Chris Gray: Difference between revisions
(I've got plenty more information to add when I have time.) |
(Update.) |
||
| (7 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Christopher William Gray''' (born [[June 19]], [[1970]] in [[Birmingham]]) is | [[Image:Chris Gray.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Chris Gray]] | ||
'''Christopher William Gray''' (born [[June 19]], [[1970]] in [[Birmingham]]) is a former offensive guard for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and was a member of the team when it played in Super Bowl XL in [[2006]]. | |||
Gray | == Biography == | ||
Chris Gray attended [[Homewood High School]] where he lettered in football, playing tight end and defensive end. Shortly before his [[2006]] Super Bowl appearance, Gray cited the [[1987]] state 5A championship as the biggest game of his career up to then. The Homewood Patriots played Gadsden High, which had several injured players that season. Gadsden's players recovered in time for the game, however, and beat the Patriots 13-7. | |||
After graduating high school in [[1988]], he attended [[Auburn University]], playing with the [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn Tigers]] for four years and studying marketing. His first two years, Gray played both tackle and tight end. His second two years saw Gray start every game playing left tackle. | |||
In the [[1993]] NFL Draft, he was picked in the fifth round (132nd overall) by the Miami Dolphins. In [[1995]], Gray started for 10 games when he received an ankle injury that required surgery and kept him out the rest of the season. The [[1996|following year]] he returned and started in 11 games before breaking his ankle and again missing the rest of a season. During his career, Gray has also required operations on his left knee and both hands. | |||
In [[1997]] Gray signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. He signed with the Seahawks in [[1998]], where he played for the rest of his career. He began by playing center. In [[2000]], he started the entire season for the first time. In [[2001]], Gray moved to right guard. For most of [[2002]] he filled in for injured left guard Steve Hutchinson. | |||
Between the [[2004]] and [[2005]] seasons, Gray considered moving to the San Francisco 49ers. After a plea from fellow player Robbie Tobeck and some soul-searching, he decided to stay. This turned out to be a wise move as, at the end of the 2005 regular season, the Seattle Seahawks went to the championship game, Super Bowl XL, the team's first Super Bowl appearance. Seattle ultimately lost the game to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-10. | |||
During the 2005 season, Gray broke the Seattle Seahawks record for most consecutive starts in regular season games. The run ended in [[2006]] at 121 games. His record would have been longer if not for a thigh injury that kept him out of the final game of the season. It still remains the Seahawks franchise record for consecutive starts. He's also 9th for total games with the Seahawks with 145 played. | |||
Gray returned as a starter for the next two playoff games. He retired from the Seahawks prior to the [[2008]] season because he was "at risk for paralysis because of a lower back and spine injury...." | |||
Gray lives in Florida with his wife, Julie (who is also a Homewood graduate), daughter, Grace, and son, Matthew. He was inducted into the [[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] in [[2015]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Gray_%28American_football%29 | * "[http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012806aaa.html Former Auburn Lineman Looking For Different Results In This Big Game]." (January 28, 2006) Auburn Tigers: The official website of Auburn athletics - accessed March 12, 2008 | ||
* Kahn, Mike (August 16, 2006) "[http://www.seahawks.com/ardisplay.aspx?ID=7116 Spotlight on Chris Gray]". ''Seahawks Insider'' - accessed March 12, 2008 | |||
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Gray_%28American_football%29 Chris Gray (American football)]" (December 23, 2014) Wikipedia - accessed December 23, 2014. | |||
* "[http://www.seahawks.com/Team/Players.aspx?id=12844 Players: Chris Gray]" (n.d.) Seattle Seahawks - accessed March 12, 2008 | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gray, Chris}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Gray, Chris}} | ||
| Line 11: | Line 30: | ||
[[Category:Homewood graduates]] | [[Category:Homewood graduates]] | ||
[[Category:Auburn alumni]] | [[Category:Auburn alumni]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Auburn Tigers football players]] | ||
[[Category:Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] | |||
Latest revision as of 03:17, 23 December 2014
Christopher William Gray (born June 19, 1970 in Birmingham) is a former offensive guard for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and was a member of the team when it played in Super Bowl XL in 2006.
Biography
Chris Gray attended Homewood High School where he lettered in football, playing tight end and defensive end. Shortly before his 2006 Super Bowl appearance, Gray cited the 1987 state 5A championship as the biggest game of his career up to then. The Homewood Patriots played Gadsden High, which had several injured players that season. Gadsden's players recovered in time for the game, however, and beat the Patriots 13-7.
After graduating high school in 1988, he attended Auburn University, playing with the Auburn Tigers for four years and studying marketing. His first two years, Gray played both tackle and tight end. His second two years saw Gray start every game playing left tackle.
In the 1993 NFL Draft, he was picked in the fifth round (132nd overall) by the Miami Dolphins. In 1995, Gray started for 10 games when he received an ankle injury that required surgery and kept him out the rest of the season. The following year he returned and started in 11 games before breaking his ankle and again missing the rest of a season. During his career, Gray has also required operations on his left knee and both hands.
In 1997 Gray signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. He signed with the Seahawks in 1998, where he played for the rest of his career. He began by playing center. In 2000, he started the entire season for the first time. In 2001, Gray moved to right guard. For most of 2002 he filled in for injured left guard Steve Hutchinson.
Between the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Gray considered moving to the San Francisco 49ers. After a plea from fellow player Robbie Tobeck and some soul-searching, he decided to stay. This turned out to be a wise move as, at the end of the 2005 regular season, the Seattle Seahawks went to the championship game, Super Bowl XL, the team's first Super Bowl appearance. Seattle ultimately lost the game to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-10.
During the 2005 season, Gray broke the Seattle Seahawks record for most consecutive starts in regular season games. The run ended in 2006 at 121 games. His record would have been longer if not for a thigh injury that kept him out of the final game of the season. It still remains the Seahawks franchise record for consecutive starts. He's also 9th for total games with the Seahawks with 145 played.
Gray returned as a starter for the next two playoff games. He retired from the Seahawks prior to the 2008 season because he was "at risk for paralysis because of a lower back and spine injury...."
Gray lives in Florida with his wife, Julie (who is also a Homewood graduate), daughter, Grace, and son, Matthew. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
References
- "Former Auburn Lineman Looking For Different Results In This Big Game." (January 28, 2006) Auburn Tigers: The official website of Auburn athletics - accessed March 12, 2008
- Kahn, Mike (August 16, 2006) "Spotlight on Chris Gray". Seahawks Insider - accessed March 12, 2008
- "Chris Gray (American football)" (December 23, 2014) Wikipedia - accessed December 23, 2014.
- "Players: Chris Gray" (n.d.) Seattle Seahawks - accessed March 12, 2008