June 30, 2023 • 21 mins
Ron revisits his interview that celebrated Ray Guy's induction into the Hall of Fame prior to his death in 2022.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Ron Barr, and this is today's edition of
Ron Barr's Sports Byline USA podcast on the eight Side Network.
Great Guy joins us on Sports Byline. I can now
say Hall of Fame punter. He punted in the NFL
for fourteen years, all of those in a Raiders uniform,
and he was the first pure punter ever selected in
the first round of the NFL Draft when the Oakland
(00:21):
Raiders selected him back in nineteen seventy three, number twenty
three overall.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
He also is the second kicker.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
In the Hall of Fame, as John Stenerud was the first,
but Ray is the first pure punter to make it. Ray,
I know you've been waiting for this honor for a
long time. So when it finally did come, what type
of reaction did you feel internally?
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Well, it took me one or two times. I asked
him to make the more they sure that I had
received that vote, and he kept telling me yes, I mean,
I was run. I was a lady. I mean really,
I mean it's really tough to really put it in
words how you feel within your innerself and your mind
and all that, but I mean I was, I was relieved,
(01:03):
and I think I just made a mental note in
my head that you know, is finally over. The waiting
is over. I don't have to really sit and you know,
stress myself out or anything like that every time I
come up for on the ballot and all that. So,
I mean, it's a tremendous honor, especially going in this
(01:23):
year to twenty fourteen with the group that we've got
going in. But yeah, but just now being amongst all
those legends from many, many, many years ago, and you know,
knowing their accomplishments, and you know, and that they've been
sitting there for ages, because that's that's the way it's
going to be now. We're we're a member of all
(01:43):
ages now from now on. And and that's a that's
a great seating to me.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
You know, when you think about the guys that are
in the Hall of Fame, they were not only outstanding players,
but I've always felt that they were unique individuals as well.
And I know you've been to the Hall of Fame before,
and when you think of you being in that Hall
of Fame with the group of players that are in
there collectively, what is it that it means so much
to the player?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Well, to me, to me being just being up to
having my bus, you know, sit alongside of all those
great legends, like I said many years ago, and you know,
just knowing, you know, knowing some of them, you know basically,
and and their accomplishments through their careers, and you know
what they went through. And but you know, the thing
(02:30):
is all of us have got the same unique character
you might want. It was a passion for us. There
was a love, It was an honor just to be
on the on the field of battle and combat, you know,
during the games and all that against your fellow peers,
and and just having fun basically is what it is.
And now that I'm there, I mean I can have
(02:53):
fun with them now, you know, knowing that I didn't
play with them, but I know what they go through
and how they the game and negated the best they could.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Ray. You bring up a very interesting point.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Your peers certainly understand what you and other kickers have
given to the game and also given to a particular team.
But those that vote the players into the Hall of
Fame and the coaches as well, they're members of the media,
and while they cover football, they may not have an
appreciation for the art form of any particular position.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Do you think it's unfair really.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
For people to look upon a kicker or a punter
and not appreciate their contribution to the game or to
a particular team.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Well, I think it's a let down to all athletes
if they're oppuners and things of this nature. You know,
knowing that you know, the voters and all that are
a lot of people, you know, really do not give
them the credit that they really deserve. You know, even
though you know they only might play five minutes a
(03:57):
game or ten minutes a game, depending on the situation
in the offense or the team you're with or whatever.
But the thing is that one time or that twice
in a game they are out there, they make a
big important turnaround or a difference in the game, you know,
by by you know, putting the ball in a certain
(04:17):
position or changing the field position and all this. So
it is a very critical part of the team itself.
And you know, looking back all those years at all
the positions that are feeled, but that one little spot
right there, punter was voided. And of course it's full now.
(04:38):
So now you're saying, we have a complete Hall of
Fame team. If you want to look at it. But
you know, the guys I play with all my life
and from high school and college and especially the pros,
and you know, they understood. They understand, and that's what
makes it a little bit more important, even though you know,
(04:59):
some people may say, well, that's not very important part
of the game, but it is a part. But as
long as your peers and when I'm saying, Piers, your
teammates and the guys you played against, they understand that.
And that's what makes it so unique and so gratifying
to me, is that they know that, they've always known that,
and it makes me feel good.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Let me make an observation here, Ray, and if you
think I'm wrong about it, please feel free to correct me.
But one of the things that I think is underappreciated
about both placekickers and punters as well, is that the
guys that play regular positions on a football team offensively
and defensively, they can get into the flow of a game.
