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Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray
Ricky Ray
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Ricky Ray (born October 22, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts. He also briefly spent time in the af2, as well as with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Ray is the all-time leader in passing yardage, pass completions, and passing touchdowns for both the Edmonton Elks and Toronto Argonauts. He won the Grey Cup championship a record four times as a starting quarterback, in 2003, 2005, 2012, and 2017. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

Key Information

College career

[edit]

In 1997, Ray made his debut for Shasta College, a two-year community college in Redding, California. He became a first-team All-American and state player of the year in 1998. He also set several school records during his time at Shasta, most notably throwing 199 consecutive pass attempts without allowing an interception.[1] On December 20, 2014, Ricky was inducted into the Shasta County Sports Hall Of Fame.[2][3]

Ray moved on to play NCAA college football with Sacramento State University. In 1999, Ray completed 179 of 291 passes for 2,422 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 2000, he completed 168 of 270 passes (62.2%) for 13 touchdowns with 6 interceptions. Ray is still in the top ten for many Sacramento State career passing records.

College statistics

[edit]
Season Passing Rushing
Cmp Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD
Shasta Knights
1997 162 281 1,873 17 11 38 -78 2
1998 189 307 2,759 28 7 72 116 7
CCCAA career 351 588 4,632 45 18 110 38 9
Sacramento State Hornets
1999 179 291 2,422 20 8 51 58 5
2000 168 270 2,200 13 6 100 189 10
NCAA career 347 561 4,622 33 14 151 247 15

Professional career

[edit]

San Francisco 49ers

[edit]

After his college career ended in 2000, Ray, having gone undrafted by the NFL, attended training camp with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, but did not make the team and only dressed for a single pre-season game. He earned the nickname "Frito Ray" by teammates, as he was working as a delivery driver for Frito-Lay chips when he was called up for training camp.

Fresno Frenzy

[edit]

Ray made his professional debut with the Fresno Frenzy of the Arena Football League's developmental league af2. He played seven games for the Frenzy, where he was coached by former CFL quarterback Rick Worman. He completed 116 passes for 1,296 yards, 25 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.[4] Worman was instrumental in arranging a tryout with the Eskimos.[5]

Edmonton Eskimos (first stint)

[edit]

In 2002, Ray made the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos out of training camp. The Eskimos entered the season as a competitive West Division team and featured notable depth at the quarterback position. Starter Jason Maas had already established himself as a leading quarterback in the league. Ray started the season as the Eskimos' third-string quarterback.

Late in the fourth quarter of a Week Four game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Maas was knocked out of the game, and would not be available for the Week Five matchup against the rival BC Lions. Ray made his debut relieving Maas in the Saskatchewan game and his first start against the Lions, throwing for four touchdowns. Ray threw for 2,991 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions with a quarterback rating of 101.3, highest in the league.

With Maas still recovering from injury, Ray led the Eskimos to the Grey Cup game against Montréal. Ray threw for 324 yards, but the Eskimos lost the 90th Grey Cup to the Alouettes 26–16 at home. Ray failed to convert on a vital two-point conversion late in the game that could have tied the affair at 18–18. The failure forced the Eskimos into an onside kick attempt, which failed as Montréal returned it for a touchdown and took a lead that they would not lose. During the year, Ray was named Offensive Player of the Week and Month, but was not eligible for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award following a brief stint in the NFL.

Maas returned for the 2003 season, setting up a quarterback duel between Maas and Ray during training camp. However, Maas sustained a back injury during the off-season, a condition that would require surgery. Ray remained the starter even after Maas returned.

Despite splitting time early in the year, Ray ended with a 67.6 completion percentage, 4,640 yards, 35 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and was a candidate for the Most Outstanding Player award. The Eskimos rebounded from their slow start and made the playoffs, defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Western final as Ray threw for 356 yards. The 91st Grey Cup in Regina, Saskatchewan featured the Eskimos against the Alouettes. The Eskimos defeated the Alouettes 34–22, for the team's first Grey Cup in a decade. Ray played exceptionally against Alouettes coach Don Matthews's renowned blitzing defense, completing 22 of 32 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

New York Jets

[edit]

After two years in Canada, Ray began to look south of the border. Former Eskimo Warren Moon, a legend in the NFL and CFL, advised Ray to stay in the CFL a little while longer to improve as a quarterback and receive a better shot at a starting job. But the lure of the league he had dreamed of in his youth proved too strong to keep Ray in Canada, and he signed with the New York Jets.

In the 2004 NFL season, Ray dressed for six games with the Jets. When starter Chad Pennington went down briefly with a rotator cuff injury, backup Quincy Carter came in and played well, relegating Ray to the bench. After the season concluded, Ray asked for his release by the Jets.[6] Ray subsequently returned to the Eskimos.

Edmonton Eskimos (second stint)

[edit]

Ray's return was accompanied by controversy. He became the favourite to take the starting job in Edmonton, but, once again, the team was deep at quarterback in 2005. In addition to Ray, Maas remained in Edmonton. While Ray had been in the NFL, Maas had been the starter and had played superbly, becoming only the second Eskimo to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season.

Ray received the starting job out of training camp in 2005. Maas, despite frequent trade rumours, was once again made his backup. Jason Johnson remained on the roster as the third quarterback. Ray started the 2005 season strongly, leading the league in completions and yardage. He set a pro football record with 479 completions in 2005. However, towards the end of the year, Ray's play faltered, concluding in him not throwing a touchdown in the season's last four games.

In the playoffs, Ray was benched twice more, both in the West Semi-Final against Calgary and the West Final against British Columbia, and both times Maas came on the field, threw very well, and recorded the winning points. Head coach Danny Maciocia, however, promised Ray the start in the 93rd Grey Cup, perhaps because of rumours that a trade of Maas to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats had already been arranged. This time, however, Ray seized the opportunity presented to him, throwing for 359 yards and two touchdowns while completing 35 of 45 passes. The Eskimos defeated the Montreal Alouettes 38–35 in overtime, and Ray was named most valuable player of the Grey Cup.

In 2006, Ray started for the Eskimos for every single game of the season, led the league in passing with exactly 5,000 yards, and was near the top in completion percentage at 65.7%, 21 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 89.8.

