Mel Gray

Mel Gray may refer to:

Mel Gray (wide receiver)

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, 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.

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.

Mel Gray (return specialist)

Melvin Junius Gray (born March 16, 1961) is a former American football kickoff returner in the National Football League. He played with the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Houston Oilers and the Philadelphia Eagles. In 1984 and 1985, he played for the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League. He played college football at Purdue where he played running back. Gray also attended Lafayette High School in Williamsburg, Virginia where he played with future NFL players Lawrence Taylor and Ron Springs

Gray is widely considered to be one of greatest return specialists of all-time in the NFL. He holds the record for being the oldest player to return a kickoff for a touchdown (33 years, 276 days). He is also the second oldest and third oldest to do so as well. 2.(33 years, 235 days) 3.(33 years, 221 days).

NFL career

After the USFL folded in August 1986, Gray joined the New Orleans Saints who drafted him in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players.