But as you pointed out, you may only get in
the game a couple of times, and you've got to
(05:42):
be there and automatically contribute and get into that flow
from stop to start. And I don't think people appreciate
or understand how hard that might be, that you have
to keep yourself engaged in the game mentally, emotionally.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
And physically.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
And I think that that's one of the contributing factors
that make kickers and punters as important as any other position.
Am I correct in that observation?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Yes, yes, you are correct in that run. And I
tell you, you know, I think one of the things
that I wouldn't said. I wouldn't say that it set
me aside from a lot of the other kickers and
opponents and all this, but being from an offensive side
of the ball, you know, part of my life, and
then being from a defensive part of my life, you know,
(06:25):
with Southern myths out here all those years I was
playing out here. What made me easy with me is
when I went to the Raiders and became strictly a
punter and a kickoff man for five years, is that
I wasn't just a punter or a kickoff the eye.
I was more. I was a part of the team.
(06:46):
And the reason then is I would study films during
the week of opposing returns because I wanted to know
exactly what their tendencies were in certain situations, just like
an offense or defense study their opponents and their tendercas
you know. But I was a part of it. I
got involved in it, and I got involved in practice
(07:07):
because I wanted to be very mental, mentally, mentally ready
each Sunday when that game started, because I wanted to
know what was going on, what will I need to
do here or what will I need to do there.
I was mentally prepared. So when I did walk down
that field, I wasn't nothing come up that was shocking
to me. I already understood it. I was into the
(07:29):
game and not just standing on the sideline waiting for
my turn. I was really pulling for the guys over
the field, you know, pushing forward to you know, to
do great things and all that. But when it came time,
I was mentally prepared. And that's what you have to be.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Great guy, Hall of Fame punter going into the Hall
of Fame and deservedly so with us. And I might
point out he never had a punt return for a touchdown.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Did you expect to get drafted by the Raiders?
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Ray, No, I did not believe it or not. You know,
when that time came in, it was at that time
I didn't even really run. I didn't even really think
about it, even starting at my younger age growing up,
of becoming a professional athlete or anything like that. I
was just going through the times in the seasons, you know,
(08:15):
of different sports playing I'm getting involved in it. I
was just a kid having fun. And then you know,
when I was a senior of my last game with
Southern is that I started thinking a little bit about it.
You know, maybe you know, getting drafted and all that,
But the deal is, I was thinking, maybe, you know,
filth to sixth rounds, which will feel good round for oppunter,
(08:37):
you know, but I was never expecting number one and
twenty third pick, and especially by the Raider. So that
was another gratifying step in my career.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
What did you know about the Oakland Raiders before you
got drafted?
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Not very much. The reason being is is that, you know,
growing up in South Georgia and Mississippi, you know, we
didn't have all the channels they have now run and
so you didn't really get a lot of you know,
different games on Sunday like you do now. You were
pretty limited to you know, to TV stations and you know,
the local local areas only carriage certain games, so occasionally
(09:15):
I had I had seen them on TV, but not
really paid attention to it. Uh you know who they
were or whatever. Uh, But uh I did. I did
after after Coach madd and I got off the phone. Uh.
Right after I got drafted. I turned to the s
I d at Southern at ah Clayton. I said, Ace,
(09:36):
who is the Open Raiders? And I said, where are they?
Of course he explained it to me. But I'll tell
you what when that that first day at that training
camp when it started in Santa Rosa. Uh, I'm being
out down the practice field, you know, morning and afternoon
with the guys. That after that night, Uh, I felt
(09:57):
like I had been there basically all my law. So
the fit was meant to be. You might want to say,
for me to come from Mississippi and go to California
and join a bunch of unique guys like I was
playing with. So I got. I mean, I wasn't nervous
after that. I was more worried about what the players
(10:19):
would think of all, you know, drafting, you know, a
punter number one. But I found out real quick those
guys are just liked me. They come from the same background.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Ray Guy is with us in the operative word, and
what he just said is unique, guys, and we'll talk
about his career with the Raiders as we continue on.
We'll also talk about his impressions the first time he
met Al Davis. We do that as we continue with
more of you and Sports Byline. You're listening to Ron
Barr's Sports Byline USA podcast.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Ray Guy has joined us on Sports Byline now.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Hall of Fame punter punted in the NFL for fourteen years,
all of those in a Raiders uniform, and of course,
if you take a look at his numbers, he had
five punts over sixty yards during the nineteen eighty one season.
