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Leon Gray
Leon Gray
Leon Gray
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Leon Gray (November 15, 1951 – November 11, 2001) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots, Houston Oilers, and the New Orleans Saints. Gray played college football for the Jackson State Tigers.

Key Information

Early life

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Gray was born on November 15, 1951, in Olive Branch, Mississippi, as one of 10 children.[1] He graduated from East Side High School in Olive Branch and earned academic and music scholarships to Jackson State University.

College career

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While at Jackson State, Gray played football for the Tigers from 1970–1973 as an offensive tackle. At the end of his senior season, he received several honors, including a First-team All-SWAC selection and team MVP. He was also named to the All-American teams of both Playboy and Ebony Magazines, as well as the Pittsburgh Courier. Gray was nicknamed "Big Dog" in college due to his size (295 lb.).[2]

Professional career

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"'Leon and John Hannah, that's as good a left side as you can get."[3]
Bill Belichick

Gray was selected in the third round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. However, due to their depth at offensive line, he never played for the team. He was cut before the start of the 1973 NFL season and claimed on waivers by the New England Patriots. Gray was recommended to Chuck Fairbanks, who had just taken over as head coach of the Patriots, by an Eastern Airlines pilot named Bruce Kostamo who had played for Fairbanks in high school.[4] Gray played in the final nine games of the '73 season, starting eight at left tackle. He continued to develop during the 1974 and 1975 seasons and by 1976 he was viewed as one of the best left tackles in the game. Gray was not only strong at run-blocking, but in pass-protection, as well. He was a major factor in quarterback Steve Grogan being sacked only 14 times in 1977.[1] Along with guard John Hannah, the two formed what was generally considered the best guard/tackle tandem in the NFL.[1] Gray and Hannah also combined with tight end Russ Francis to form one of the strongest left-side trios in the league. At the end of the 1976 NFL season, Gray was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the first time. Due in no small part to the efforts of Gray and Hannah, the Patriots enjoyed one of the finest seasons in franchise history in '76, finishing with an 11-3 record. This earned them the AFC Wild card spot and a rematch with the Oakland Raiders. The two teams had met at Schaefer Stadium in week four of the regular season and the Patriots had handed the Raiders their only loss, a 48-17 drubbing. The rematch in Oakland would not go as well and the team's hopes of winning it all were ended by a close and controversial loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions in the 1976 AFC Divisional playoff round.

"Gray had everything-the best footwork, the best balance, the greatest strength."[5]
Elvin Bethea

Despite the tough loss, the Patriots were seen by observers as one of the main Super Bowl contenders going into the 1977 NFL season.[6] Unfortunately for the team, trouble was looming. At the convincing of agent Howard Slusher,[7] Gray and Hannah walked out on the Patriots before the team's final preseason game in an effort to get their contracts renegotiated. The two were unsuccessful in getting new deals and returned before the week 4 regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks. In the meantime, the Patriots had gotten off to a 1-2 start that included losses to a Cleveland Browns team that finished 6-8 and a New York Jets team that finished 3-11. The team won eight of the eleven games that Gray and Hannah played and started in, but their 9-5 overall record was not enough to make it into the 1977 AFC playoff field. The team rebounded from the tragic injury suffered by wide receiver Darryl Stingley during a pre-season game against the Raiders to once again emerge as contenders during the 1978 NFL season. The emergence of second-year pro Stanley Morgan and the acquisition of All-Pro Harold Jackson to go along with Russ Francis made their passing attack more potent. Running the ball was still first priority for the team, however, and the Patriots finished that season with a team-total of 3,165 yards, an NFL record that stood for over 40 years. Gray was rewarded for his role in this by being named to the All-Pro First-teams' of the AP, Pro Football Weekly and the PFWA and was also selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the second time. Despite all this, controversy would once again derail the Patriots championship hopes. Late in the regular season, with the team 11-4 and the AFC East divisional winner, Chuck Fairbanks announced that he had decided to leave the Patriots after the conclusion of the 1978 season to become head coach at the University of Colorado. The news angered some players and particularly enraged owner Billy Sullivan.[8] Sullivan suspended Fairbanks for breach of contract and the team lost their regular season finale against the Dolphins, 23–3. Fairbanks was reinstated for the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Houston Oilers, but the damage was done and the Patriots were beaten by the Oilers 31-14 in the first postseason game played at Schaefer Stadium.

