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‹ The template Infobox gridiron football biography is being considered for merging. ›

Randall Jerome Gay Jr. (born May 5, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

Key Information

Gay also played for the New Orleans Saints. He played on a Super Bowl winning team with both the Patriots and the Saints, and is also noted for being one of the two Louisianan-born (other being former LSU and Saints teammate, Devery Henderson) having won a championship at both the college and pro level for teams of Louisiana, his home state.

Early life

[edit]

At Brusly High School in Brusly, Louisiana, Randall Gay was a four-year letterman in football. He also lettered in weight lifting (three years) and track (one year). He was a first-team All-Metro selection, and a first-team All-District selection in football during his last two years of high school. As a senior, in only eight games, he rushed for 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns, caught three touchdown passes, and returned two punts for touchdowns.

College career

[edit]

He played college football at Louisiana State University. He won a BCS National Championship with the Tigers in 2003 as a nickel back.

Professional career

[edit]

New England Patriots

[edit]

On April 29, 2004, he was signed by the Patriots shortly after the NFL draft as an undrafted free agent. His rookie year, Gay beat out cornerback Christian Morton, the Patriots' 7th-round draft pick, for a place on the roster. Later in the season, Gay was placed into the starting lineup because of injuries to veterans Ty Law and Tyrone Poole. Gay's rookie season concluded with a victory in Super Bowl XXXIX, in which he started opposite Asante Samuel where he was the leading tackler with 11 solo tackles. Gay was involved in several low level controversies as a Patriot: He failed to make a full contribution in 2005 and 2006, due to injuries that landed him on injured reserve. This led to some long running criticisms from the tough vocal New England fans and repeated questions about him on the region's talk shows and in the papers. Hence, after failing to deliver up to expectations of New England Patriots fans in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons, before the 2007 training camp, Gay was quoted as saying:[1]

You know how it is, It's like, 'Oh man, you're still getting a paycheck?' and 'Two years in a row!?!' That's the kind of stuff you really don't want to hear, because in your heart you want to be back out there. I can say this, I'm the most anxious person for training camp. I'm about the only one here that's ready for it to come.

Gay returned in 2007 and played primarily as a nickel back and a backup safety. He did start several games, including the AFC Divisional Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Gay intercepted a career-high three passes while playing in every game of the 2007 season en route to a perfect regular season that ended with the Patriots' defeat at the hands of the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

New Orleans Saints

[edit]

On March 2, 2008, Gay signed a four-year, $17.8 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. The deal included a $3.75 million signing bonus and $6.9 million in guaranteed money.[2] He was a member of the Saints' 2009 Super Bowl XLIV Championship team. Gay suffered a concussion early in the 2010 season that eventually led to him being placed on injured reserve on October 20, 2010.[3]

Gay was released by New Orleans on July 28, 2011, and retired thereafter.[4] In 2012, he was a named plaintiff in one of the lawsuits filed by former players against the NFL regarding the league's history of players suffering concussions.[5]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2004 NWE 15 9 34 29 5 0.0 1 2 23 0 13 6 0 2 41 1
2005 NWE 5 2 12 10 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2006 NWE 3 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 NWE 16 3 37 32 5 0.0 1 3 52 0 31 7 1 1 15 1
2008 NOR 14 13 53 49 4 1.0 3 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 0
2009 NOR 14 7 37 32 5 1.0 2 1 25 0 25 5 0 0 0 0
2010 NOR 4 0 5 3 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
71 34 180 157 23 2.0 7 6 100 0 31 34 1 3 56 2

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2004 NWE 3 3 7 5 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 NWE 3 1 8 7 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
2009 NOR 3 1 17 17 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
9 5 32 29 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0

Personal life

[edit]
  • Gay majored in marketing at LSU.
  • Gay played both cornerback and safety, as he did against the Indianapolis Colts in 2005.
  • After Super Bowl XXXIX, one of Gay's college professors attempted to order a replica jersey of her former student. The NFL Shop denied her request because the word "Gay" was on a blacklist of words considered related to drugs, sex, or gangs.[6] After the incident was reported in the press, "Gay" was removed from the banned name list because it is the actual name of an NFL player.[7]
  • Randall and his wife, Desha, have two sons.[8] After Gay's retirement, he and Desha decided to go to law school together. In 2015, they both graduated from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge.[9]