He had a streak of six hundred and nineteen consecutive
punts before having one block. Ray, had you ever been
to the West Coast before, because I mean, you're a
Southern boy. You grew up down there in Mississippi and
(11:16):
everything was a culture shock for you when you came
to the West coast.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Well, yeah, technically I had only been to California one time,
and that's when Southern miss we played San Diego State
out in San Diego. So that was the you know,
the first time I've been to California, but you know,
going like you're saying, coming from a you know, Mississippi
and the country and all that, you used to what
(11:41):
I call the open range, you might want to say.
And then I get out there to open in the
big city, you know, the tall buildings and the hustle
bustle of the Mimic Freeway in San Francisco and all that.
It was pretty much a culture shock. But I kind
of blend in with it more or less. I wasn't
really an outgoing person as far as you know, going
(12:04):
out every night and all that. I pretty much hung
around home and you know, you know, just resting and
all that. But we went out at least once a
week every week, the players did, and we had what
to call the guys Night out kind of. It was
usually on Thursday night, and that was after the you know,
the long days and all that. So but yeah, it
(12:27):
was a colture shot to me. And every year when
he was over, I get my little fanny back to
Mississippi where I had some wide open spaces.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Yeah, they went out on Thursday night, got back on
Saturday or just in time for the game on Sunday.
I would assume knowing the legend of training camp and
that team. I mean, I think about the guys. I mean,
the Kenny Stablers that were on there, the Ted Hendricks
that were on there, John Madden even who was one
of the youngest coaches ever in the National Football League.
He was just over thirty two years old. You take
(12:57):
a look at that, and what did you think about
that collection of players on the Oakland Raiders that were
your teammates.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Well, I mean that was basically you know, the lifestyle
that I led growing up as a youngster in Georgia
and then you know, being in Southern miss is that,
Like I said, we were pretty much had the same background.
Is that we came from you know, of course we
came from different locations. You know, some of them came
from the East Coast like Pttle Piano and you know
(13:24):
Fred Blitnikoff and all that. But but basically, they really
was not a big environment where I had to make myself,
you know, blend in. We just blended in right together
because you know, they were all a bunch of guys.
They played hard, we practiced hard, and uh we parted
(13:44):
hard too. Run if you don't know the truth. So
but I was used to that, you know what I'm saying.
So as I got there, I didn't have to change anything.
I just you know, kept being myself because that's the
way they were.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Tell me about the first time you met Al Davis.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Was great. I met Al the first time actually in Chicago.
Uh no, I did not take that back. I take
it back. I had been the training camp. You know,
they used to have that college All Star game in Chicago.
But I had met Alan at training camp in Santa Rosa,
and I was very impressed with him. I was very
impressed with him. He's a He's really a very down
(14:23):
to earth guy, a very carrying guy. Of course, he
loves the Raiders. He loves that black and silver, and
he loved his players. And uh, I found out that
he was a type of owner that he would ask
you your opinion about something. Now, of course that didn't
mean that he would you know, accept it, but he
at least asked you and then you talked about it.
(14:45):
Things like that. But uh, he was very caring. And
now I'm in I couldn't ask for a better owner.
And uh, that's one thing that's gonna be, you know,
something borid and come August second up, there's als not here.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
You were a key member of three Oakland Raiders super
Bowl winning teams, and those were in both Super Bowls eleven, fifteen,
and eighteen, and all of them were discernibly different when
you look back on them. What do you remember about
each one of those super Bowl victims.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Well, the first one against Minnesota, I got my first
butt block, and I mean that's always gonna stand out
in my mind. But course things like that happened, and
of course, you know, you really don't want to happen
any game, but if you're going to happen to happen,
let it happen during the regular season, not in the
super Bowl. But the first one was was very exciting.
(15:36):
You know. That's what you that's what you plan for,
that's what you practiced for, that's what you sweat, you believe,
you cry, you know, to get to the super Bowl.
And you know, fortunately I had been in two playoff game,
state playoff games in high school, so but I knew
the complexity of it, you know how important it was
(15:57):
because there's nothing else until the following year. So we, uh,
we just treated like another game run and all of
them really and uh, but the Philadelphia and the Redskins. Uh,
you know, I think on our right thing you might
know this too, But each one of those games, Minnesota
and Philadelphia and the Redskins, you know, we had played
(16:20):
them during the rector of season, and each one of
them beat us, but it was always a close game.
