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Shane Ray

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Shane Ray
refer to caption
Ray with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1993-05-18) May 18, 1993 (age 31)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Bishop Miege
(Roeland Park, Kansas)
College:Missouri (2011–2014)
Position:Linebacker
NFL draft:2015 / round: 1 / pick: 23
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:94
Sacks:14.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:2
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Stats at CFL.ca

Shane Michael Ray (born May 18, 1993) is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Missouri, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. Ray has won both a Super Bowl and a Grey Cup.

Early life

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Ray attended Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Kansas, where he played football and competed in track. In football, he earned first-team all-state honors as a senior after totaling 100 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles. In track & field, Ray competed in the throwing events. At the 2010 Baker Relays, he took gold in the shot put event with a throw of 14.60 meters (47 ft 9 in).[1]

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated as the 17th best weakside defensive end prospect of his class.[2] After being shown interest by programs such as Notre Dame, Kansas and Wisconsin, he ultimately decided to accept a scholarship to Missouri.[3]

College career

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After redshirting in his first season, he made 16 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, in 12 games as a backup defensive end for the Tigers. In 2013, played in all 14 games, recording 39 tackles, including nine for loss, and 4.5 sacks despite backing up Kony Ealy and Michael Sam. In 2014, he began to emerge as one of the premier pass rushers in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Through the first five games of the season, he set a new career high in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (8).[4] In the 2014 SEC Championship Game, he was ejected from the game after targeting Alabama quarterback Blake Sims after throwing for what turned out to be a 58-yard touchdown to DeAndrew White.[5] He cooled off towards the end of the season, but he still finished with 65 tackles, 22.5 tackles-for-loss and 14.5 sacks, breaking the record of 11.5 that was owned by both Michael Sam and Aldon Smith. Following the season, he was named a unanimous All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.[6][7]

After his junior season, Ray entered the 2015 NFL draft.[8]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Bench press
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m) 		245 lb
(111 kg) 		33+1⁄8 in
(0.84 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[9]

Ray was prevented from participating in drills at the NFL Combine due to a foot injury similar to turf toe that he obtained during the 2015 Citrus Bowl, however many doctors said surgery is not needed. On April 27, 2015, days before the 2015 NFL Draft, he was cited for possession of marijuana.[10][11]

Denver Broncos

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Ray with the Denver Broncos in 2015.

Ray was a potential top ten draft pick until he was arrested for marijuana possession.[12] On April 30, 2015, Ray was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. Originally holding the 28th pick, Denver traded Manny Ramirez, along with two of their fifth-round selections to the Detroit Lions to move up 5 spots.[13] Ray ended his rookie season with 20 tackles, four sacks, and one pass deflection.

Ray was on the Broncos when they won the Super Bowl on February 7, 2016, defeating the Carolina Panthers 24–10 in Super Bowl 50.[14] Ray came off the bench and had two tackles and a forced fumble in the game.[15]

On September 18, 2016, Ray scored his first career touchdown after a forced fumble was caused by Von Miller to seal a Broncos victory against the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 34–20. On September 25, 2016, Ray recorded a career-high three sacks in a 29–17 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals to help the Broncos improve to 3–0.

On July 28, 2017, it was revealed that Ray had suffered a torn ligament in his wrist, which ruled him out for six to eight weeks.[16] He was placed on injured reserve on September 4, 2017, making him eligible to return in 2017.[17] He was activated off injured reserve on October 30 for the team's Week 8 matchup against the Chiefs.[18] He was placed back on injured reserve on December 19, 2017 after having his third wrist surgery.[19]

On May 2, 2018, the Broncos declined Ray's fifth-year option.[20] On June 6, 2018, it was reported that Ray would require another wrist surgery that would sideline him for at least three months.[21]

Baltimore Ravens

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On May 17, 2019, Ray signed with the Baltimore Ravens.[22] He was released during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019.[23]

Toronto Argonauts

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On February 6, 2021, Ray signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.[24] Over two seasons, he dressed for 18 games where he recorded 17 defensive tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles.[25] In 2023, Ray suffered a torn bicep late in the season and was on the injured list when the team won the 109th Grey Cup championship.[26] He became a free agent upon the expiration of his contract on February 14, 2023.[27]

Buffalo Bills

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On May 12, 2023, Ray was invited to the Bills' minicamp for a tryout, and was later signed to a deal, reuniting with former Broncos teammate Von Miller.[28] He was placed on injured reserve on August 21, 2023.[29] He was released on August 26, 2023.[30]

Tennessee Titans

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On July 25, 2024, Ray signed with the Tennessee Titans.[31] He was released on August 27.[32]