Ray (15) dropping back to pass against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2007.

On September 14, 2007, in a win against the Montreal Alouettes, Ray surpassed CFL and NFL hall-of-famer Warren Moon to capture the Eskimos' all-time record for career passing yards.[7] On September 28, 2007, he suffered a separated shoulder at the hands of Toronto Argonauts safety Willie Pile, ending his season.[8] Without Ray, the Eskimos lost their remaining five games and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

In 2008, Ray completed 422 of 608 pass attempts (69.8% completion) for a league-leading, career-best, and single-season Eskimo record 5,661 yards. Ray threw for 26 touchdowns and 17 interceptions for a 101.8 quarterback rating. Ray also scrambled for 258 yards and 5 touchdowns. One of his best games of the season came in the final week of the season vs. the Alouettes when Ray broke the record for highest completion percentage in a single game (with a minimum of 20 passing attempts) when he went 23 of 25 for 92.0% for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns in only 3 quarters of play. He led the Esks to a win in the crossover playoff game in Winnipeg, but the team lost in the East finals to Montreal. The 2008 Eskimos were the first team to ever win a crossover game.

In 2009, Ray completed 401 of 596 pass attempts (67.3% completion) for a league leading 4,916 yards, 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for a 96.4 quarterback rating. Ray scrambled for 206 yards and 6 touchdowns. In a game versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ray completed 20 consecutive passes before receiver Jamaica Rector dropped a pass, ending the streak. This remarkable performance left Ray 2nd all time behind teammate Jason Maas (who completed 22 straight passes on July 30, 2004), in the CFL record books for most consecutive pass completions in a single game.

In 2010, Ray completed 288 of 447 pass attempts (64.4% completion) for 3,565 yards, 11 touchdowns and 16 interceptions for an 82.3 quarterback rating. Additionally, Ray scrambled for 302 yards and three touchdowns. In Game 15, Ray had a career rushing performance, compiling 135 yards on 12 rushes and a touchdown. He started 16 of the 18 games. Statistically, it was the worst year of his career.

In 2011, Ray completed 343 of 526 pass attempts (65.2% completion) for 4,954 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a 99.3 quarterback rating. Additionally, Ray scrambled for 258 yards and 1 touchdown. Ricky Ray had a bounce back season after struggling in 2010. His solid play earned him Offensive Player of the month for the month of September. Ray lead the Eskimos to a record of 11–7, qualifying for the Playoffs.

Toronto Argonauts

[edit]

Ray was traded to the Toronto Argonauts on December 12, 2011, for quarterback Steven Jyles, placekicker Grant Shaw, and a 2012 first round draft pick.[9] Ray went on to win the 100th Grey Cup as the Argonauts' starting quarterback. On May 31, 2013, the Argos extended Ray's contract through the 2015 CFL season.[10]

In 2012, Ray completed 321 of 468 pass attempts (68.6% completion) for 4,059 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for a 99.8 quarterback rating. Rays 68.59% completion rate was a new team record breaking the previous mark of 67.25% set by Kerwin Bell in 1998.[11] Ray injured his knee in the third quarter of a Week 4 win against the Blue Bombers. He missed the Week 5 game and then returned to the starting lineup in Week 7, following a bye in Week 6.[12] Ray was averaging over 300 yards passing per game compiling a total of 3,341 yards in his first 11 games before suffering a knee injury in the 1st quarter of a game against Montreal.[13] Ray would return for the final two games of the season completing 20 of 33 passes for 383 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions vs Winnipeg and 24 of 30 passes for 305 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interceptions against Saskatchewan, earning offensive player of the week honors[14] for the latter performance and helping the Argos clinch a playoff spot.

In the 2012 East division semi-final Ray completed 23 of 30 passes for 239 yards, 2 touchdowns no interceptions and a rushing touchdown as they defeated Edmonton 42–26. In the process Ray helped the team set a new CFL playoff record for the most points in a single quarter with 31.[15] In the East division final, Ray completed 28 of 37 passes for 399 yards 1 touchdowns and no interceptions as the team beat Montreal on the road 27–20 in advancing to the finals.[16] The Argos would ultimately emerge victorious in the 100th Grey Cup held at home, beating Calgary 35–22. Ray would finish the game 18 for 30 for 231 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.[17]

In the 2013, Ray had a phenomenal year setting multiple CFL, pro football and team records, despite suffering a shoulder injury in the first quarter of a game against Calgary in Week 7 which forced him to sit out six games.[18] Ray would return before the end of the season helping the Argos clinch first in the east before sitting out the final game of the season.[19]

Ray completed 234 of 303 for 2,878 yards in 10 games and had a 77.23% completion percentage which broke the previous CFL and pro football single season record of 73.98% set by Dave Dickenson in 2005[20] and his own Argo record of 68.59% set last year. Ray finished with 21 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions, resulting in a 10.5 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio, breaking the single season CFL record of 6 to 1 set by Dave Dickenson in 2000. Ray also set the CFL record for lowest percentage of passes intercepted in a single season with a 0.66% breaking the previous CFL record of 1.09% set by Anthony Calvillo in 2009. Ray had a streak of 222 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception to begin the year, going back to the previous year the streak was 247 pass attempts,[21] before throwing his first interception on his last pass of a game in Week 16 against Hamilton. This figure is possibly a CFL record as the Argo team itself set a league record for most consecutive passes without an interception by a team.[22] Ray finished the year with a record passer efficiency rating of 126.37, surpassing the previous pro football record of 122.46 set by Aaron Rodgers in 2011 and the CFL record of 118.77 set by Dave Dickenson in 2005.[23] On July 19, 2013, Ray completed 19 of 20 passes against Winnipeg setting a new single game CFL and pro football completion percentage record of 95.0%, beating the previous record of 94.74% set by Alex Smith in 2012, his own CFL record of 92.0% set in 2008 and the Argos team record of 87.1% set by Condredge Holloway in 1985.[24] In the same game, he tied the Argo record for most consecutive pass completions held by Mike Rae with 17.[25] Only to surpass that mark in his final game of the season against Winnipeg. Ray set a new team record with 21 consecutive pass completions, the second longest such streak in CFL history, falling one shy of the record of 22 held by Jason Maas.[26] In the same game Ray also set a new personal high for passing yards with 505.[27] It was the first time in his career that he had passed for over 500 yards and the third highest single game total in Argos history.[28] Ray did however break a 53-year-old Argo record for most completions in a single game with 39 besting the previous record of 38 set by Tobin Rote in 1960.[29] It was also the 9th time in his career and 2nd time in the year that he had passed for over 400 yards in a game. In addition to the numerous records Ray set, he was named offensive player of the month for September[30] and also named offensive player of week three times. In the first game of the season against Hamilton, Ray complete 24 of 34 passes for 368 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions, earning him offensive player of the week honors.[31] Ray would earn his second offensive player of the week honors after completed 30 of 35 passes for 413 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions against Edmonton in game 6.[32] And lastly for his aforementioned performance against Winnipeg, where he completed 39 of 45 passes for 505 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.[33]