But we get to the Super Bowl and then we
kind of we kind of handle them pretty good there,
so you know, anything can happen, so that that made
things a lot better. But I guess the other one
would have to beat the Redskins, and you know that
(16:41):
that big jump I made to you know, catch snare
that ball to come down and still punt it. But
you know that's part of the game. That's what you
trained for, and you know when things like that occur,
you just do the best you can and make things
happen to turn out the best.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
I'm gonna go on memory here, and I'm not sure
it's accurate, so if I miss anything here, feel free
to correct me on it. But on the Super Bowl
fifteen victory, during the course of that season, you had
to play the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, and what I
remember about that day is I did not fall out
until we got on the charter and got over Denver
on the way.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Boll I did. That was Ah, that was a very
very cold game that day, as you remember, you know,
and uh, but you know, yeah, it was I think
the wind chield was like twenty eight below, you know,
something like that. But when you were when you involved
in a game like that, especially with the team that
you know Cleveland had then they were they were very
(17:39):
talented and they had won some very close games. I
think they started calling them to partiat kids, right or
something like that. I can't remember that, but you know, uh,
the field was frozen. Uh it was cold to the devil.
And I know we came out on pregame warm up
and I had my regular cleets home, but I had
(18:00):
sought cleats on and I remember that first snap and
I took it to plant and my foot never went
in the ground. It kind of slid on me. So
I had Bobby Romasku to run in there and get
my AstroTurf shoes which had rubber tilt cleats on him
that was flexible, and I used him during the game.
And then the other thing is is that uh, after
(18:22):
we went back in and you know, got ready to
come back out and start the game. I I told
Steve Ordemeyer, who's the special team coach, and and then
the cover team. I said, here's what we're gonna do.
I said, it's frozen. I can't really get a lot
of footing on the uh on the ground, and I
(18:43):
never will get any compression off my foot with the ball.
So what we're gonna do. We're gonna We're gonna kick
it directional, which in terms of what I was gonna
do is make the return of work for it. Now,
he was probably in a more awkward situation than me
because if he didn't know which way I was going
with it, so he's got to, you know, run from
(19:03):
the center of the field all the way to the sidelines.
And you know, it worked out great. I think I
averaged about forty yards that day, but they didn't. I
don't think they had any returns though, But that was
one of the adjustments I made, So I sacrificed a
lot of yards just to just to you know, keep
the returns down and help my cover team out.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
We only have a couple of minutes left.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Ray.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
But when you think back on your storied career and
now you're in the Hall of Fame. Is there a
particular moment over those fourteen years in professional football that
that you really appreciate as someone who played the game
at a Hall of Fame level?
Speaker 3 (19:38):
Now, na, I tell you I I've had that question
asked a lot of times, you know, and I would
have to say, Ron, it was my whole fourteen year
career with the Open Raiders. And you know, you always
hear that phrase, you know, once the raider, always the Raider,
And I know that's true. And because you once you
(19:59):
put on that filver black, You're always going to be
a part of that organization and that fraternity of brotherhood.
And my going into the Hall of Fame, you know,
we we've got something in there already. So I'll be
joining part of my teammates, and hopefully down the road,
I'll be joining a lot more of them, but you
know the ones that there. You know. Now now we're
(20:20):
together again permanently, and we're just going to bask in
the sun and enjoy of the moment.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
The one thing I'll tell you I remember about Super
Bowl fifteen is it was down in New Orleans and
I went out with John Matusac after curfew and we
came back in about two to two thirty. Yeah, two
two thirty in the morning, and coming down those stairwebs
at the at that hotel, the team hotel comes Tom
Floores and he runs into us and it was after curfew.
And Tom says to both of us. He says to
(20:48):
Johnny said, John, you're out after the curfew?
Speaker 2 (20:50):
Why were you out? And John looked at me.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
He says, Ron couldn't sleep and we needed a warm
glass of milk.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
That faunds not like John, that founds like him. I
think we had a lot of them out, asked the curfew.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
You're right about that. Ray.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
I want to thank you, but for me personally, who
covered your entire career with the Oakland Raiders, I want
to say thank you and congratulations.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
You're welcome here.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Anytime, my friend, and let's stay in touch and and
I'll see you in Canton, Ohio.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
All right, buddy, and you kill everybody out there, said.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
You got it, Ray guy with us Hall of Fame
punter again punted in the NFL for.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Fourteen years, all of those with the Raiders.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
He was the first pure punter ever to be selected
in the first round of the NFL Draft. He's the
first pure punter to be elected to the Hall of
Fame and the second kicker overall. We continue with more
of you and America's sports talk show. You have been
listening to Ron Bars Sports Byline USA podcast on the
eight Side Network
Hi, I'm Ron Barr, and this is today's edition of
Ron Barr's Sports Byline USA podcast on the eight Side Network.
