Mel Gray (wide receiver)
- This page refers to the St. Louis Cardinals wide receiver. For the kick returner, see Mel Gray.
| Date of birth | September 28, 1948 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Fresno, California |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Wide receiver |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 172 lb (78 kg) |
| College | Missouri |
| NFL draft | 1971 / Round: 6 / Pick: 147 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| (1971–1982) | St. Louis Cardinals |
| (1983) | Los Angeles Express |
| (1984–1985) | Oklahoma / Arizona Outlaws |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls | 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 |
| Honors | NEA 1st Team All-Pro (1974) AP, Pro Football Weekly, PFWA 1st Team All-Pro (1975) |
| Career stats | |
|
|
Melvin Dean Gray (born September 28, 1948) is a former National Football League wide receiver for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1971 to 1982. He attended Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, California,[1] the football standout was also a track and field star. While winning the 100 yard dash at the 1967 CIF California State Meet, Gray set not only the meet record but the National High School record of 9.4 in the event at the time. His meet record lasted until 1979. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Missouri. He was a sixth-round draft choice for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1971 NFL draft and was selected to four straight Pro Bowls (1974–1977). Gray caught passes in 121 consecutive games between 1973 and 1982.[2]
Track and field
In track, Gray was an all-American once indoors and twice outdoors. He was a Grand Slam winner in the 100 meters in '70, taking titles at the Texas, Kansas, and Drake Relays. He was a five time Big Eight Conference sprint champion, winning the indoor 60-yard dash (1970), and the 100 and 220-yard dashes outdoors in 1969 and '70. His personal bests are 10.10 seconds in the 100 meters and 20.30 seconds in the 200 meters, but he also competed in long Jump, posting a personal best of 7.92 meters.
Personal bests
| Event | Time (seconds) | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 meters | 10.10 | Lawrence, Kansas | April 20, 1968 |
| 200 meters | 20.30 | Lawrence, Kansas | May 15, 1970 |
| Event | Mark (meters) | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Jump | 7.92 | Lawrence, Kansas | May 15, 1970 |
References
- ↑ Mel Gray, database Football. Accessed March 21, 2012.
- ↑ The New York Times, Dec. 7, 1982."Mel Gray to retire". Accessed March 21, 2012.