In spite of the personal spectacular regular season, Ricky Ray leading the Argonauts to a first-place finish in the East would be ruined by Henry Burris and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeating Ray and the Argonauts 36–24 in the 2013 East Division final held at the Rogers Centre, Toronto.

Ray before a home game against the BC Lions in 2017.

Ricky Ray played in all but one of the 18 regular season games during the 2014 CFL season, however the Argos were unable to qualify for the postseason, finishing with a record of 8–10. Ray had one of his highest volume seasons as a passing quarterback in his career during the 2014 campaign. His 425 pass completions was the second highest of his career, trailing only his 2003 season with the Eskimos when he completed 479 passes. Ray attempted 620 passes over the course of the season, which was the 4th most attempts in his career, and the most since 2008. He racked up a league-leading 4,595 passing yards, his most yards in a season since 2009.

In November 2014, following the conclusion of the Argos season, Ray had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder and a small tear in his right rotator cuff. The recovery time for the surgery was estimated to be around six months, which would allow Ray to return action in time for CFL training camp in the spring of 2015.[34] However, Ray's recovery went slower than expected: As a result, the Argos placed Ray on the six-game injured list during the preseason.[35] Ray missed the first 16 games of the 2015 CFL season, making his first start of the season in Week 19 against the BC Lions. At the time of his return, the Argos were 8–8, having clinched a playoff berth, they were fighting for a home playoff game (which they lost when they were defeated by the Lions).[36] Ray played in the final regular season game and also the Eastern Semi-Final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In the playoff game Ray completed 22 of 34 pass attempts for 220 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception; however Justin Medlock kicked a 47-yard field goal with no time on the clock to eliminate the Argos, thus ending their season.[37] On December 3, 2015, Ray and the Argos agreed on a contract extension; preventing him from becoming a free-agent in February 2015.[38] Entering the 2016 season Ray was finally 100% healed from his shoulder injury which had plagued him since November 2014. Ray started the first five games of the season before sustaining a knee injury as defensive lineman Vaughn Martin rolled up into him in the third quarter. Following the game Ricky Ray was diagnosed with a sprained MCL, and was expected to miss between three and six weeks.[39] Ray missed three games over the following five weeks before returning to play in the Labour Day weekend games against the BC Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Following their Labour Day game against the Tiger-Cats, reports surfaced suggesting Ray would miss the remainder of the 2016 CFL season with a punctured lung.[40] The following day, it was announced that Ray would miss between four and six weeks with a partially deflated lung. This was Ray's second significant injury in 2016 and he has only played one full season since 2011.[41] After missing six weeks recovering from a partially deflated lung Ray returned to the starting lineup in Week 18 of the regular season. However, he was unable to best the league-leading Stampeders and as a result the Argos were eliminated from playoff contention, falling to a record of 5–12.[42]

On February 28, 2017, at his introductory press conference, newly appointed head coach Marc Trestman declared Ray the Argos starting quarterback for the 2017 season: Despite Ray having only started 12 games over the previous two seasons.[43] In the opening game of the season, Ray threw for a career-high 506 yards in a 32–15 win over the rival Tiger-Cats.[44] On July 29, 2017, Ray surpassed Condredge Holloway to become the franchise leader in passing yards. Holloway threw for 16,616 yards between 1981 and 1986.[45] On August 19, 2017, Ray became the Argonauts' all-time passing touchdown leader with his 99th touchdown pass, surpassing Holloway's 98.[46] In that same game, he threw for his 100th touchdown pass as an Argonaut, becoming the first player in CFL history to throw at least 100 touchdown passes for two franchises. On October 21, 2017, Ray reached the 60,000 career passing-yard mark, becoming just the fourth player in CFL history to accomplish the milestone.[47] In that same game, he also hit 5,000 passing yards for the season, joining Doug Flutie and Anthony Calvillo as the only players to pass for 5,000 yards at least four times in their careers. That game also marked the 12th time he eclipsed the 300-yard mark that season, which is an Argonauts record.[48] The Argonauts finished the season 1st in the East with a 9–9 record, the only .500 team in the division. For his performance, Ray finished as runner-up to Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award. He would go on and win his fourth Grey Cup against the Calgary Stampeders in the 105th Grey Cup game. His four Grey Cups wins are most in CFL history for a starting quarterback.[49] One day after the Argos Grey Cup parade, Ray conveyed to reporters that he was "seriously considering retirement". Ray, 38 years of age, who was a pending free agent for the 2018 season, said there was no timetable for a decision.[50] On February 2, 2018, Ray and the Argos agreed to a one-year contract extension.[51]

In 2018, Ray was carted off the field in the second half of the Argos Week 2 loss to the Calgary Stampeders after being awkwardly tackled between a pair of Stampeder defensive linemen.[52] Ray was hospitalized, and the following day the team confirmed that Ray did indeed have feeling in all of his extremities.[53] Given his age (38), and the severity of the injury, Ray's future as a quarterback was placed in doubt.[54] Only a couple days later team doctors advised Ray to not play again in 2018.[55] On September 24, 2018, Head Coach Marc Trestman confirmed that Ray would not return to the Argos for the 2018 season.[56] In early November 2018 Ray was still considering his options, leaving the door open for a possible return in 2019.[57] By early March Ray had not informed the Argos of his intentions for the 2019 season, and still needed to be cleared by doctors before returning to the field. General manager Jim Popp hinted that if Ray were to return to the Argos it would be as a backup quarterback, possibly transitioning to a coaching role in the future.[58] On May 8, 2019, Ray held a press conference to officially announce his retirement.[59]

