Shane Ray
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Shane Ray
| image = 2025, 05, Shane Ray.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Ray with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025
| current_team = Saskatchewan Roughriders
| number = 5
| position = Defensive lineman
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|5|18|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 245
| high_school = Bishop Miege
(Roeland Park, Kansas)
| college = Missouri (2011–2014)
| draftyear = 2015
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 23
| pastteams =
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|2021}}–{{CFL Year|2022}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Saskatchewan Roughriders ({{CFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| cflstatus = American
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (50)
- Grey Cup champion (2022)
- Unanimous All-American (2014)
- SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
- First-team All-SEC (2014)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 94
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 14.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 =
| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| cfl = shane-ray/165957/
| pfr = RayxSh00
}}
Shane Michael Ray (born May 18, 1993) is an American professional football defensive lineman for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). 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
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).{{Cite web |title=Baker Relays 2010 - Complete Results (Raw) |url=https://ks.milesplit.com/meets/70715-baker-relays-2010/results/117981/raw |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Kansas Milesplit |language=en}}
Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated as the 17th best weakside defensive end prospect of his class.{{Cite web |title=Shane Ray, 2011 Weakside Defensive End, Missouri |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/shane-ray-17148 |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}} After being shown interest by programs such as Notre Dame, Kansas and Wisconsin, he ultimately decided to accept a scholarship to Missouri.{{cite web|url=http://missouri.scout.com/story/951791-shane-ray-commits-to-tigers|title=Shane Ray Commits To Tigers|date=March 6, 2010|work=Scout.com}}
College career
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).{{cite web | last=Kreinberg | first=Jake | title=Shane Ray starring at defensive end for Missouri | website=The Washington Times | date=2014-09-18 | url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/18/shane-ray-starring-at-defensive-end-for-missouri/ | access-date=2025-03-23}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/missouri-s-shane-ray-ejected-from-sec-title-game-for-targeting-0ap3000000439361|title=Missouri's Shane Ray ejected from SEC title game for targeting|work=NFL.com}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.columbiamissourian.com/a/182966/missouri-footballs-shane-ray-named-consensus-all-american/|title=Missouri football's Shane Ray named consensus All-American|author=Missourian staff|date=December 18, 2014|work=Columbia Missourian}}{{cite web|url=http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/12/08/mizzous-shane-ray-named-sec-defender-of-year/|title=Mizzou's Shane Ray Named SEC Defender Of Year « CBS St. Louis}}
After his junior season, Ray entered the 2015 NFL draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article5559756.html|title=Missouri's Shane Ray officially declares for NFL Draft|work=kansascity}}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2+5/8
| weight = 245
| 40-yd-dash =
| bench = 21
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33 1/8
| hand span = 9
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2373479-shane-ray-2015-nfl-combine-results-highlights-and-twitter-reaction|title=Shane Ray: 2015 NFL Combine Results, Highlights and Twitter Reaction|author=Tyler Conway|work=Bleacher Report}}
}}
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/04/27/nfl-draft-prospect-shane-ray-reportedly-busted-for-marijuana/ |title=NFL draft prospect Shane Ray reportedly busted for marijuana |first=Des|last=Bieler|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2015/story/_/id/12777400/shane-ray-former-missouri-tigers-linebacker-cited-marijuana-possession |title=Top prospect Shane Ray cited for possession of marijuana |work=ESPN.com|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2015}}
=Denver Broncos=
File:Shane Ray.JPG in 2015.]]
Ray was a potential top ten draft pick until he was arrested for marijuana possession.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/mizzou-s-ray-cited-for-marijuana-possession/article_67c29548-5e04-5f40-8f6a-0d78bb98270a.html|title=Mizzou's Ray Cited for Marijuana Possession|website=St. Louis Today}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Palmer|first1=Tod|title=Ray drafted by Broncos in first round of 2015 NFL Draft.|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article19991469.html|website=KansasCity.com|publisher=The Kansas City Star|access-date=April 30, 2015}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201602070den.htm|title=Super Bowl 50 - Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers - February 7th, 2016|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=August 7, 2017}} Ray came off the bench and had two tackles and a forced fumble in the game.Reidy, Darren [https://web.archive.org/web/20160320190512/http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/broncos-shane-ray-on-super-bowl-50-and-the-tattoo-that-pissed-off-denver-20160318?page=2 Broncos' Shane Ray on Super Bowl 50 and the Tattoo That Pissed Off Denver] Rolling Stone. March 21, 2016
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.{{cite web|title=Shane Ray (wrist) out 6-8 weeks|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-linebacker-shane-ray-wrist-out-6-8-weeks-0ap3000000823067|publisher=NFL|access-date=July 28, 2017}} He was placed on injured reserve on September 4, 2017, making him eligible to return in 2017.{{cite web|title=Broncos place Shane Ray on injured reserve, make Osweiler signing official|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-place-shane-ray-on-injured-reserve-make-osweiler-signing-offici-19313258|author=Swanson, Ben|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=September 4, 2017}} He was activated off injured reserve on October 30 for the team's Week 8 matchup against the Chiefs.{{cite web|title=Broncos activate OLB Shane Ray from injured reserve|url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-activate-OLB-Shane-Ray-from-injured-reserve/270b9fc0-76be-4b84-8e63-662df9baafe1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508215015/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-activate-OLB-Shane-Ray-from-injured-reserve/270b9fc0-76be-4b84-8e63-662df9baafe1|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2018|author=Swanson, Ben|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=October 30, 2017}} He was placed back on injured reserve on December 19, 2017 after having his third wrist surgery.{{cite web|title=Broncos place OLB Shane Ray on injured reserve, sign Michael Hunter|url=http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-place-OLB-Shane-Ray-on-injured-reserve-sign-Michael-Hunter/5750912a-f455-4455-88e4-7d932103be31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427142339/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-place-OLB-Shane-Ray-on-injured-reserve-sign-Michael-Hunter/5750912a-f455-4455-88e4-7d932103be31|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 27, 2018|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=December 19, 2017}}