Shortly before the start of the 1979 NFL season, Gray was traded to the Oilers for first and sixth-round draft picks. Patriots management saw the deal as a money-saving move. Upon hearing the news, John Hannah said, "We just traded away our Super Bowl."[9] Ron Erhardt, who had replaced Chuck Fairbanks as the team's head coach, also admitted that he was against the trade. Gray's one-time opponent and now Oiler teammate, Elvin Bethea, would later say that the trade for Gray was one of the happiest days of his life.[10] He also stated that Gray was at least in the top three of offensive linemen that he had to face during his career. The Oilers had a strong 1979 campaign, finishing the regular season 11-5 and winning their first two postseason games. However, as with the previous season, they were denied a trip to the Super Bowl by their chief rival (and defending champion), the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the AFC Championship game. Gray was voted as the Seagram's Seven Crowns of Sports Offensive Lineman of the Year for 1979. The team again made the playoffs in 1980, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Raiders in the Wild card round. Gray continued to excel during his time with the team, being named 1st Team All-Pro in both 1979 and 1980. He was instrumental in helping Oilers' star running back Earl Campbell rush for NFL-leading totals of 1,679 yards in 1979 and 1,934 yards in 1980. He was selected as the AFC choice for the NFLPA/Coca-Cola Offensive Lineman of the Year Award for the 1980 season. After being named to the AFC Pro Bowl team for the fourth time at the end of the 1981 NFL season, Gray was traded from the Oilers to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for quarterback Archie Manning prior to the start of the 1982 NFL season. While with the Saints, Gray blocked for two-time Pro Bowl running back George Rogers. Gray played two seasons with the Saints before retiring from the NFL after the 1983 season. He is still considered arguably the best offensive tackle to play for the New England Patriots.[11] Gray was named to the Patriots All-1970s Team, but was notably absent from their 35th (1994) Anniversary Team.

Post-NFL activities

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Gray worked in construction in the Boston area after his retirement from football.

Death

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On November 11, 2001, Gray was found dead at age 49 in his modest apartment in the Roxbury section of Boston. He died of natural causes and was survived by a son, Leon Jr.[12]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Leon Gray

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Leon Gray was an American professional football offensive tackle known for his dominant play in the National Football League, particularly as a key member of the New England Patriots' offensive line during the 1970s. He formed one of the league's premier tackle-guard duos alongside Hall of Famer John Hannah, anchoring the left side and powering the 1978 Patriots' dominant rushing attack, which amassed 3,165 yards, an NFL single-season record at the time. Gray earned four Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors during his career, establishing himself as one of the era's elite linemen. Born on November 15, 1951, in Olive Branch, Mississippi, Gray played college football at Jackson State University before entering the NFL. Drafted in the third round by the Miami Dolphins in 1973, he was released before the season and joined the Patriots, where he quickly became a starter and spent six seasons helping the team achieve its first AFC East title in 1978 while providing exceptional protection and run blocking. After a trade, he continued his high-level performance with the Houston Oilers from 1979 to 1981 and finished his 11-year career with the New Orleans Saints in 1982 and 1983. Gray was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in 2019 in recognition of his impact on the franchise and his role in one of the most formidable offensive lines in NFL history. He died on November 11, 2001, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 49.

Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Leon Gray was born on November 15, 1951, in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Limited public information is available regarding his immediate family background or parents, with reliable sources focusing primarily on his vital statistics and professional trajectory rather than early familial details.

Youth and Education

Leon Gray attended East Side High School in Olive Branch, Mississippi. There, he distinguished himself as an honor student and served as president of the student council. Gray played football for the East Side High team. In addition to his athletic participation, he was proficient on the trumpet and performed in the school's marching band at halftime during football games, frequently hurrying from the field to join the band while still wearing his dirt-stained uniform and adding the plumed hat. These high school experiences in academics, leadership, athletics, and music contributed to his development and led to his recruitment for college football.

College Football Career

Jackson State University

Leon Gray attended Jackson State University on academic and music scholarships, where he played football as an offensive tackle for the Jackson State Tigers. He competed for the program from 1969 to 1972. In addition to his athletic contributions, Gray excelled in academics and music during his time there. Gray had a standout season at Jackson State, which positioned him for professional opportunities. He was subsequently selected in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft. This marked the conclusion of his collegiate career and transition to the professional level.

