 19 while adding 18 defensive tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. His role expanded slightly into defensive rotations, providing depth at amid injuries. By 2012, injuries to starters elevated him to a more prominent defensive position, where he started 10 games at strong and posted a career-high 71 tackles, along with his second career . These contributions underscored his versatility, as he maintained high special teams snap percentages (over 65%) while rotating into the secondary. McCray's performance dipped in 2013, limited by injuries and scheme changes, resulting in just 8 tackles across 15 games, though he still led special teams with 18 stops. Entering unrestricted free agency in 2014 after four seasons, during which he had signed a one-year restricted tender worth $1.323 million in 2013 (later restructured to approximately $700,000), did not re-sign him. His release reflected a decline in overall production from his 2012 peak, as the team prioritized rebuilding the safety position.

Chicago Bears

After being released by the Dallas Cowboys following the 2013 season, McCray signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears on March 18, 2014, reuniting him with former Cowboys special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis, now an assistant with the Bears. During the 2014 season, McCray served as a safety and key contributor on special teams, appearing in 15 games without a start and logging 277 special teams snaps (68% of team total) compared to 168 defensive snaps (17%). He recorded 24 total tackles (17 solo, 7 assisted), primarily on coverage units, and recovered one during a Week 2 win over the . McCray's defensive opportunities were limited by the Bears' depth chart at , where starters and handled most snaps amid a secondary plagued by injuries and inconsistencies during Chicago's 5-11 campaign; he occasionally filled in but saw minimal extended action, including brief stints shaken up by minor injuries like a that sidelined him for only a few plays. McCray was not re-signed by the Bears after his contract expired following the 2014 season, concluding his brief tenure with the team as he entered free agency in 2015.

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

McCray re-signed with the on a one-year contract on May 14, 2015, returning to the team where he had begun his professional career after spending the previous season with the . This move came as the Cowboys sought to bolster their special teams unit following the departure of C.J. Spillman. During the 2015 season, McCray appeared in all 16 games without recording a start, primarily contributing on special teams where he logged 292 snaps, representing 67% of the team's special teams plays. He was credited with four special teams tackles and made a notable impact by blocking a punt in Week 2 against the , which was returned for a to help secure a narrow victory. Following the conclusion of the 2015 season, McCray retired from the at the age of 27. Over his six-year career as an undrafted , he appeared in 91 games, primarily excelling as a special teams contributor for and Bears, where he ranked among team leaders in special teams tackles during multiple seasons.

Career statistics

Regular season

McCray appeared in 91 games over his career from 2010 to 2015, starting 10 of them, all during the 2012 season with the . His defensive statistics totaled 146 tackles (107 solo, 39 assists), 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 1 forced , and 1 recovery. These figures reflect his role primarily as a special teams contributor, with limited defensive starts outside of 2012. The following table summarizes McCray's career regular season defensive statistics:
CategoryTotal
Games Played91
Games Started10
Tackles (Total)146
Solo Tackles107
Assisted Tackles39
Sacks1.0
Interceptions2
Forced Fumbles1
Fumble Recoveries1
Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com A year-by-year breakdown of his defensive performance highlights variability tied to his special teams focus and occasional defensive opportunities:
YearTeamGames PlayedStartsTackles (Solo/Assist/Total)SacksInterceptionsForced FumblesFumble Recoveries
201016016/6/220.0100
201114015/3/181.0010
2012151050/21/710.0100
20131507/1/80.0000
2014CHI15017/7/240.0001
20151602/1/30.0000
Source: ESPN.com McCray's peak defensive output came in with 71 total tackles, largely due to increased starts amid secondary injuries. Throughout his , McCray's snap participation emphasized special teams, where he logged over 65% of his total snaps in seasons from to 2015, often exceeding 270 special teams plays per year. This role underscored his value as a core special teamer, with defensive contributions remaining secondary except in .

