Everything You Need To Know About Leon Gray

Leon Gray is an American football former Tackle for a number of NFL teams, four-time Pro Bowl participant, and member of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. Here's Everything You Need To Know About Leon Gray.

Leon Gray was born on November 15, 1951, in Olive Branch, Mississippi. He was one of ten children in the family. After graduating from high school, Leon went to Jackson State, a black college, and received a music scholarship rather than an athletic scholarship. For the college team, he played at the position of offensive tackle from 1970 to 1973. He was recognized as the team's MVP and was a member of the Southwest Conference All-Star team.

In the 1973 NFL Draft, Gray was selected in the third round by the Miami Dolphins. The team had just won the Super Bowl, had adequate roster depth and the rookie never got a chance to prove himself. Before the start of the new season, he was waived. Later his candidacy was recommended to Chuck Fairbanks, the new head coach of the Patriots. Gray's contract was signed and he played the second half of the season for the team as the starting left tackle. Over the next three years, he grew into one of the NFL's best Tackles and much credit goes to Leon for allowing the team's quarterback, Steve Grogan, to feel comfortable with the envelope. In 1977, for example, the Patriots' offensive line missed just 14 sacks. His tandem with guard John Hannah was one of the best in the league, and in a 2010 interview with the New York Times, Bill Belichick called their duo “the best left side of the line you could wish for.” Gray played in the Pats lineup until 1978. The team was considered a Super Bowl contender at the time, but never made it to the title game.

Before the start of the 1979 season, Gray was traded to the Houston Oilers. The main reason for the trade was to save money, although the team's new head coach Ron Erhardt was opposed. John Hannah stated that with this trade, the Patriots traded their way into the Super Bowl. Leon played three years for the Oilers, making the playoffs twice with the team, but his best achievement was the AFC Finals, lost to Pittsburgh. He spent the last two years of his career with the Saints. Gray was later named to the 1970s Patriots all-star team and was elected to the franchise's Hall of Fame in 2019.

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After his career ended, Leon returned to live in Boston and worked in the construction industry. He passed away on November 11, 2001 at his home at the age of 49.