Carlton Gray

Carlton Patrick Gray (born June 26, 1971) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and was recognized as an All-American. He was drafted in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, and also played professionally for the Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL.

Early years

Gray was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He went to Forest Park High School in Cincinnati, and was a prep standout in football, basketball, and track. He was awarded the Dial Award for the national high school scholar-athlete of the year in 1988. His grandfather, Benjamin Hooks, retired as the executive director of the NAACP.

College career

Gray attended UCLA, where he was a four-year starter for the UCLA Bruins football team from 1989 to 1992. He earned consensus first-team All-American honors as a senior, as well as first-team All-Pac-10 accolades. He finished second all-time in UCLA history with 16 interceptions. In 1989, he became the first freshman in a decade to start at least eight games for UCLA. In 1991, Gray finished second in the nation with 10 interceptions. After his senior season in 1992, Gray was selected to play in the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game.