Special teams

McCray began his NFL career as an undrafted with the in 2010, quickly establishing himself as a key contributor on special teams units, particularly as a gunner on punt coverage. His speed and tackling ability allowed him to excel in high-pressure roles. Over time, McCray's role evolved from a specialist to a veteran leader, serving as the Cowboys' special teams captain in and remaining a core coverage player through his stints with the and a return to Dallas. He logged significant snaps on special teams, participating in 65-68% of his team's coverage opportunities each season from to 2015, contributing to improved field position by limiting return yards. McCray led his team in special teams tackles in multiple seasons, including 2010 (28), 2011 (19), and 2012 (18), while also recording 8 in 2013 with and 10 in 2014 with . In 2015, upon rejoining , he added 4 tackles and notably blocked a punt that was returned for a . The following table summarizes his special teams tackles by year:
YearTeamTackles
201028
201119
201218
20138
201410
20154
His consistent production helped his teams maintain strong field position advantages, with McCray's coverage work preventing big returns and supporting overall defensive positioning without overlapping into primary defensive duties.

Entertainment career

Survivor

Danny McCray was cast for as a 33-year-old former NFL player from , with the season premiering on , 2021. He began the game on the Luvu tribe, which dominated pre-merge immunity challenges, securing victories in all of them and avoiding Tribal Council entirely. On Day 14, Luvu merged with the remaining players from Ua and Yase into the Viakana tribe, the earliest merge in Survivor history at 12 contestants. McCray formed a key alliance early with tribemate Deshawn Radden, building a strong Black alliance within Luvu that extended into the merge, while also cultivating relationships with players like Xander Hastings, Shan Smith, and Liana Wallace. He contributed to strategic moves, such as targeting Naseer Muttalif for elimination on Viakana. Post-merge, Viakana faced intense challenges, including the controversial hourglass twist that disrupted alliances; McCray won an individual immunity challenge on Day 22, showcasing his physical prowess. His strategy emphasized loyalty to Radden, aiming to reach the end together, though he viewed Ricard Foyé as a formidable final opponent. McCray placed sixth, becoming the 13th person voted out on Day 23 in episode 12, "Truth ," aired December 8, 2021. With Foyé immune via an idol, votes split between McCray and Radden, resulting in a 4-2-1 initial ballot and a 4-0 revote eliminating McCray. In his final words, he expressed frustration over the blindside but pride in his , gesturing toward in a nod to his background to preserve post-game trust. As a jury member, McCray believed his and challenges wins positioned him to potentially defeat most finalists except Foyé, and he later noted the jury's unfavorable view of Radden. A central personal storyline for McCray involved processing the death of his father 25 years prior, coinciding with the game's filming around May 4, 2021—its anniversary—during a period of isolation that amplified his emotions. He reflected on long-held resentment toward his father for dying young, leaving his mother to raise three children alone, and used the experience to release that , viewing his Day 22 immunity win as a symbolic sign of resilience. This vulnerability influenced his gameplay by fostering deeper connections and emotional growth, with McCray later stating it helped fans dealing with similar .

