Ray Perkins facts for kids
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Perkins posing with the Colts in 1970
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 6, 1941 Petal, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | December 9, 2020 (aged 79) Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1964–1966 | Alabama |
| 1967–1971 | Baltimore Colts |
| Position(s) | Wide receiver |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1973 | Mississippi State (assistant) |
| 1974–1977 | New England Patriots (WR) |
| 1978 | San Diego Chargers (OC) |
| 1979–1982 | New York Giants |
| 1983–1986 | Alabama |
| 1987–1990 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 1992 | Arkansas State |
| 1993–1996 | New England Patriots (OC) |
| 1997 | Oakland Raiders (OC) |
| 1999 | Cleveland Browns (TE) |
| 2000 | Cleveland Browns (RB) |
| 2012–2013 | Jones County JC |
| 2014–2017 | Oak Grove HS (MS) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 34–24–1 (college) |
| Bowls | 3–0 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (1990) | |
Walter Ray Perkins (born November 6, 1941 – died December 9, 2020) was a famous American football player and coach. He played as a wide receiver for the University of Alabama and the Baltimore Colts. After his playing career, he became a football coach for 28 years. He led teams like the New York Giants, the University of Alabama, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Arkansas State University as their head coach.
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Ray Perkins' Early Life and College Football Career
Ray Perkins was born in Petal, Mississippi. He went to the University of Alabama and played football there from 1964 to 1966. He played for legendary coach Bear Bryant. Ray was teammates with future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Namath and Ken Stabler.
During his time at Alabama, the team won national championships in 1964 and 1965. They also won Southeastern Conference championships in 1964, 1965, and 1966. In his final year, 1966, he was chosen as the team captain. He was also named an All-American that year, which means he was one of the best players in the country.
Here are his college stats:
- 1964: 11 catches for 139 yards and 1 touchdown.
- 1965: 19 catches for 279 yards and 1 touchdown.
- 1966: 33 catches for 490 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Ray Perkins' NFL Playing Career
After college, Ray Perkins played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts. He was a wide receiver from 1967 to 1971. His first coach there was Don Shula.
A big moment in his career happened in the 1970 AFC Championship Game. Ray caught a 68-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Johnny Unitas. This play helped the Colts win 27–17 against the Oakland Raiders. This win sent the Colts to Super Bowl V. Ray Perkins and the Colts then won Super Bowl V by beating the Dallas Cowboys, earning him a Super Bowl ring!
Ray Perkins' Coaching Journey
Ray Perkins started his coaching career in the NFL as an assistant. He worked for the New England Patriots (1974–1977) and the San Diego Chargers (1978).
Leading the New York Giants
In 1979, Ray Perkins became the head coach of the New York Giants. He coached them until 1982. Even though his team only had one winning season, he helped build a strong foundation. The team he put together later won two Super Bowls in 1986 and 1990 under his successor, Bill Parcells.
Perkins hired future famous NFL head coaches like Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, and Romeo Crennel when they were just starting out. He also coached future NFL Most Valuable Player and Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Another player he coached was Phil Simms, who later became a Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Coaching at the University of Alabama
After the legendary coach Bear Bryant retired in 1982, Ray Perkins took on the challenging job of coaching his old college team, the University of Alabama. He coached the Crimson Tide for four years, from 1983 to 1986. His record there was 32 wins, 15 losses, and 1 tie.
In 1984, the team had a 5–6 record, which was their first losing season since 1957. Even though he won three bowl games, fans expected more from Alabama football. Because of pressure from fans and alumni, Perkins decided to accept a good job offer from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 1986 season.
Coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Beyond
Ray Perkins became the head coach and general manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1987 to 1990. Some of his former college players, like quarterback Mike Shula, even got to play for him again in the NFL. His total NFL coaching record was 42 wins and 75 losses. He never won more than five games in Tampa Bay. He was fired during the 1990 season.
After his time with the Buccaneers, Perkins returned to college coaching at Arkansas State University in 1992. After just one year, he went back to the NFL as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. He worked under Bill Parcells again from 1993 to 1996. He also spent 1997 as an offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders.
Later in his career, on December 20, 2011, he became the head football coach at Jones County Junior College (JCJC) in Ellisville, Mississippi. He resigned from JCJC on December 24, 2013. In 2014, he took on a volunteer coaching role at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Ray Perkins' Death
Ray Perkins passed away at his home on December 9, 2020. He was 79 years old.
Honors and Awards
Ray Perkins received many honors throughout his life:
- SEC Player of the Year, 1966
- First-Team All-American (Split end), 1966
- Inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 1990
- Inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 1998
- Elected to the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame in 2005
Images for kids
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Perkins posing with the Colts in 1970