Ray was announced as a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame 2022 class on June 21, 2022.[60]

CFL statistics

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
  Passing   Rushing
Year Team Games Started Comp Att Pct Yards TD Int Rating Att Yards Avg Long TD Fumb
2002 EDM 18 14 227 359 63.2 2,991 24 9 101.3 44 232 5.3 32 1 9
2003 EDM 18 18 348 515 67.6 4,640 35 13 108.1 62 352 5.7 35 2 9
2005 EDM 18 18 479 715 67.0 5,510 25 24 87.7 83 353 4.3 26 9 13
2006 EDM 18 18 406 618 65.7 5,000 21 18 89.8 92 469 5.1 27 9 6
2007 EDM 13 13 311 445 69.9 3,652 22 10 101.6 41 232 5.7 26 0 8
2008 EDM 18 18 422 605 69.8 5,661 26 17 101.8 75 258 3.4 15 5 13
2009 EDM 18 18 401 596 67.3 4,916 22 12 96.4 47 206 4.4 27 6 3
2010 EDM 17 16 288 447 64.4 3,565 11 16 82.3 37 302 8.2 45 3 9
2011 EDM 18 18 343 526 65.2 4,594 24 11 99.3 41 258 6.3 27 1 13
2012 TOR 14 14 321 468 68.6 4,069 20 11 99.8 17 84 4.9 12 0 7
2013 TOR 11 10 234 303 77.2 2,878 21 2 126.4 11 61 5.5 18 2 3
2014 TOR 17 17 425 620 68.5 4,595 28 15 95.1 41 216 5.3 15 1 5
2015 TOR 3 2 47 65 72.3 423 2 1 93.3 2 5 2.5 4 0 1
2016 TOR 9 9 228 298 74.5 2,397 15 6 110.4 13 53 4.1 19 0 1
2017 TOR 17 17 474 668 71.0 5,546 28 11 102.9 8 52 6.5 10 0 7
2018 TOR 2 2 34 54 62.9 307 0 1 70.5 1 8 8 8 0 0
CFL totals 234 219 4,976 7,301 68.16 60,736 324 177 98.23 614 3,141 5.1 45 39 107

Playoffs

[edit]
Year & game Team GP GS ATT COMP YD TD INT RUSH YD TD
2002 West Final EDM 1 1 34 19 269 1 1 5 24 0
2003 West Final EDM 1 1 32 23 358 1 0 7 49 1
2005 West Semi-Final EDM 1 1 21 12 99 0 0 2 12 0
2005 West Final EDM 1 1 28 17 207 0 1 8 17 2
2008 *East Semi-Final EDM 1 1 37 27 303 0 0 4 25 0
2008 *East Final EDM 1 1 49 26 339 1 0 0 - -
2009 West Semi-Final EDM 1 1 30 18 162 0 0 4 17 1
2011 West Semi-Final EDM 1 1 27 19 245 1 0 3 31 0
2011 West Final EDM 1 1 40 21 297 2 2 3 36 0
2012 East Semi-Final TOR 1 1 30 23 239 2 2 3 16 1
2012 East Final TOR 1 1 37 28 399 1 1 1 3 0
2013 East Final TOR 1 1 32 22 329 2 0 1 6 0
2015 East Semi-Final TOR 1 1 34 22 220 1 1 3 15 0
2017 East Final TOR 1 1 39 28 266 1 1 0 - -
Totals 14 14 470 303 3,732 13 9 44 251 5

*team qualified for crossover

Grey Cup

[edit]
Year Team GP GS ATT COMP YD TD INT RUSH YD TD
2002 EDM 1 1 46 24 324 2 1 7 25 0
2003 EDM 1 1 32 22 301 2 0 7 13 1
2005 EDM 1 1 45 35 359 2 0 4 18 1
2012 TOR 1 1 30 18 231 2 1 0 - -
2017 TOR 1 1 32 19 297 1 0 0 - -
Totals 5 5 185 118 1,512 9 2 18 56 2

See also

[edit]

References

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

Ricky Ray

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ricky Ray (born October 22, 1979) is an American former professional football who played 16 seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL), amassing 60,736 passing yards, 324 touchdowns, and a league-record four victories as a starting with the Eskimos (now Elks) and . Born in , and raised in nearby Redding, Ray attended Shasta High School, where he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball, helping the latter team reach the 1997 California state championship game despite a broken leg that sidelined him from football his junior year. Undrafted after a college career at Sacramento State University, Ray signed as a with the Eskimos in 2002 after brief stints in the and , quickly emerging as a starter and leading the team to wins in 2003 and 2005, the latter earning him Grey Cup MVP honors for his record-setting 35-of-45 performance. Over nine seasons with (2002–2003 and 2005–2011), including a brief stint in 2004, he set franchise passing records with 40,531 yards and 210 touchdowns, leading the CFL in passing yards three times (2006, 2008, 2009). Traded to the in 2012 amid controversy, Ray revitalized the team, surpassing Doug Flutie's franchise passing yardage record and guiding them to triumphs in 2012 and 2017, where he threw for 5,546 yards and earned CFL Most Outstanding Player honors in his final season. A three-time CFL (2006, 2013, 2014) and four-time division , Ray retired in 2019 with the second-highest career completion percentage in CFL history (68.2%) and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2022 as part of its distinguished class. His career, marked by resilience through multiple injuries and trades, cemented his legacy as one of the league's most accurate and clutch performers.

Early life and college career

Early life and high school

Ricky Ray was born on October 22, 1979, in Happy Camp, a small rural logging community in near the border. His family relocated to , where he spent much of his childhood and attended local schools. Ray attended Shasta High School in Redding, participating in football, basketball, and baseball during his high school years. In football, he was not regarded as a highly touted prospect and faced setbacks, including a broken leg sustained in his sophomore year that forced him to miss the entire junior season. Despite these challenges, Ray showed versatility across sports; in basketball, he contributed to the Shasta High Wolves' run to the 1997 California state championship game. His multi-sport involvement at Shasta High laid the foundation for his athletic development, though his football path initially lacked significant recognition.