Great Guy joins us on Sports Byline. I can now
say Hall of Fame punter. He punted in the NFL
for fourteen years, all of those in a Raiders uniform,
and he was the first pure punter ever selected in
the first round of the NFL Draft when the Oakland
(00:21):
Raiders selected him back in nineteen seventy three, number twenty
three overall.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
He also is the second kicker.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
In the Hall of Fame, as John Stenerud was the first,
but Ray is the first pure punter to make it. Ray,
I know you've been waiting for this honor for a
long time. So when it finally did come, what type
of reaction did you feel internally?
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Well, it took me one or two times. I asked
him to make the more they sure that I had
received that vote, and he kept telling me yes, I mean,
I was run. I was a lady. I mean really,
I mean it's really tough to really put it in
words how you feel within your innerself and your mind
and all that, but I mean I was, I was relieved,
(01:03):
and I think I just made a mental note in
my head that you know, is finally over. The waiting
is over. I don't have to really sit and you know,
stress myself out or anything like that every time I
come up for on the ballot and all that. So,
I mean, it's a tremendous honor, especially going in this
(01:23):
year to twenty fourteen with the group that we've got
going in. But yeah, but just now being amongst all
those legends from many, many, many years ago, and you know,
knowing their accomplishments, and you know, and that they've been
sitting there for ages, because that's that's the way it's
going to be now. We're we're a member of all
(01:43):
ages now from now on. And and that's a that's
a great seating to me.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
You know, when you think about the guys that are
in the Hall of Fame, they were not only outstanding players,
but I've always felt that they were unique individuals as well.
And I know you've been to the Hall of Fame before,
and when you think of you being in that Hall
of Fame with the group of players that are in
there collectively, what is it that it means so much
to the player?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Well, to me, to me being just being up to
having my bus, you know, sit alongside of all those
great legends, like I said many years ago, and you know,
just knowing, you know, knowing some of them, you know basically,
and and their accomplishments through their careers, and you know
what they went through. And but you know, the thing
(02:30):
is all of us have got the same unique character
you might want. It was a passion for us. There
was a love, It was an honor just to be
on the on the field of battle and combat, you know,
during the games and all that against your fellow peers,
and and just having fun basically is what it is.
And now that I'm there, I mean I can have
(02:53):
fun with them now, you know, knowing that I didn't
play with them, but I know what they go through
and how they the game and negated the best they could.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Ray. You bring up a very interesting point.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Your peers certainly understand what you and other kickers have
given to the game and also given to a particular team.
But those that vote the players into the Hall of
Fame and the coaches as well, they're members of the media,
and while they cover football, they may not have an
appreciation for the art form of any particular position.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Do you think it's unfair really.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
For people to look upon a kicker or a punter
and not appreciate their contribution to the game or to
a particular team.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Well, I think it's a let down to all athletes
if they're oppuners and things of this nature. You know,
knowing that you know, the voters and all that are
a lot of people, you know, really do not give
them the credit that they really deserve. You know, even
though you know they only might play five minutes a
(03:57):
game or ten minutes a game, depending on the situation
in the offense or the team you're with or whatever.
But the thing is that one time or that twice
in a game they are out there, they make a
big important turnaround or a difference in the game, you know,
by by you know, putting the ball in a certain
(04:17):
position or changing the field position and all this. So
it is a very critical part of the team itself.
And you know, looking back all those years at all
the positions that are feeled, but that one little spot
right there, punter was voided. And of course it's full now.
(04:38):
So now you're saying, we have a complete Hall of
Fame team. If you want to look at it. But
you know, the guys I play with all my life
and from high school and college and especially the pros,
and you know, they understood. They understand, and that's what
makes it a little bit more important, even though you know,
(04:59):
some people may say, well, that's not very important part
of the game, but it is a part. But as
long as your peers and when I'm saying, Piers, your
teammates and the guys you played against, they understand that.
And that's what makes it so unique and so gratifying
to me, is that they know that, they've always known that,
and it makes me feel good.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Let me make an observation here, Ray, and if you
think I'm wrong about it, please feel free to correct me.
But one of the things that I think is underappreciated
about both placekickers and punters as well, is that the
guys that play regular positions on a football team offensively
and defensively, they can get into the flow of a game.