References

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

Randall Gay

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from Grokipedia
Randall Jerome Gay Jr. (born May 5, 1982) is a former cornerback who played professionally in the () for seven seasons from 2004 to 2010, primarily with the and . Undrafted out of (LSU), where he contributed to a BCS national championship team in 2003, Gay signed as a with the Patriots and quickly established himself as a starter, appearing in after his rookie year. Gay's career highlights include two Super Bowl victories: one with the Patriots in 2005 (Super Bowl XXXIX) and another with the Saints in 2010 (Super Bowl XLIV), where he provided depth in the secondary during New Orleans' championship run. Over his tenure, he recorded 157 solo tackles, 5 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble, with a career-high three interceptions in 2007 while playing every game for the Patriots. Injuries, including concussions that persisted post-retirement, limited his play in later years and contributed to his exit from the league after being placed on injured reserve in 2010. Following his NFL career, Gay pursued legal studies, earning a law degree and working as an assistant district attorney in Louisiana, though his post-football life included incidents such as a 2013 arrest for disorderly conduct at a bar and a 2023 suspension from his DA role after an altercation at a crime scene involving police. In 2012, he joined other former players in suing the NFL over concussion-related injuries, reflecting broader concerns about long-term health effects in professional football.

Early Life

Childhood and Education

Randall Jerome Gay Jr. was born on May 5, 1982, in . He grew up in the nearby community of Brusly, surrounded by family members and friends who were avid supporters of the . Gay has one brother, Terrence, and one sister, Erica. At Brusly High School in Brusly, , Gay excelled in athletics from 1996 to 1999, earning a reputation as a dominant player who frequently scored touchdowns and disrupted opponents on defense. He was a four-year letterman in football and also lettered in for three years and . His high school performance laid the foundation for his subsequent football career, highlighting his speed, , and competitive drive in a rural setting.

High School Football Career

Randall Gay attended Brusly High School in Brusly, , where he competed as a and lettered in football for four years under Brady Perry. He earned First Team All-District honors as a junior and senior, along with First Team All-Metro recognition in both seasons. During his senior year in 1999, Gay was limited to eight games due to a injury but still amassed 1,067 rushing yards and 13 rushing s. He also contributed offensively with three touchdown receptions and returned two punts for s, showcasing his versatility as a . In addition to football, Gay lettered three years in , two years in , and one year in , demonstrating broad athletic involvement at Brusly.

College Career

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Randall Gay did not play football for the (UL Lafayette), also known as the Ragin' . Extensive records of his collegiate career indicate enrollment and participation solely at (LSU) beginning in 2000 as a true , initially positioned as a before transitioning to . No verifiable evidence from official athletic biographies, statistical databases, or contemporary reports links Gay to UL Lafayette's football program, including tryouts, walk-on status, or academic enrollment prior to LSU. His high school recruitment from Brusly High School in Brusly, , led directly to LSU, where he lettered and accumulated 42 games played over four seasons (2000–2003).

Louisiana State University

Randall Gay enrolled at in 2000, where he began his career as a . As a true , he appeared in five games, recording two tackles. In his year of 2001, Gay played in 12 games with one start, accumulating 25 tackles (17 solo, 8 assisted), one tackle for loss, one sack, and two interceptions. His interceptions highlighted his growing coverage skills in the secondary. As a junior in 2002, Gay emerged as a key contributor, starting 12 of 13 games primarily at . He tallied 64 tackles (46 solo, 18 assisted), one tackle for loss, four quarterback hurries, and 11 pass breakups, demonstrating versatility and reliability in pass defense. Entering his senior season in 2003, Gay returned as the starter at right , bringing extensive experience to LSU's secondary, where he had played multiple roles including and nickel back over four years. He contributed to the Tigers' top-ranked defense, which helped secure an undefeated and a 13-1 overall record, culminating in a BCS victory over on January 4, 2004. Gay's tenure at LSU underscored his adaptability and big-play potential, leading to his signing as an undrafted free agent with the following the championship.