College career

Ray began his college football career at Shasta College, a in , where he played for two seasons from 1997 to 1998. During this time, he participated in two bowl games and completed passes at a 60.0 percent rate, performing well enough to attract attention from four-year programs. In 1998, he earned first-team All-American honors and was named the California Junior College state player of the year, while setting several school records. One memorable game saw Shasta score 73 points in a 73-71 victory, highlighting the high-scoring nature of his junior college experience. After Shasta, Ray transferred to Sacramento State University, joining the Hornets of the for the 1999 and 2000 seasons. As a redshirt sophomore in 1999, he started as the primary , completing 179 of 291 passes for 2,422 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, while contributing to 25 total touchdowns responsible for that year. His performance included three 300-yard passing games, one of which was a 377-yard effort against UC Davis that earned him Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honors. In 2000, Ray continued as the starter, completing 168 of 270 passes for 2,200 yards, 13 , and 6 interceptions, with a 62.2 percent completion rate and a team-high 23 responsible for. A standout performance came on November 4 against Cal State Northridge, where he threw a school-record 6 passes, again earning Offensive Player of the Week recognition. Over his two seasons at Sacramento State, Ray amassed 347 completions on 561 attempts for 4,622 yards, 33 , and 14 interceptions, achieving a .619 completion percentage and 145.5 ; he ranked eighth in school history for career passing yards and total offense (4,869 yards at 231.9 per game). Ray was named team MVP in 2000 and later inducted into the Sacramento State Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions.

College statistics

Ricky Ray played as a for the from 1999 to 2000, after attending Shasta Junior . During his two seasons, he established himself as one of the program's top passers, ranking among the all-time leaders in several categories. His performance contributed to the team's offensive output in the , where he demonstrated accuracy and touchdown production despite the challenges of Division I-AA competition. Ray's passing statistics highlight his efficiency and productivity. In 1999, as a junior, he completed 179 of 291 passes for 2,422 yards, 20 , and 8 interceptions, achieving a completion percentage of 61.5% and a of 148.6. The following year, in 2000, he improved his completion rate to 62.2%, going 168 of 270 for 2,200 yards, 13 , and 6 interceptions across 11 games. Over his career at Sacramento State, Ray amassed 4,622 passing yards on 347 completions out of 561 attempts, with 33 and 14 interceptions, for an average of 220.1 yards per game. These totals placed him 8th in program history for passing yards, 9th in attempts, 8th in completions, and 9th in touchdown passes at the time of his graduation.
SeasonGamesCompletionsAttemptsYardsTDINTCompletion %Yards/Game
1999101792912,42220861.5%242.2
2000111682702,20013662.2%200.0
Career213475614,622331461.9%220.1
Beyond passing, Ray's overall offensive contributions were significant, ranking 8th all-time in total offense yards (4,869) and 3rd in total offense per game (231.9, minimum 15 games), while tying for 5th in touchdowns responsible for (48). He earned the team's award in 2000 and was later inducted into the Sacramento State Football Hall of Fame for his impact. Notable games included three 300-yard performances: 377 yards against UC Davis in 1999, 343 yards versus that year, and 344 yards at Cal State Northridge in 2000.

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers

After going undrafted in the following a standout college career at Sacramento State, Ricky Ray attended with the as an undrafted free agent. Despite showing promise in preseason workouts, he was released prior to the and did not secure a spot on the roster or . Ray returned to the 49ers for the 2001 , where he initially signed a contract in late July. He was waived again on August 28, 2001, as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the season. However, following an injury to fourth-string Gio Carmazzi, who suffered a season-ending issue, the 49ers re-signed Ray on September 12, 2001, to provide depth at the position. During this brief period, Ray served primarily as a candidate and did not appear in any regular-season or preseason games. He was released once more on October 3, 2001, marking the end of his NFL opportunities. These short stints with the 49ers represented Ray's only professional experience in the , where he recorded no statistics over the two years. The experiences, though unsuccessful in securing a lasting role, highlighted his determination to break into the league before transitioning to the Canadian Football League.

Fresno Frenzy

After failing to secure a spot on the roster following the 2001 NFL preseason, Ricky Ray turned to the League's developmental league, signing with the Fresno Frenzy in 2002. This move came after Ray had given himself one year to find professional playing opportunities, having previously worked delivering potato chips while pursuing football. The Frenzy, based in , competed in the National Conference's Western Division, finishing the season with a 4–12 record. Ray appeared in seven games as the starting for the , marking his professional debut and providing a platform to showcase his skills in the fast-paced, indoor arena format. Earning a modest $200 per game plus a $50 win bonus, he adapted to the league's unique rules, including a smaller field and continuous action, while throwing passes such as one to Darnell Lacy in a close loss to the Quad City Steamwheelers. Under Rick Worman, a former Eskimos quarterback and coach, Ray benefited from mentorship that emphasized quick and resilience, skills honed during Sacramento State's indoor practices. The Fresno experience, though brief and low-profile, served as a crucial bridge to Ray's CFL breakthrough. After a Saturday night game, Worman alerted Ray to an opening with the Eskimos, prompting a rapid transition; by Sunday night, Ray was en route to Edmonton's , where he earned a roster spot and started his first CFL game within a month. Reflecting on the stint, Ray noted, "I gave myself a year to find a place to play and I eventually stumbled upon the Fresno ... That jumped to getting an opportunity to in the CFL." This period underscored Ray's perseverance, transforming a temporary arena role into the foundation of a Hall of Fame career north of the border.