But as you pointed out, you may only get in
the game a couple of times, and you've got to
(05:42):
be there and automatically contribute and get into that flow
from stop to start. And I don't think people appreciate
or understand how hard that might be, that you have
to keep yourself engaged in the game mentally, emotionally.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
And physically.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
And I think that that's one of the contributing factors
that make kickers and punters as important as any other position.
Am I correct in that observation?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Yes, yes, you are correct in that run. And I
tell you, you know, I think one of the things
that I wouldn't said. I wouldn't say that it set
me aside from a lot of the other kickers and
opponents and all this, but being from an offensive side
of the ball, you know, part of my life, and
then being from a defensive part of my life, you know,
(06:25):
with Southern myths out here all those years I was
playing out here. What made me easy with me is
when I went to the Raiders and became strictly a
punter and a kickoff man for five years, is that
I wasn't just a punter or a kickoff the eye.
I was more. I was a part of the team.
(06:46):
And the reason then is I would study films during
the week of opposing returns because I wanted to know
exactly what their tendencies were in certain situations, just like
an offense or defense study their opponents and their tendercas
you know. But I was a part of it. I
got involved in it, and I got involved in practice
(07:07):
because I wanted to be very mental, mentally, mentally ready
each Sunday when that game started, because I wanted to
know what was going on, what will I need to
do here or what will I need to do there.
I was mentally prepared. So when I did walk down
that field, I wasn't nothing come up that was shocking
to me. I already understood it. I was into the
(07:29):
game and not just standing on the sideline waiting for
my turn. I was really pulling for the guys over
the field, you know, pushing forward to you know, to
do great things and all that. But when it came time,
I was mentally prepared. And that's what you have to be.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Great guy, Hall of Fame punter going into the Hall
of Fame and deservedly so with us. And I might
point out he never had a punt return for a touchdown.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Did you expect to get drafted by the Raiders?
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Ray, No, I did not believe it or not. You know,
when that time came in, it was at that time
I didn't even really run. I didn't even really think
about it, even starting at my younger age growing up,
of becoming a professional athlete or anything like that. I
was just going through the times in the seasons, you know,
(08:15):
of different sports playing I'm getting involved in it. I
was just a kid having fun. And then you know,
when I was a senior of my last game with
Southern is that I started thinking a little bit about it.
You know, maybe you know, getting drafted and all that,
But the deal is, I was thinking, maybe, you know,
filth to sixth rounds, which will feel good round for oppunter,
(08:37):
you know, but I was never expecting number one and
twenty third pick, and especially by the Raider. So that
was another gratifying step in my career.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
What did you know about the Oakland Raiders before you
got drafted?
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Not very much. The reason being is is that, you know,
growing up in South Georgia and Mississippi, you know, we
didn't have all the channels they have now run and
so you didn't really get a lot of you know,
different games on Sunday like you do now. You were
pretty limited to you know, to TV stations and you know,
the local local areas only carriage certain games, so occasionally
(09:15):
I had I had seen them on TV, but not
really paid attention to it. Uh you know who they
were or whatever. Uh, But uh I did. I did
after after Coach madd and I got off the phone. Uh.
Right after I got drafted. I turned to the s
I d at Southern at ah Clayton. I said, Ace,
(09:36):
who is the Open Raiders? And I said, where are they?
Of course he explained it to me. But I'll tell
you what when that that first day at that training
camp when it started in Santa Rosa. Uh, I'm being
out down the practice field, you know, morning and afternoon
with the guys. That after that night, Uh, I felt
(09:57):
like I had been there basically all my law. So
the fit was meant to be. You might want to say,
for me to come from Mississippi and go to California
and join a bunch of unique guys like I was
playing with. So I got. I mean, I wasn't nervous
after that. I was more worried about what the players
(10:19):
would think of all, you know, drafting, you know, a
punter number one. But I found out real quick those
guys are just liked me. They come from the same background.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Ray Guy is with us in the operative word, and
what he just said is unique, guys, and we'll talk
about his career with the Raiders as we continue on.
We'll also talk about his impressions the first time he
met Al Davis. We do that as we continue with
more of you and Sports Byline. You're listening to Ron
Barr's Sports Byline USA podcast.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Ray Guy has joined us on Sports Byline now.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
Hall of Fame punter punted in the NFL for fourteen years,
all of those in a Raiders uniform, and of course,
if you take a look at his numbers, he had
five punts over sixty yards during the nineteen eighty one season.