NFL career statistics

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
G GS Comb Solo Ast Sack Sfty Int Yds Lng TD PD FF FR Yds TD
2015 DEN 14 0 20 15 5 4.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2016 DEN 16 8 48 33 15 8.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 18 1
2017 DEN 8 7 16 10 6 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 DEN 11 0 10 6 4 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
Career 49 15 94 64 30 14.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 18 1

Personal life

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Shane's father, Wendell Ray, lettered at Missouri from 1978 to 1980 at the linebacker position and was a fifth-round draft pick in the 1981 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings, but never played a regular-season game in the NFL. In an interview with Bleacher Report, Shane states that he and his mother were "trying to make it off food stamps".[33]

References

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  1. ^ "Baker Relays 2010 - Complete Results (Raw)". Kansas Milesplit. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  2. ^ "Shane Ray, 2011 Weakside Defensive End, Missouri". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  3. ^ "Shane Ray Commits To Tigers". Scout.com. March 6, 2010.
  4. ^ "Shane Ray starring at defensive end for Missouri". The Washington Times.
  5. ^ "Missouri's Shane Ray ejected from SEC title game for targeting". NFL.com.
  6. ^ Missourian staff (December 18, 2014). "Missouri football's Shane Ray named consensus All-American". Columbia Missourian.
  7. ^ "Mizzou's Shane Ray Named SEC Defender Of Year « CBS St. Louis".
  8. ^ "Missouri's Shane Ray officially declares for NFL Draft". kansascity.
  9. ^ Tyler Conway. "Shane Ray: 2015 NFL Combine Results, Highlights and Twitter Reaction". Bleacher Report.
  10. ^ Bieler, Des (April 27, 2015). "NFL draft prospect Shane Ray reportedly busted for marijuana". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  11. ^ "Top prospect Shane Ray cited for possession of marijuana". ESPN.com. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  12. ^ "Mizzou's Ray Cited for Marijuana Possession". St. Louis Today.
  13. ^ Palmer, Tod. "Ray drafted by Broncos in first round of 2015 NFL Draft". KansasCity.com. The Kansas City Star. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  14. ^ "Super Bowl 50 - Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers - February 7th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  15. ^ Reidy, Darren Broncos' Shane Ray on Super Bowl 50 and the Tattoo That Pissed Off Denver Rolling Stone. March 21, 2016
  16. ^ "Shane Ray (wrist) out 6-8 weeks". NFL. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  17. ^ Swanson, Ben (September 4, 2017). "Broncos place Shane Ray on injured reserve, make Osweiler signing official". DenverBroncos.com.
  18. ^ Swanson, Ben (October 30, 2017). "Broncos activate OLB Shane Ray from injured reserve". DenverBroncos.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018.
  19. ^ DiLalla, Aric (December 19, 2017). "Broncos place OLB Shane Ray on injured reserve, sign Michael Hunter". DenverBroncos.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018.
  20. ^ Sessler, Marc (May 2, 2018). "Denver Broncos decline to pick up Shane Ray's option". NFL.com.
  21. ^ Wesseling, Chris (June 6, 2018). "Broncos' Shane Ray to undergo another wrist surgery". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
  22. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 17, 2019). "Former Broncos Pass Rusher Shane Ray Joins Ravens". BaltimoreRavens.com.
  23. ^ Brown, Clifton (August 30, 2019). "Michael Floyd, Shane Ray Among Ravens' Friday Roster Cuts". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  24. ^ "Argos sign former NFL first round pick Shane Ray + re-sign Woodson". argonauts.ca. February 6, 2021.
  25. ^ "Shane Ray". Canadian Football League. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  26. ^ "DL Shane Ray signs with Buffalo Bills following two-year stint with Toronto Argonauts". 3DownNation. May 13, 2023.
  27. ^ "Transactions - Football Player Trades and Signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  28. ^ "DE Shane Ray, out of NFL since 2019, signs with Bills". ESPN. May 14, 2023.
  29. ^ "Bills sign OT Garrett McGhin, RB Ty Johnson". BuffaloBills.com. August 21, 2023.
  30. ^ Bouda, Nate (August 25, 2023). "NFL Transactions: Friday 8/25". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  31. ^ Wyatt, Jim (July 25, 2024). "Titans Agree to Terms with OL Corey Levin, OLB Shane Ray". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  32. ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 27, 2024). "Titans Trim Roster Ahead of NFL's Deadline". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  33. ^ Cole, Jason (August 12, 2015). "Shane Ray Q&A: What Rookie Has Learned from His Mom, Pot Bust, Sam and Manning". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
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