The Challenge

McCray debuted on the MTV reality competition series The Challenge as an alumnus of CBS's Survivor, competing in the inaugural season of The Challenge: USA in 2022. Paired with various contestants throughout the competition, he demonstrated strong performance in physical and puzzle-based daily challenges, ultimately winning the season alongside Survivor winner after a grueling final in Patagonia, . For his victory, McCray earned $245,500 from the $500,000 prize pool. McCray returned for The Challenge: World Championship in 2023, where he represented the United States as part of Team USA alongside other American champions. Partnered with The Challenge veteran Tori Deal, he advanced to the finale but placed second overall, finishing behind winners Jordan Wiseley and Kaz Crossley in the international competition held in South Africa. Throughout his appearances, McCray's strategy leveraged his athletic background, with his physical prowess aiding success in demanding daily challenges such as endurance races and strength-based tasks. He formed key alliances, including a secret pact with fellow Survivor contestants that influenced voting and eliminations, helping him avoid early removal while targeting perceived threats like Big Brother alum Tyler Crispen. In World Championship, his partnership with Deal emphasized coordinated teamwork during team missions and eliminations, though internal team dynamics occasionally strained their progress. McCray's win on The Challenge: USA marked him as the first contestant from Survivor to claim victory in the broader Challenge franchise, highlighting his transition from social strategy games to high-stakes athletic competitions.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McCrDa00.htm
  2. https://lsusports.net/sports/fb/roster/player/danny-mccray/
  3. https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/danny-mccray-now-competing-on-survivor
  4. https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4774117/from-fan-to-contestant-former-cowboys-safety-danny-mccray-is-a-survivor
  5. https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/the-challenge-usa-season-1-winner-crowned-danny-mccray-takes-home-250k-prize/
  6. https://www.uiltexas.org/historical-archives/athletics/archives/football/champions.html
  7. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/danny-mccray-1.html
  8. https://www.espn.com/blog/dallascowboys/post/_/id/4670597/danny-mccray-plays-way-onto-radar
  9. https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4677446/cowboys-future-focus-danny-mccray
  10. https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/300926034
  11. https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/danny-mccray-signs-one-year-deal-with-chicago-bears-347766
  12. https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4713857/danny-mccray-takes-cut-in-pay-to-stay-with-dallas-cowboys
  13. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/7603/danny-mccray
  14. https://gameshows.fandom.com/wiki/Danny_McCray
  15. https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4725823/danny-mccray-joins-bears
  16. https://www.nfl.com/players/danny-mccray/
  17. https://www.chicagobears.com/video/nfln-mccray-s-fumble-recovery-13752255
  18. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/2014.htm
  19. https://www.si.com/nfl/2014/09/23/ap-fbn-bears-depth
  20. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/bears-notes-injuries-piling-up-in-secondary/
  21. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/cowboys-sign-danny-mccray-two-draft-picks
  22. https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-sign-danny-mccray-7th-rounder-swaim-more-roster-moves-377351
  23. https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015/5/14/8606643/cowboys-bring-back-special-teams-ace-danny-mccray
  24. https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4749582/cowboys-free-agent-watch-danny-mccray-a-special-teamer-only
  25. https://www.dallascowboys.com/video/countdown-play-26-danny-mccray-blocked-punt
  26. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/13611/danny-mccray
  27. https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2012/09/14/cowboys-special-teams-captain-danny-mccray-back-to-stop-leon-washington/
  28. https://parade.com/1258067/mikebloom/survivor-41-danny-mccray/
  29. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/survivor-41-episode-1-recap-cbs/
  30. https://www.theyoungfolks.com/review/159408/survivor-41-episode-4-review-a-new-villain-emerges-on-they-hate-me-cause-they-aint-me/
  31. https://ew.com/tv/recaps/survivor-season-41-episode-8/
  32. https://parade.com/1306457/mikebloom/danny-mccray-survivor-41-interview/
  33. https://ew.com/tv/survivor-41-danny-mccray-interview/
  34. https://ew.com/tv/survivor-danny-mccray-hourglass-twist/
  35. https://www.tvline.com/news/survivor-season-41-episode-12-danny-mccray-eliminated-interview-1234763417/
  36. https://www.goldderby.com/gallery/survivor-41-spoilers-winner-bootlist-eliminations/
  37. https://screenrant.com/survivor-41-danny-mccray-life-changing-nfl-dad/
  38. https://www.monstersandcritics.com/tv/reality-tv/the-challenge-danny-mccray-shares-how-it-really-went-with-teammate-tori-deal-in-world-championship-voting/
  39. https://ew.com/tv/recaps/the-challenge-world-championship-episode-12/
  40. https://www.goldderby.com/reality-tv/2022/the-challenge-usa-episode-8-recap-live-blog/
  41. https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys/news/dallas-danny-mccray-challenge-champion-winner-cbs-reality-tv
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