He had a streak of six hundred and nineteen consecutive
punts before having one block. Ray, had you ever been
to the West Coast before, because I mean, you're a
Southern boy. You grew up down there in Mississippi and
(11:16):
everything was a culture shock for you when you came
to the West coast.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Well, yeah, technically I had only been to California one time,
and that's when Southern miss we played San Diego State
out in San Diego. So that was the you know,
the first time I've been to California, but you know,
going like you're saying, coming from a you know, Mississippi
and the country and all that, you used to what
(11:41):
I call the open range, you might want to say.
And then I get out there to open in the
big city, you know, the tall buildings and the hustle
bustle of the Mimic Freeway in San Francisco and all that.
It was pretty much a culture shock. But I kind
of blend in with it more or less. I wasn't
really an outgoing person as far as you know, going
(12:04):
out every night and all that. I pretty much hung
around home and you know, you know, just resting and
all that. But we went out at least once a
week every week, the players did, and we had what
to call the guys Night out kind of. It was
usually on Thursday night, and that was after the you know,
the long days and all that. So but yeah, it
(12:27):
was a colture shot to me. And every year when
he was over, I get my little fanny back to
Mississippi where I had some wide open spaces.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Yeah, they went out on Thursday night, got back on
Saturday or just in time for the game on Sunday.
I would assume knowing the legend of training camp and
that team. I mean, I think about the guys. I mean,
the Kenny Stablers that were on there, the Ted Hendricks
that were on there, John Madden even who was one
of the youngest coaches ever in the National Football League.
He was just over thirty two years old. You take
(12:57):
a look at that, and what did you think about
that collection of players on the Oakland Raiders that were
your teammates.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Well, I mean that was basically you know, the lifestyle
that I led growing up as a youngster in Georgia
and then you know, being in Southern miss is that,
Like I said, we were pretty much had the same background.
Is that we came from you know, of course we
came from different locations. You know, some of them came
from the East Coast like Pttle Piano and you know
(13:24):
Fred Blitnikoff and all that. But but basically, they really
was not a big environment where I had to make myself,
you know, blend in. We just blended in right together
because you know, they were all a bunch of guys.
They played hard, we practiced hard, and uh we parted
(13:44):
hard too. Run if you don't know the truth. So
but I was used to that, you know what I'm saying.
So as I got there, I didn't have to change anything.
I just you know, kept being myself because that's the
way they were.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Tell me about the first time you met Al Davis.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Was great. I met Al the first time actually in Chicago.
Uh no, I did not take that back. I take
it back. I had been the training camp. You know,
they used to have that college All Star game in Chicago.
But I had met Alan at training camp in Santa Rosa,
and I was very impressed with him. I was very
impressed with him. He's a He's really a very down
(14:23):
to earth guy, a very carrying guy. Of course, he
loves the Raiders. He loves that black and silver, and
he loved his players. And uh, I found out that
he was a type of owner that he would ask
you your opinion about something. Now, of course that didn't
mean that he would you know, accept it, but he
at least asked you and then you talked about it.
(14:45):
Things like that. But uh, he was very caring. And
now I'm in I couldn't ask for a better owner.
And uh, that's one thing that's gonna be, you know,
something borid and come August second up, there's als not here.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
You were a key member of three Oakland Raiders super
Bowl winning teams, and those were in both Super Bowls eleven, fifteen,
and eighteen, and all of them were discernibly different when
you look back on them. What do you remember about
each one of those super Bowl victims.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Well, the first one against Minnesota, I got my first
butt block, and I mean that's always gonna stand out
in my mind. But course things like that happened, and
of course, you know, you really don't want to happen
any game, but if you're going to happen to happen,
let it happen during the regular season, not in the
super Bowl. But the first one was was very exciting.
(15:36):
You know. That's what you that's what you plan for,
that's what you practiced for, that's what you sweat, you believe,
you cry, you know, to get to the super Bowl.
And you know, fortunately I had been in two playoff game,
state playoff games in high school, so but I knew
the complexity of it, you know how important it was
(15:57):
because there's nothing else until the following year. So we, uh,
we just treated like another game run and all of
them really and uh, but the Philadelphia and the Redskins. Uh,
you know, I think on our right thing you might
know this too, But each one of those games, Minnesota
and Philadelphia and the Redskins, you know, we had played
(16:20):
them during the rector of season, and each one of
them beat us, but it was always a close game.
