Ray Lucas facts for kids

Raymond J. Lucas, born on August 6, 1972, is a former professional football player. He played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Ray played college football at Rutgers University. He spent seven years in the NFL, playing for the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins from 1996 to 2002. After his playing career, he became a studio analyst for Jets Nation on SportsNet New York.

Early Life and High School Football

Ray Lucas was born in Harrison, New Jersey. His father, Tom, was serving in the Vietnam War at the time. Ray played football during his high school years at Harrison High School.

Playing in the NFL

Starting as a Backup Quarterback

Ray Lucas spent most of his NFL career as a backup quarterback. This means he was ready to play if the main quarterback got hurt or wasn't playing well.

In the 1999 NFL season, the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, Vinny Testaverde, got injured in the very first game. Another quarterback, Rick Mirer, took over and won four out of ten games. Ray Lucas then got his chance to play. He lost his first two games but then won the next four. This helped the Jets finish the season with an 8-8 record.

Ray Lucas was a favorite player of Bill Parcells, a famous coach. Parcells brought Lucas from the Patriots to the Jets. In 1997, Parcells even put Lucas in at quarterback while the second-string quarterback, Neil O'Donnell, lined up as a wide receiver. Lucas ran the ball himself for 15 yards, confusing the other team and helping the Jets win.

Ray Lucas threw his first NFL pass in 1997. He completed 3 out of 3 passes for 28 yards before throwing an interception. He even got a penalty for tackling the player who caught his interception!

Time with the Miami Dolphins

After playing for the Jets, Ray Lucas joined the Miami Dolphins for the 2001 and 2002 seasons. In 2001, he didn't play much, only attempting three passes. However, in 2002, he got to start six games. Because of his strong build, he was often chosen to play quarterback in important situations near the goal line.

The Dolphins started the 2002 season very well, with 5 wins and 1 loss. But then their starting quarterback, Jay Fiedler, broke his thumb. Ray Lucas was trusted to lead the team for the next six games. During these games, he threw 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

One game in 2002 against the Buffalo Bills was particularly tough for Lucas. He was responsible for 6 turnovers, meaning he lost the ball to the other team. This included 4 interceptions and 2 fumbles. The player who caught the most passes from Lucas in that game was actually a Buffalo player!

Life After Football

Honors and Writing

On March 28, 2008, Ray Lucas was honored by being named to the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2014, he co-wrote a book called Under Pressure: How Playing Football Almost Cost Me Everything and Why I'd Do It All Again.

Community Role

In March 2018, Ray Lucas was named the Executive Director of the Housing Authority in his hometown of Harrison, New Jersey. This was a special role for him because his father had held the same position for 27 years.

Broadcasting Career

For several years, Ray Lucas worked for SportsNet New York. He was an analyst for shows about the Jets, including pre-game and post-game discussions. He left this role in 2020.

In 2009, Lucas also joined the Rutgers Football Radio Network as a color analyst. This meant he helped explain the game during radio broadcasts. He stopped this role in 2021 because he decided to coach his home high school football team.