On May 2, 2018, the Broncos declined Ray's fifth-year option.{{cite web|title=Denver Broncos decline to pick up Shane Ray's option|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/denver-broncos-decline-to-pick-up-shane-ray-s-option-0ap3000000930987|author=Sessler, Marc|website=NFL.com|date=May 2, 2018}} On June 6, 2018, it was reported that Ray would require another wrist surgery that would sideline him for at least three months.{{cite web|title=Broncos' Shane Ray to undergo another wrist surgery|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000936144/article/broncos-lb-ray-needs-another-wrist-surgery-week-1-in-doubt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141823/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000936144/article/broncos-lb-ray-needs-another-wrist-surgery-week-1-in-doubt|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 12, 2018|author=Wesseling, Chris|website=NFL.com|date=June 6, 2018}}
=Baltimore Ravens=
On May 17, 2019, Ray signed with the Baltimore Ravens.{{cite web|title=Former Broncos Pass Rusher Shane Ray Joins Ravens|url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/reports-former-broncos-pass-rusher-shane-ray-to-join-ravens|author=Brown, Clifton|website=BaltimoreRavens.com|date=May 17, 2019}} He was released during final roster cuts on August 30, 2019.{{cite news |author=Brown, Clifton |title=Michael Floyd, Shane Ray Among Ravens' Friday Roster Cuts |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/michael-floyd-shane-ray-among-ravens-friday-roster-cuts |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |date=August 30, 2019 |access-date=August 30, 2019}}
=Toronto Argonauts=
On February 6, 2021, Ray signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.{{cite web|title=Argos sign former NFL first round pick Shane Ray + re-sign Woodson|url=https://www.argonauts.ca/2021/02/06/argos-sign-former-nfl-first-round-pick-shane-ray-re-sign-woodson/|website=argonauts.ca|date=February 6, 2021}} Over two seasons, he dressed for 18 games where he recorded 17 defensive tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles.{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/players/shane-ray/165957/ |title=Shane Ray |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=May 14, 2023}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://3downnation.com/2023/05/13/dl-shane-ray-signs-with-buffalo-bills-following-two-year-stint-with-toronto-argonauts/ |title=DL Shane Ray signs with Buffalo Bills following two-year stint with Toronto Argonauts |publisher=3DownNation |date=May 13, 2023}} He became a free agent upon the expiration of his contract on February 14, 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/transactions/2023/ |title=Transactions - Football Player Trades and Signings |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=May 14, 2023}}
=Buffalo Bills=
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.{{cite web|title=DE Shane Ray, out of NFL since 2019, signs with Bills|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37647296/de-shane-ray-nfl-2019-signs-bills|work=ESPN|date=May 14, 2023}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 21, 2023.{{cite web|title=Bills sign OT Garrett McGhin, RB Ty Johnson|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-sign-ot-garrett-mcghin-rb-ty-johnson|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=August 21, 2023}} He was released on August 26, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=2023-08-25 |title=NFL Transactions: Friday 8/25 |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/nfl-transactions-friday-8-25/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}
=Tennessee Titans=
On July 25, 2024, Ray signed with the Tennessee Titans.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=July 25, 2024 |title=Titans Agree to Terms with OL Corey Levin, OLB Shane Ray |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-agree-to-terms-with-ol-corey-levin-olb-shane-ray |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}} He was released on August 27.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Titans Trim Roster Ahead of NFL's Deadline |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-trim-roster-ahead-of-nfl-s-deadline-x2824 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}}
=Saskatchewan Roughriders=
On January 27, 2025, Ray signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, making his return to the CFL.{{Cite web |last=Postey |first=Drew |date=2025-01-27 |title=Riders sign Super Bowl, Grey Cup winning defensive lineman |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/regina/article/riders-sign-super-bowl-grey-cup-winning-defensive-lineman/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}
=NFL career statistics=
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="5"| Interceptions ! colspan="5"| 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 | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career || 49 || 15 || 94 || 64 || 30 || 14.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 18 || 1 |
Personal life
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".{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Jason |date=August 12, 2015 |title=Shane Ray Q&A: What Rookie Has Learned from His Mom, Pot Bust, Sam and Manning |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2541289-shane-ray-qa-what-rookie-has-learned-from-his-mom-pot-bust-sam-and-manning |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline}}
- [https://www.riderville.com/players/shane-ray/165957/ Saskatchewan Roughriders bio]
- [http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shane_ray_762681.html Missouri Tigers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331054915/http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/shane_ray_762681.html |date=March 31, 2015 }}
{{Saskatchewan Roughriders roster navbox}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Shane Ray—awards, championships, and honors
| list =
{{2014 NCAA Division I FBS College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Southeastern Conference Football Player of the Year navbox}}
{{2015 NFL Draft}}
{{BroncosFirstPick}}
{{Broncos2015DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl 50}}
{{109th Grey Cup}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ray, Shane}}
Category:Players of American football from Kansas City, Missouri
Category:Players of Canadian football from Kansas City, Missouri
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Bishop Miege High School alumni
Category:Missouri Tigers football players
Category:All-American college football players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:Baltimore Ravens players
Category:Canadian football defensive linemen
Category:Toronto Argonauts players
Category:Buffalo Bills players