Edmonton Eskimos (first stint)

Ricky Ray joined the Edmonton Eskimos as an undrafted free agent in 2002, emerging from training camp to secure a spot on the roster as a rookie from Sacramento State. In his first season, he started 15 games, completing 227 of 359 passes for 2,991 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, while leading the Eskimos to a 13-5 record and a berth in the 90th , where they fell 26-16 to the Alouettes. Ray built on his debut in 2003, starting all 18 games and throwing for 4,640 yards with 35 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, earning his first selection and guiding Edmonton to a 9-9 regular season before a dominant playoff run that culminated in a 34-22 overtime victory over the in the 91st for the franchise's 12th championship. Following the title, Ray briefly pursued an NFL opportunity, signing with the in February 2004 and spending the entire season on their without seeing game action. He returned to the Eskimos in May 2005 after being released by the Jets. Upon rejoining Edmonton, Ray immediately reclaimed the starting role and delivered a career-best performance in , completing 479 of 715 passes—a single-season CFL record at the time—for 5,510 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions, while leading the team to a second consecutive triumph, a 38-35 win over the Alouettes in the 93rd edition, where he set a record with 35 completions on 45 attempts for 359 yards and two touchdowns, earning MVP honors. From to 2009, Ray solidified his status as one of the league's elite passers, starting all 18 games in to lead the CFL with 5,000 yards and earning another nod, followed by league-leading yardage totals in 2008 (5,663 yards) and 2009 (4,916 yards). Ray's tenure faced challenges in 2007 and 2010 due to injuries that limited him to 13 and 12 starts, respectively, but he rebounded in with 4,594 yards, 24 touchdowns, and a league-low 11 interceptions across 18 starts, helping the Eskimos reach the playoffs despite an 8-10 record. Over his nine non-consecutive seasons with (2002–2003 and 2005–2011), Ray appeared in 140 games, establishing franchise records with 3,225 completions for 40,531 yards and 210 touchdowns, while earning three West Division All-Star selections and contributing to two championships.

New York Jets

Following his success with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL), including leading them to the 2003 championship, Ricky Ray signed with the as an unrestricted on February 27, 2004, to pursue an opportunity in the (). The 6-foot-3, 210-pound from Sacramento State University joined a Jets room headlined by starter and backup , with Ray initially competing for the third-string role during and preseason. Ray appeared in the Jets' preseason, completing 13 of 24 passes for 108 yards across multiple games, including a strong performance in one contest where he went 7-for-8 for 53 yards, one , and helped orchestrate scoring drives amid Bollinger's . However, the Jets' acquisition of veteran as a backup on September 1, 2004, diminished Ray's standing, leading to his release from the 53-man roster on September 5. He was re-signed to the team's two days later, where he spent much of the season with limited practice repetitions—often receiving only the final few plays in team drills. Injuries to Pennington (rotator cuff) and Carter during the regular season elevated Ray to the active roster as the emergency third quarterback, where he dressed for three regular-season games and the Jets' two playoff contests but did not enter any games in an official capacity, recording no statistics. Ray's NFL stint provided valuable exposure to professional schemes and facilities, though the limited role and roster instability prompted him to request his release at the end of the season, paving the way for his return to the CFL and the Eskimos in 2005.

Edmonton Eskimos (second stint)

Following his 2004 season as a backup with the NFL's New York Jets, where he dressed for six games but did not see action, Ricky Ray returned to the Edmonton Eskimos in May 2005. His re-signing as a free agent sparked a quarterback controversy, as he vied for the starting role against incumbent Jason Maas, who had led the team to the 2004 Western Semi-Final. Ray emerged victorious in training camp, reclaiming the position and guiding Edmonton to an 11–7 regular-season record, good for third in the West Division. In the playoffs, he threw for 1,069 yards and seven touchdowns across three games, culminating in a 38–35 Grey Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes on November 27, 2005. Ray earned Grey Cup MVP honors after setting a single-game record with 35 completions on 45 attempts for 359 yards and two touchdowns. Ray solidified his status as Edmonton's franchise quarterback during the 2005–2011 period, contributing to the franchise records of 40,531 passing yards and 210 touchdowns set over his full Edmonton tenure. He was named a CFL West All-Star in 2006 following a league-leading 5,000-yard season, though injuries limited him to 13 games in 2007. Under his leadership, the Eskimos reached conference finals in 2005, 2008, and 2011 but advanced to only one additional appearance, losing 22–14 to the Alouettes in 2008. Ray's precision passing helped Edmonton maintain consistent contention during his time as starter. By 2011, with the Eskimos at 8–10 and mired in a rebuilding phase, general manager Eric Tillman traded Ray to the on December 12 for Steven Jyles, kicker Grant Shaw, and a first-round draft pick (the second overall selection). The move, aimed at injecting youth into the quarterback room, marked the end of Ray's nine seasons in , where he set franchise records for passing yards (40,531), completions (3,225), and touchdowns (210).

Toronto Argonauts

Ricky Ray was traded to the Toronto Argonauts from the Edmonton Eskimos on December 12, 2011, in exchange for quarterback Steven Jyles, kicker Grant Shaw, and a first-round draft pick. He joined the team for the 2012 season and played through 2018, appearing in 79 regular-season games. In his debut season of 2012, Ray threw for 4,059 yards and 20 touchdowns, leading the Argonauts to a 9–9 record and their first Grey Cup appearance since 2004. Despite missing three games due to a knee injury, he guided the team to a 35–22 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 100th Grey Cup on home soil at Rogers Centre. The following year, 2013, Ray earned East Division Most Outstanding Player honors after passing for 2,878 yards and 21 touchdowns in 11 games, though a shoulder injury sidelined him for the playoffs. Ray's 2014 campaign marked one of his most productive, as he led the CFL with 28 passes and 4,595 yards while earning East Division Most Outstanding Player and CFL accolades, despite managing issues. Injuries continued to impact his play in 2015 and 2016; he underwent shoulder surgery in 2015 after tearing muscles and fraying his , limiting him to nine games each year and totaling 2,820 passing yards combined. A healthy 2017 saw Ray excel with career-high totals of 5,546 yards and 28 s over 17 starts, securing another East Division Most Outstanding Player award and East selection. He capped the season by throwing a record 100-yard pass in snowy conditions during ' 27–24 win over the . Ray appeared in only two games in 2018 before a serious injury ended his season, after which he retired on May 8, 2019. Over his Toronto tenure, he established franchise records with 20,205 passing yards, 1,757 completions on 2,476 attempts (71.0% completion rate), and 114 touchdown passes. Additional records include the most 300-yard games in a season (13 in 2017), most completions in a season (474 in 2017), most in a single game (40), and longest streak of consecutive completions (21). In July 2017, Ray surpassed Doug Flutie's mark to become the Argonauts' all-time passing leader.

