Carlton Gray

Infobox NFLretired
name=Carlton Gray


width=
caption=
position=Defensive back
number=
birthdate=Birth date and age|1971|6|26|mf=y
Cincinnati, Ohio
deathdate=
debutyear=1993
finalyear=2001
draftyear=1993
draftround=2
draftpick=30
undraftedyear=
college=UCLA
teams=
* Seattle Seahawks (1993-1996)
* Indianapolis Colts (1997)
* New York Giants (1998)
* Kansas City Chiefs (1999-2000)
* Cincinnati Bengals (2001)*:*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
stat1label=Tackles
stat1value=235
stat2label=Sacks
stat2value=2.0
stat3label=Interceptions
stat3value=12
nfl=GRA606171
pfr=
dbf=
highlights=
HOF=
CollegeHOF=
CFHOF=

Carlton Patrick Gray (born June 26, 1971 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League. He was drafted with the 1st pick in the second round in the 1993 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He played for the Seahawks (1993-1996), the Indianapolis Colts (1997), the New York Giants (1998), the Kansas City Chiefs (1999-2000), and the Cincinnati Bengals (2001).

High school

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 [cite web |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9902E3DB1531F930A2575AC0A96E958260 |title=PRO FOOTBALL; For Giants' Gray, Growing Up Was a Lesson in History |accessdate=2008-10-01 |author=Bill Pennington |date=September 13, 1998 |work=The New York Times |publisher=] .

College

Gray went to UCLA and was a four year starter and earned 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. Only Kenny Easley, who ironically played for the Seahawks in the 1980s, had more with 19. In 1989, he became the first freshman in a decade to start at least eight games for UCLA. In 1991, Gray finished 2nd in the nation with 10 interceptions. After his senior year in 1992, Gray was in the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game.

NFL

eattle Seahawks

In the 1993 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2nd round with the 1st pick (30th overall). On July 22, 1993, he officially signed with the Seahawks. His rookie year he played in 10 games, starting 2 of them. He missed the final six games of the regular season due to an ankle injury. He also recorded a sack in 1993. In 1994, he played in 11 games before breaking his his arm against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 11 and missed the rest of the season. Both 1995 and 1996, Carlton played in all 16 games. In 1995, Gray had his most productive season as a pro, being second on the Seahawks with four interceptions. He also had a career high 68 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles. On February 16, 1996, he re-signed with the Seahawks. During his four seasons with the Seahawks, he had a total of nine interceptions, with zero in 1996, and one sack.

Indianapolis Colts

On March 3, 1997 he signed a 4-year, $9.7 million with the Colts as a free agent. During his 1 season with the Colts, he had 20 tackles, 4 assisted, and 2 interception. On September 3, 1998, the Colts released Gray because cornerback Tyrone Poole returned from an injury.

New York Giants

In his one season with the Giants, he played in 14 games and recorded 29 tackles, 3 assisted tackles, his second career sack, and 1 interception.

Kansas City Chiefs

He signed with the Chiefs after the departures of Dale Carter and Mark McMillian. The 1999 season, he played in all 16 games, yet only had 10 tackles and no interception. During a scrimmage at River Falls in 2000, the Chiefs were scrimmaging the New Orleans Saints, and while a Saints player was at the bottom of the pile, Gray sucker punched him. After that, he rarely played, appearing in only 4 games.

Cincinnati Bengals

On June 6, 2001, the Bengals signed Carlton Gray to a two-year contract. He never played though, because he got cut in training camp.

References