Professional Football Career

New England Patriots Tenure (2004–2007)

Randall Gay signed with the as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2004, following his college career at . In his rookie season, he emerged as a key contributor in the secondary, starting nine of 15 regular-season games and recording 34 total tackles (29 solo), two interceptions, six passes defended, and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a . During the , Gay started all three games, including , where he led the Patriots with 11 solo tackles in their 24–21 victory over the on February 6, 2005. Gay's 2005 season was limited by injuries, restricting him to five games with two starts and 12 total tackles (10 solo). The Patriots finished 10–6 and reached the , but Gay did not play in the postseason. The team re-signed him to a three-year on April 11, 2006. In 2006, a injury sidelined Gay after just three games, where he recorded two solo tackles, leading to his placement on injured reserve on September 27. Gay rebounded in 2007, playing all 16 regular-season games with three starts, amassing 37 total tackles (32 solo), three interceptions, seven passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. As part of the Patriots' undefeated 16–0 regular-season team, he appeared in all three playoff games, including Super Bowl XLII, recording eight total tackles (seven solo), two passes defended, and one forced fumble. The Patriots fell 17–14 to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl on February 3, 2008.

New Orleans Saints Tenure (2008–2010)

Gay signed a four-year contract with the on March 2, 2008, valued at up to $17.6 million with approximately $6.9 million guaranteed, including a $3.75 million . As a Louisiana native and former LSU player, he joined his hometown team to bolster the secondary, primarily serving as a nickel cornerback. In the 2008 season, Gay started 13 of 14 games, recording 53 combined tackles, one sack, and 15 passes defended. The Saints finished 8–8, missing the playoffs, with Gay contributing to a defense that ranked 20th in points allowed per game.
YearGames (G/GS)Tackles (Comb/Solo/Ast)SacksINT (Yds)PDFF/FR
200814/1353/49/41.00/0150/0
200914/737/32/51.01/2550/0
20104/05/3/20.00/000/0
During the 2009 regular season, Gay appeared in 14 games with seven starts, tallying 37 combined tackles, one sack, one for 25 yards, and five passes defended, while the Saints' defense improved to allow 20.2 points per game en route to a 13–3 record. In the playoffs, he played all three games, including one start, with 17 solo tackles and two forced fumbles, contributing to the Saints' victory over the on February 7, 2010. Gay's 2010 season ended prematurely after sustaining a , which sidelined him following four games with five combined tackles. The Saints placed him on injured reserve on October 20, 2010, due to lingering symptoms. He did not play further for the team after that season.

Retirement and Health Challenges

Concussion Injuries and Forced Retirement

During the with the , Gay suffered a early in the campaign, which led to his placement on injured reserve on October 20, 2010. This injury exacerbated symptoms from prior accumulated over his seven-year career, including persistent headaches and that rendered him unable to continue playing. Gay did not play at all in 2011 after the Saints released him following the league's labor lockout, and he formally retired at age 30, citing the ongoing neurological effects as the primary reason. He reported uncertainty about the exact number of concussions he had sustained but emphasized that the cumulative impact made returning to the field impossible, stating, "I can't play anymore... I'm still having symptoms from concussions." In interviews, Gay expressed concerns over long-term risks, including potential cognitive decline, which influenced his decision to prioritize avoidance of further trauma over any financial incentives to resume playing.

Involvement in NFL Concussion Litigation

In July 2012, former cornerback Randall Gay joined 17 other ex- players in filing a federal lawsuit against the in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The complaint alleged that the NFL concealed evidence of the long-term neurological risks associated with repeated head trauma, including , and failed to implement adequate safety measures or warnings for players despite internal knowledge of such dangers dating back decades. Gay's participation stemmed from his own history of multiple sustained during his , which contributed to his retirement in 2011 at age 29 after experiencing symptoms such as headaches and cognitive difficulties. The suit was part of the expanding multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2323) consolidating thousands of similar claims against the for concussion-related injuries. Filed on July 18, 2012, the case sought compensatory and for players' alleged injuries, including (CTE) and related impairments. It was anticipated to be transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of , where the MDL was centralized under Judge Anita B. Brody. Gay's case merged into the broader class-action settlement approved in , under which the agreed to pay approximately $1 billion over 65 years to resolve claims from nearly 5,000 former players and their families for concussion-related medical monitoring, treatment, and compensation. Individual payouts varied based on diagnosed conditions and severity, with awards ranging from $50,000 for mild impairment to millions for severe cases like ; specific details on Gay's receipt or amount remain undisclosed in . The settlement did not admit liability by the but established a claims process administered by independent experts to evaluate eligibility. Subsequent opt-outs and additional filings, including some from former teammates, highlighted ongoing disputes over adequacy of funds and coverage for emerging symptoms.