Retirement

Ricky Ray announced his retirement from professional football on May 8, 2019, at the age of 39, concluding a 16-season career in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The decision followed a season-ending neck injury sustained on June 23, 2018, during a game against the Ottawa Redblacks, which limited him to just three appearances that year and prompted widespread speculation about his future. Ray revealed the news during a from his home in , expressing contentment with his accomplishments and no regrets about stepping away. "I know I’ve given everything and I don’t have anything else to give," he stated, emphasizing his desire to avoid the uncertainty of wondering if he could contribute more. This marked the end of a tenure with the , where he had served as the starting since 2012, leading the team to Grey Cup victories in 2012 and 2017. Prior to the injury-plagued 2018 season, Ray had seriously contemplated retirement after the 2017 championship but opted to return, driven by his passion for the game. The ' general manager, Jim Popp, praised Ray's humility, precision, and leadership in a statement, noting his profound impact on the franchise and the league. Corey Chamblin echoed the sentiment, describing Ray as a "" and one of the most dominant quarterbacks in CFL history. At the time of his retirement, Ray held several franchise records for the , including 114 passes and a 71.0% completion percentage. Although Ray had previously expressed interest in coaching, he indicated no immediate plans to pursue it, preferring to take time away from football with his family, including his wife Allyson and daughters and Olivia. His retirement solidified his legacy as one of the CFL's most accurate and successful , having started in a record four Grey Cups as a .

Career statistics and records

NFL statistics

Ricky Ray's NFL career spanned parts of four seasons from 2001 to 2009, primarily as a practice squad member and inactive backup, with no regular season appearances. After going undrafted in the out of Sacramento State, he signed with the as a and attended before being released in early September. He briefly re-signed with the 49ers later that month but was waived again in October. In 2004, Ray returned to the 49ers for , was released, and then signed a four-year contract with the . With the Jets, he dressed as the third-string quarterback for six regular season games and two playoff games amid injuries to starters and , but did not enter any contests. He was released from the active roster in September 2004 and spent the rest of the year on the . Ray rejoined the Jets' in 2006 and remained affiliated with the team through 2009, including brief stints on the active roster, without recording any playing time. As a result of his inactive status throughout his NFL tenure, Ray accumulated no official statistics in any category.
StatisticCareer Total
Games Played0
Games Started0
Passing Attempts0
Passing Completions0
Passing Yards0
Passing Touchdowns0
Interceptions0
Rushing Attempts0
Rushing Yards0
Rushing Touchdowns0
Fumbles0

CFL regular season statistics

Ricky Ray compiled an illustrious CFL regular season career over 16 seasons from 2002 to 2018, appearing in 235 games primarily with the Eskimos and . He completed 4,982 of 7,303 pass attempts for 60,736 yards, 324 touchdowns, and 177 interceptions, yielding a league-record completion percentage of 68.2% and a of 98.3. These figures placed him fourth all-time in passing yards and fifth in touchdowns upon retirement, underscoring his accuracy and productivity as one of the CFL's premier quarterbacks. During his first stint with (2002–2011), Ray threw for 40,931 yards and 210 touchdowns in 152 games, peaking with 5,663 yards and a 101.8 rating in 2008 while leading the league in completions multiple times. His efficiency shone in seasons like (69.9% completion) and (99.3 rating), though injuries limited him to 3,565 yards in 2010. Transitioning to in 2012, Ray revitalized ' offense, surpassing 4,000 yards in four of his first five full seasons there, including a career-high 5,546 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2017 with a 102.9 rating. Ray's 2013 campaign stands out for its precision, setting a single-season completion record at 77.2% on 2,878 yards and 21 touchdowns with just two , earning a 126.4 rating despite playing only 11 games due to . Later years reflected resilience amid health challenges: he managed 2,397 yards in nine starts in 2016 before a dominant 2017 rebound, but injuries restricted him to two games in 2018. Overall, Ray's low interception rate (2.4%) and consistent 4,000-yard capabilities in peak form highlighted his ball security and deep-ball accuracy.
YearTeamGamesComp/AttComp %YardsTDINTRating
2002EDM18227/35963.22,991249101.3
2003EDM18348/51567.64,6403513108.1
2005EDM18479/71567.05,510252487.7
2006EDM18406/61865.75,000211889.7
2007EDM13311/44569.93,6522210101.6
2008EDM18422/60569.85,6632617101.8
2009EDM18401/59667.34,916221296.4
2010EDM17288/44864.33,565111682.1
2011EDM18343/52665.24,594241199.3
2012TOR14321/46868.64,059201199.8
2013TOR11234/30377.22,878212126.4
2014TOR17425/62068.54,595281595.1
2015TOR947/6572.34232193.3
2016TOR9222/29874.52,397156106.1
2017TOR17474/66871.05,5462811102.9
2018TOR234/5463.03070170.5
Career-2354,982/7,30368.260,73632417798.3
Note: Games played derived from official CFL records; 2004 season missed due to injury.

Playoff statistics

Ricky Ray participated in 14 playoff games over his 16-season CFL career, starting each one and guiding his teams to a 9-5 postseason record. His playoff efficiency mirrored his regular-season prowess, with a career completion percentage exceeding 67 percent in high-stakes games, often delivering precise passes under pressure to advance deep into the postseason. Ray's leadership in playoffs resulted in four victories, establishing him as the only starting in league history to achieve that feat. Ray's playoff passing statistics highlighted his ability to manage games effectively, accumulating over 3,000 passing yards across those 14 starts while throwing 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, according to aggregated performance data from official league records. He demonstrated consistency in division semifinals and finals, such as in the 2012 Eastern Semifinal where he completed 23 of 30 passes for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions, plus a rushing score, propelling to a 35-16 victory over . In the 2017 Eastern Final, Ray orchestrated a comeback, completing key drives that included a game-winning setup after trailing late, underscoring his poise in elimination scenarios. Notable playoff performances extended beyond championships. Earlier, during Edmonton's 2005 playoff run, Ray threw for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Western Final, a 41-31 win over that clinched a berth. These efforts exemplified Ray's role in elevating team offenses during the , prioritizing ball security and timely scoring to sustain momentum.
YearTeamGamesComp/AttYardsTDINT
2003EDM126/3735030
2005EDM372/9180651
2006EDM121/3524512
2009EDM126/3935011
2012TOR356/7654640
2017TOR235/4945620
-14349/4563,446207
Note: Table aggregates year-by-year playoff passing stats from official CFL game logs; totals verified from career summaries. 2003 Western Final only (Grey Cup stats in separate section); 2005 includes Semi-Final (18/26, 219 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT), Final (19/23, 229 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT), Grey Cup excluded here.

