CANTON, Ohio–The University of Southern Mississippi saw it’s first pro athlete alum inducted into the Football Hall of Fame this weekend. Ray Guy was not only the first from Southern Miss, he was also the first NFL punter to get the honor.
Introduced by his former NFL coach, John Madden, Guy gave a 15-minute speech, which included remarks about his years at USM.
“Unfortunately, there are two special friends who are no longer with us and who I’d like to salute,” said Guy. “One, my college coach, P.W. Underwood. Coach Underwood gave me an opportunity to get an education and play football and baseball at Southern Mississippi.”
Guy said he was an outstanding athlete at Southern and in high school and he felt he could have been an outstanding basketball or baseball player, but it was football where he truly stood out.
After his stint at USM, Guy, 64, had a 14-year career with the Oakland Raiders as a full-time punter.
He was inducted in the 23rd year of eligibility.