Post-Football Pursuits

After retiring from professional football, Gay pursued a alongside his wife, Desha, enrolling at in , in 2012. He had prepared for this shift by taking the (LSAT) during his final NFL season, demonstrating early intent to transition from athletics to law. Gay described the academic demands of law school as more intellectually rigorous than the physical intensity of NFL play, likening it to a "rookie year" that required adapting to sustained mental endurance without the adrenaline of game-day performance. Both he and Desha completed their degrees together, graduating on May 16, 2015. This joint pursuit marked Gay's deliberate pivot to a professional field emphasizing analytical skills and , contrasting the short-term physical career of football with the potential for long-term intellectual engagement in . Following his graduation from on May 16, 2015, Gay was admitted to the State Bar Association and established the Law Office of Randall Gay Jr. in Brusly, , focusing on civil litigation and other legal matters. He subsequently joined the office of the for the 18th Judicial District Court (JDC), serving as an assistant district attorney under Tony Clayton, where he handled prosecutorial duties in West Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Pointe Coupee parishes. On May 3, 2023, Clayton suspended Gay without pay after he arrived uninvited at a residence in Port Allen responding to a domestic disturbance call, where deputies from the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office were already present, and engaged in a verbal altercation with officers. Sources indicated Gay's involvement stemmed from concern over his son's connection to the incident, though specifics of the son's role were not publicly detailed. The suspension took effect immediately, with a disciplinary review hearing set for June 15, 2023; no public record of the hearing's outcome or Gay's subsequent status in the office has been reported. This event marked a significant professional setback, as it disrupted his prosecutorial role amid questions about boundaries between personal involvement and official duties.

Career Statistics

Regular Season Performance

Randall Gay participated in 71 regular-season games across his career from 2004 to 2010, starting 34 of them, with 180 combined tackles (157 solo, 23 assisted), 2 sacks, 6 interceptions totaling 100 return yards, 34 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries. His regular-season performance peaked in volume during his 2008 season with the Saints, when he started 13 of 14 games and led his career with 15 passes defensed and 1 sack, though interceptions were limited overall after his year. Injuries restricted his play in multiple seasons, including just 5 games in 2005 and 3 in 2006 with the Patriots, and 4 in 2010 with the Saints.
YearTeamGGSCombSoloAstSkIntPDFFFR
2004NWE159342950.02602
2005NWE52121020.00100
2006NWE302200.00000
2007NWE163373250.03711
2008NO1413534941.001500
2009NO147373251.01500
2010NO405320.00000
Key: G = Games Played, GS = Games Started, Comb = Combined Tackles, Sk = Sacks, Int = Interceptions, PD = Passes Defensed, FF = Forced Fumbles, FR = Fumble Recoveries.