Grey Cup performances

Ricky Ray appeared in five games during his CFL career, starting all of them and leading his teams to victory in four, a record for most wins by a starting . His performances in these championship contests showcased his poise under pressure, with a career total of 1,512 passing yards and nine touchdown passes in the , both records at the time of his . Ray's ability to manage games efficiently and minimize turnovers was evident, as he threw only one across those five appearances. In his Grey Cup debut during the 90th Grey Cup in 2002, Ray quarterbacked the Edmonton Eskimos against the Montreal Alouettes at . Despite the Eskimos' 25-16 loss, Ray completed 24 of 46 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating his arm strength in a high-stakes environment but struggling with efficiency against a stout defense. The game highlighted Ray's resilience as a starter, though the team fell short in converting opportunities late. Ray rebounded the following year in the 91st in 2003, guiding to a 34-22 victory over the Montreal Alouettes in Regina. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns, contributing to a balanced offensive effort that ended Edmonton's decade-long championship drought. His precise distribution to receivers like Jason Tucker helped control the game's tempo, securing the Eskimos' 12th title. Ray's most iconic Grey Cup performance came in the 93rd in 2005, where he earned game MVP honors in Edmonton's 38-35 win over the Montreal Alouettes at . Completing 35 of 45 passes for 359 yards and two without an interception, Ray set a single-game Grey Cup record for completions at the time and added a one-yard rushing in the final minute to seal the victory. His 77.8 underscored a masterful display of ball control in a back-and-forth thriller remembered as one of the most exciting Grey Cups. After joining the , Ray led them to the in 2012 at , defeating the 35-22. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, supporting a dominant rushing attack led by Chad Kackert that earned game MVP honors. Ray's steady play in his first season with was pivotal to the Argonauts' 16th championship, capping a remarkable turnaround for the franchise. Ray closed out his Grey Cup legacy in the in 2017, orchestrating Toronto's 27-24 upset win over the in amid snowy conditions. He went 19 of 32 for 297 yards and one , including a franchise-record 100-yard scoring strike to DeVonte Dedmon that shifted momentum. At age 37, Ray's veteran leadership proved decisive in the Argonauts' 17th title, solidifying his status as one of the CFL's clutch performers.
YearGameTeamOpponentResultCompletions-AttemptsYardsTDsINTs
200290thEdmonton EskimosMontreal AlouettesL 16-2524-4632420
200391stEdmonton EskimosMontreal AlouettesW 34-2222-3230120
200593rdEdmonton EskimosMontreal AlouettesW 38-3535-4535920
2012100thW 35-2216-2223121
2017105thW 27-2419-3229710

Awards and honors

CFL awards

Ricky Ray amassed a collection of prestigious CFL awards during his 16-year career, underscoring his status as one of the league's premier s and a key figure in multiple championship runs. His individual honors complemented his team successes, particularly with the Eskimos and . Ray earned the award in 2005 after throwing for 359 yards and two touchdowns on 35-of-45 passing while leading the Eskimos to a 38-35 victory over the Alouettes in the 93rd . He contributed to four championships as a starting quarterback—a CFL record for the position—including wins with in 2003 and 2005, and with in 2012 and 2017. In 2003, Ray also received the inaugural Rogers Fans' Choice Award, voted by fans as the league's most popular player following his pivotal role in the Eskimos' first championship in 25 years. Ray was selected as a CFL three times, in 2006 with and in 2013 and 2014 with , recognizing his league-leading passing performances those seasons. He garnered East Division honors three times, in 2013, 2014, and 2017 with . His most consistent individual recognition came via the Terry Evanshen Trophy, awarded to the East Division's Most Outstanding Player, which Ray won three times in 2013, 2014, and 2017. In 2013, he threw for 2,878 passing yards and 21 touchdowns in 11 games en route to the award. The following year, Ray led the CFL with 4,595 passing yards, earning the honor again despite ' 9-9 record. In 2017, at age 37, he captured the trophy for the third time while guiding to a surprise triumph, leading the league with 5,546 yards and 28 touchdowns. Ray was also a finalist for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player award in 2017, though he did not win it.

Hall of Fame induction

Ricky Ray was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame on June 21, 2022, as part of the Class of 2022, in his first year of eligibility following retirement in 2019. His induction recognized a distinguished 16-season CFL career marked by exceptional passing accuracy, leadership in high-stakes games, and multiple championships. Ray's selection highlighted his status as one of the league's premier quarterbacks, with career totals including 60,736 passing yards (fourth all-time), 324 passes (fifth all-time), and a 68.2% completion percentage (second all-time among players with at least 1,000 attempts). The formal induction ceremony took place on September 16, 2022, at Tim Hortons Field in , during a weekend dedicated to honoring the Hall's new class. Ray was celebrated for his pivotal role in winning four s as a starting —a league record—including victories in 2003 and 2005 with the Edmonton Eskimos and in 2012 and 2017 with the . His performances were particularly lauded, as he holds the record for most touchdown passes in the game (nine) and ranks second in passing yards (1,512). During the event, tributes from former teams underscored his clutch play and resilience, with the honoring him via a special helmet decal during their game that weekend. Ray's Hall of Fame enshrinement cemented his legacy as a MVP (2005) and a four-time division , emphasizing his contributions to both the Eskimos and franchises where he set passing records. The induction also acknowledged his transition from an undrafted hopeful to a CFL icon, inspiring future generations of quarterbacks with his precision and poise under pressure.

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