Baby Ray
Garfield Buford "Baby" Ray ( born September 30, 1914 in Una, Tennessee, USA, † January 21, 1986 in Nashville, Tennessee), a U.S. American football player was. He played in the National Football League ( NFL) with the Green Bay Packers as a tackle.
Playing career
College career
Buford Ray attended high school in Nashville, graduated from Vanderbilt University, where he played American football thereafter. As is usual for that time he played for the Vanderbilt Commodores in both the Defense, as well as on offense. He ran in two parts on each team as a tackle. In 1937, he served as deputy captain of the Commodores. From his college, he was awarded in the years 1935 to 1937 because of his athletic achievements.
Professional career
Without being drawn into a NFL Draft, he joined as a free agent the Green Bay Packers. Head coach of the team was Curly Lambeau. The Packers were a top team and had numerous All-Star players like Arnie Herber, Clarke Hinkle and Cecil Isbell in their ranks. Along with Russ Letlow and Bill Lee Ray played on the offensive line as a tackle.
Ray moved already in his rookie year in the NFL championship game, but that was lost with 23:17 against the New York Giants. 1939 Ray won then his first championship title. This time, the Giants were beaten 27-0. 1941 Ray moved for the third time with his team in the championship game. The Chicago Bears won with 33:14. 1944 Ray won then his second title. Again subject to the Giants, the team from Green Bay with 14:7. After 11 years with the Packers Ray ended his playing career in 1948.
Coaching career
Buford Ray was. According to his playing career assistant coach at his old college In 1955 his team won the Gator Bowl - it was the first win of a Bowl game by the Commodores. In addition, he was a full-time scout for the team. Baby Ray later returned to the Green Bay Packers, where he worked until his death as a personnel officer and scout. Ray is on the Calvary Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee, buried.
Honors
Ray once played in the Pro Bowl, the final game of the best players of the season. He was elected four times to the All- Pro. He is a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, in the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and the NFL 1940s All- Decade Team.