Ray Guy to receive Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s first fulltime punter Ray Guy will receive his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence, created by Kay® Jewelers, during the Oakland Raiders Week 12 battle against division rival Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Nov. 20 at O.CO Coliseum in Oakland. Guy is the last member of the Hall’s Class of 2014 to receive his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence. Hall of Fame President David Baker and Hall of Fame coach John Madden will participate in presenting Guy with the Ring of Excellence during a special halftime ceremony of Thursday night’s nationally televised game.

The Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence is one of three iconic symbols that represent the elite status of being a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Guy received his Hall of Fame Gold Jacket on the eve of his enshrinement in Canton, and unveiled his Bronzed Bust during the Enshrinement Ceremony. All three symbols will be displayed during the ring presentation on Thursday night. He will wear his Hall of Fame Gold Jacket and his Bronzed Bust will be temporarily removed from the Hall of Fame and shipped to Oakland for the Ring of Excellence ceremony. Joining Guy on the field will be more than a dozen Hall of Famers including Madden who served as his presenter at last August’s Enshrinement Ceremony.

"We are thrilled to be the Official Jewelry Store of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and honored to provide Ray with his Ring of Excellence," said Ed Hrabak, President, Kay® Jewelers. "Ray’s Ring of Excellence reflects the incredible achievement of enshrinement while also celebrating his unique career. The ring features intricate detail and state-of-the-art craftsmanship, from the ‘stadium effect’ created by the outer diamonds to completely customized sides featuring his name, years in the league, position and even an engraving of his Hall of Fame bust."

Guy was enshrined into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 2 along with Derrick Brooks, Claude Humphrey, Walter Jones, Andre Reed, Michael Strahan and Aeneas Williams. Guy is the 14th longtime member of the Raiders franchise to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He was selected in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Raiders. Over the next 14 seasons, all with the Raiders, he revolutionized the punting position. He posted a staggering 42.4 yards per punt career average. Guy averaged 40 yards per punt in all but one season during his career. In the 11 seasons in which the stat was recorded, he placed 209 punts “inside the 20” including 77 of those pinpoint punts occurring in his final three seasons. A six-time All-Pro, he was voted to seven Pro Bowls and named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s and the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Guy concluded his Enshrinement speech in Canton last summer with these words,

“But now the roar of the crowd has faded, and as I said, there are no more games to play, no more records to set or break, and there are no more championships to win. But one thing reminds me, the memories, and they will always be forever. It's awesome to be considered one of the game's best and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. To know my legacy will forever be a part of pro football history and that my bust will be alongside the greatest athletes of all times. It leaves this old punter speechless.

FACT SHEET: Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence by Kay® Jewelers

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