Playoff Contributions

Randall Gay appeared in nine playoff games across his tenure with the and , starting five, while accumulating 32 tackles (29 solo), two passes defended, and three forced fumbles, with no interceptions or sacks. His postseason efforts contributed to two victories, though his role varied from starter to rotational player. During the 2004 playoffs with the Patriots, Gay started all three games en route to , recording seven tackles overall. In the victory over the on February 6, 2005, he led the team in tackles with 11 solo stops as a opposite , helping secure a 24–21 win and New England's third championship in four years. Gay returned to the postseason in 2007 with the Patriots, who entered as the 16–0 regular-season champions, appearing in three games with one start and tallying eight tackles, two passes defended, and one forced fumble. His contributions included defensive support in the divisional round win over the and the AFC Championship victory against the , but the team fell 17–14 to the in . With the Saints in the 2009 playoffs, Gay played all three games toward , starting one and posting 17 tackles along with two forced fumbles. These efforts aided the Saints' defensive stands in the divisional round triumph over the , the NFC Championship win against the Minnesota Vikings, and the 31–17 victory over the on February 7, 2010, marking New Orleans' first championship.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Randall Gay is married to Desha Gay. The couple has two sons, including Randall Gay III, born circa 2004. Following Gay's retirement from the , he and Desha enrolled in law school together, graduating in 2015. No public records indicate or separation as of the latest available reports. In May 2013, Gay was arrested in , following an altercation at a bar where he allegedly pushed two employees and refused to leave the premises despite being asked to do so. He was booked on charges including entering or remaining on premises after being forbidden, two counts of simple battery, resisting an officer, and disturbing the peace. On May 3, 2023, Gay, then serving as an assistant for the 18th Judicial District in , was placed on unpaid suspension after arriving uninvited at a involving his son's for drug possession and illegal firearm carrying. Tony Clayton suspended him pending an internal investigation, citing Gay's interference by questioning deputies and expressing agitation over the . No criminal charges were filed in connection with this incident.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GayxRa20.htm
  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/5887/randall-gay
  3. https://lsusports.net/sports/fb/roster/player/randall-gay/
  4. https://saintslegendscruise.com/legend/randall-gay/
  5. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5887/randall-gay
  6. https://www.nfl.com/news/randall-gay-among-latest-ex-players-to-sue-nfl-09000d5d82aafb20
  7. https://www.fox8live.com/story/22207097/former-saint-lsu-star-randall-gay-arrested/
  8. https://973thedawg.com/former-new-orleans-saint-turned-attorney-randall-gay-suspended-from-law-job-following-argument-with-police/
  9. https://www.houmatoday.com/story/news/2010/01/30/louisiana-born-saints-players-living-out-their-childhood-dreams/26905819007/
  10. https://www.wafb.com/story/36756824/randall-gay-career-highlights-at-brusly-1996-1999/
  11. https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/Randall_Gay
  12. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/randall-gay-1.html
  13. https://lsusports.net/news/2003/10/30/164340/
  14. https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-re-sign-db-randall-gay-152156
  15. https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-re-sign-cb-hank-poteat-place-cb-randall-gay-on-reserve-injured-l-152906
  16. https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-agree-to-terms-with-randall-gay-1084919
  17. https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/news/story?id=3273625
  18. https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/defensive-back-relives-sickening-super-bowl-experience-2535012
  19. https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-safety-sharper-hopeful-he-can-play-gay-placed-on-ir-09000d5d81b7b43f
  20. https://www.nfl.com/news/randall-gay-retired-from-nfl-because-of-concussions-09000d5d82968e90
  21. https://www.bostonherald.com/2012/05/29/randall-gay-eliminates-any-risk/
  22. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/at-age-30-randall-gay-lives-with-concussion-symptoms-in-retirement
  23. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/ex-nfler-gay-worried-over-concussions
  24. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/randall-gay-among-the-latest-concussion-plaintiffs
  25. https://www.wapt.com/article/ex-saints-cb-randall-gay-sues-nfl/2079921
  26. https://www.houmatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/07/21/gay-shifts-attention-to-retired-life/27023141007/
  27. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4369937/mdl-2323-in-re-national-football-league-players-concussion-injury/?entry_gte=2716&page=5
  28. https://nypost.com/2018/03/11/brain-injuries-haunt-patriots-players-from-3-super-bowl-teams-suit/
  29. https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/former_super_bowl_champ_describes_the_rigors_of_his_rookie_year_of_law_scho
  30. https://www.businessinsider.com/randall-gay-talking-about-law-school-2012-11
  31. https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/education/former-lsu-saints-player-randall-gay-among-the-graduates-from-southern-law-center/article_a0fd3e16-fdf2-5ed0-8757-5ab2b60b34f8.html
  32. https://www.houmatoday.com/story/opinion/columns/2016/07/17/blue-nfl-player-turned-lawyer/27164865007/
  33. https://lawyers.findlaw.com/profile/view/5028237_1
  34. https://www.wbrz.com/news/nakamoto-randall-gay-former-nfl-player-suspended-from-law-job-after-argument-at-crime-scene/
  35. https://www.thewestsidejournal.com/news/former-super-bowl-champion-turned-prosecutor-placed-on-unpaid-suspension/article_6b03d128-eac2-11ed-8054-af2e6cc946ef.html
  36. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GayxRa20/gamelog/post/
  37. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-tackles-a-rookie-in-the-super-bowl
  38. https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/where-are-they-now-new-orleans-saints-2009-super-bowl-xliv-anniversary
  39. https://unfilteredwithkiran.com/former-nfl-player-turned-ada-placed-on-unpaid-suspension/
  40. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/former-patriots-saints-cb-randall-gay-arrested
  41. https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/05/09/20130509-former-patriot-randall-gay-arrested-in-louisiana-ece/35419990007/
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