Professional Football Career

New England Patriots Era

Leon Gray joined the New England Patriots in 1973 after being drafted in the third round (78th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in the 1973 NFL Draft and subsequently claimed off waivers by New England. He established himself as the starting left tackle, appearing in 78 games over six seasons from 1973 to 1978. Gray formed one of the NFL's most dominant left-side offensive line tandems with Hall of Fame guard John Hannah, contributing to exceptional run blocking and pass protection that defined the team's ground game during the mid-1970s. The Patriots offensive line, anchored by Gray at left tackle, achieved notable success in rushing production. In 1976, the unit helped the team average 210.6 rushing yards per game over the 14-game season, setting a franchise record that remains unbroken. In 1978, during the league's first 16-game season, Gray and his linemates paved the way for an NFL single-season record of 3,165 rushing yards, a mark that still stands as the all-time high. The line also excelled in pass protection, allowing only 14 quarterback sacks in 1977. These efforts supported playoff appearances in 1976 and 1978. Gray received individual recognition during his Patriots tenure, earning Pro Bowl selections in 1976 and 1978 and a first-team All-Pro honor in 1978. His time with New England concluded when he was traded to the Houston Oilers in exchange for first- and sixth-round draft picks shortly before the 1979 season. Gray's contributions were later acknowledged with his election to the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2019 as a senior inductee.

Later NFL Years

Following his time with the New England Patriots, Leon Gray was traded to the Houston Oilers before the 1979 season, where he continued as a premier starting left tackle. He started all 46 games over three seasons from 1979 to 1981, earning Pro Bowl selections in 1979 and 1981 along with first-team All-Pro recognition in 1979 and 1980. Gray then moved to the New Orleans Saints for the final phase of his playing career, appearing in 18 games across 1982 and 1983 while serving primarily as a reserve offensive tackle and recording no starts. He played in seven games during the strike-shortened 1982 season and 11 games in 1983. Gray retired following the 1983 season, concluding his 11-year NFL tenure.

Career Achievements and Statistics

Leon Gray earned recognition as one of the premier offensive tackles of his era through multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. He was named to the Pro Bowl four times, in 1976, 1978, 1979, and 1981. Gray received first-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press in three consecutive years: 1978, 1979, and 1980. Over his 11-season NFL career, Gray appeared in 142 regular season games and started 123. He also started all five playoff games in which he participated. In recognition of his contributions, particularly during his tenure with the New England Patriots, Gray was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2019.

Television Appearances

The NFL on NBC

Leon Gray was credited as himself on The NFL on NBC from 1974 to 1981. The series represented NBC's national television broadcasts of NFL games, with rights focused on AFC regular-season and postseason matchups during much of that period. He appeared in 11 episodes, where he was listed in credits as Self - New England Patriots Tackle for earlier appearances and Self - Houston Oilers Tackle for later ones. These appearances aligned with his active playing career in the league.

Personal Life

Family and Post-Career Activities

After retiring from the NFL in 1983, Leon Gray earned a master's degree in health sciences from Boston University. He worked in the construction business in the Boston area for several years, primarily renovating private homes with partners. Gray also owned and operated a beer distributorship in Massachusetts, though the business was later dissolved. He spent several years working in Jamaica before returning to Boston in 1996, where he lived in a modest apartment in the Roxbury neighborhood. Earlier in his post-playing years, he resided in suburban Westwood, Massachusetts. Gray was married to Jacqueline Gray, and the couple had one son, Leon Gray Jr. They raised their son in a house in Westwood during the later years of Gray's playing career and immediately after his retirement. The marriage ended with separation in 1985 and divorce in 1989. Following an approximately 11-year period of estrangement, Gray reconnected with his son in the mid-1990s and developed a close relationship, providing guidance on discipline, spirituality, and respect for family. Leon Gray Jr. played college football as a linebacker at Temple University. In 2019, Leon Gray Jr. and other family members attended Gray's induction into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

Death

Leon Gray died on November 11, 2001, at the age of 49 in his apartment in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. He was found dead after friends had not heard from him for approximately a week. The New England Patriots announced his death on November 12, 2001, expressing sadness over his premature passing and honoring him as one of the franchise's greatest offensive linemen. Preliminary reports indicated natural causes.
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