But we get to the Super Bowl and then we
kind of we kind of handle them pretty good there,
so you know, anything can happen, so that that made
things a lot better. But I guess the other one
would have to beat the Redskins, and you know that
(16:41):
that big jump I made to you know, catch snare
that ball to come down and still punt it. But
you know that's part of the game. That's what you
trained for, and you know when things like that occur,
you just do the best you can and make things
happen to turn out the best.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
I'm gonna go on memory here, and I'm not sure
it's accurate, so if I miss anything here, feel free
to correct me on it. But on the Super Bowl
fifteen victory, during the course of that season, you had
to play the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, and what I
remember about that day is I did not fall out
until we got on the charter and got over Denver
on the way.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Boll I did. That was Ah, that was a very
very cold game that day, as you remember, you know,
and uh, but you know, yeah, it was I think
the wind chield was like twenty eight below, you know,
something like that. But when you were when you involved
in a game like that, especially with the team that
you know Cleveland had then they were they were very
(17:39):
talented and they had won some very close games. I
think they started calling them to partiat kids, right or
something like that. I can't remember that, but you know, uh,
the field was frozen. Uh it was cold to the devil.
And I know we came out on pregame warm up
and I had my regular cleets home, but I had
(18:00):
sought cleats on and I remember that first snap and
I took it to plant and my foot never went
in the ground. It kind of slid on me. So
I had Bobby Romasku to run in there and get
my AstroTurf shoes which had rubber tilt cleats on him
that was flexible, and I used him during the game.
And then the other thing is is that uh, after
(18:22):
we went back in and you know, got ready to
come back out and start the game. I I told
Steve Ordemeyer, who's the special team coach, and and then
the cover team. I said, here's what we're gonna do.
I said, it's frozen. I can't really get a lot
of footing on the uh on the ground, and I
(18:43):
never will get any compression off my foot with the ball.
So what we're gonna do. We're gonna We're gonna kick
it directional, which in terms of what I was gonna
do is make the return of work for it. Now,
he was probably in a more awkward situation than me
because if he didn't know which way I was going
with it, so he's got to, you know, run from
(19:03):
the center of the field all the way to the sidelines.
And you know, it worked out great. I think I
averaged about forty yards that day, but they didn't. I
don't think they had any returns though, But that was
one of the adjustments I made, So I sacrificed a
lot of yards just to just to you know, keep
the returns down and help my cover team out.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
We only have a couple of minutes left.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Ray.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
But when you think back on your storied career and
now you're in the Hall of Fame. Is there a
particular moment over those fourteen years in professional football that
that you really appreciate as someone who played the game
at a Hall of Fame level?
Speaker 3 (19:38):
Now, na, I tell you I I've had that question
asked a lot of times, you know, and I would
have to say, Ron, it was my whole fourteen year
career with the Open Raiders. And you know, you always
hear that phrase, you know, once the raider, always the Raider,
And I know that's true. And because you once you
(19:59):
put on that filver black, You're always going to be
a part of that organization and that fraternity of brotherhood.
And my going into the Hall of Fame, you know,
we we've got something in there already. So I'll be
joining part of my teammates, and hopefully down the road,
I'll be joining a lot more of them, but you
know the ones that there. You know. Now now we're
(20:20):
together again permanently, and we're just going to bask in
the sun and enjoy of the moment.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
The one thing I'll tell you I remember about Super
Bowl fifteen is it was down in New Orleans and
I went out with John Matusac after curfew and we
came back in about two to two thirty. Yeah, two
two thirty in the morning, and coming down those stairwebs
at the at that hotel, the team hotel comes Tom
Floores and he runs into us and it was after curfew.
And Tom says to both of us. He says to
(20:48):
Johnny said, John, you're out after the curfew?
Speaker 2 (20:50):
Why were you out? And John looked at me.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
He says, Ron couldn't sleep and we needed a warm
glass of milk.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
That faunds not like John, that founds like him. I
think we had a lot of them out, asked the curfew.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
You're right about that. Ray.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
I want to thank you, but for me personally, who
covered your entire career with the Oakland Raiders, I want
to say thank you and congratulations.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
You're welcome here.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Anytime, my friend, and let's stay in touch and and
I'll see you in Canton, Ohio.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
All right, buddy, and you kill everybody out there, said.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
You got it, Ray guy with us Hall of Fame
punter again punted in the NFL for.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Fourteen years, all of those with the Raiders.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
He was the first pure punter ever to be selected
in the first round of the NFL Draft. He's the
first pure punter to be elected to the Hall of
Fame and the second kicker overall. We continue with more
of you and America's sports talk show. You have been
listening to Ron Bars Sports Byline USA podcast on the
eight Side Network
Host
Ron Barr
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.