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312. Mel Gray

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312. Mel Gray

Mel Gray began his career in the USFL for two seasons, and after that league folded, he joined the New Orleans Saints, who had chosen him earlier in a supplemental draft of USFL players.  Gray later joined the Detroit Lions, where he became a four-time Pro Bowl Selection and was regarded as one of the NFL’s best return specialists.  Gray would accumulate 13,003 Return Yards and was the league leader in that category in the first three seasons of the 1990s.  He would also be named a three-time First Team All-Pro.

Gray would be named a 1990s Second Team All-Decade Selection as both a Kick Returner and Punt Returner.

IMG 0929

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Wednesday, 01 January 2003
  • Position: Kick Returner, Punt Returner, Running Back, Wide Receiver
  • Games Played: 169
  • Notable Statistics: 2 Games Started
    252 Punt Returns
    2,753 Punt Return Yards
    3 Punt Return Touchdowns
    421 Kick Returns
    10,250 Kick Return Yards
    6 Kick Return Touchdowns
    19 Rushing Attempts
    99 Rushing Yards
    1 Rushing Touchdown
    13 Reception
    164 Receiving Yards
    13 Approximate Value

    5 Playoff Games
    8 Punt Returns
    78 Punt Return Yards
    16 Kick Returns
    388 Kick Return Yards
  • Played For: Detroit Lions, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans
  • College: Purdue
  • Drafted: 2nd Round, 42nd Overall in 1984 Supplemental Draft
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Rings (None)
    NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
    First Team All-Pro Selection (3) (1990, 1991 & 1994)
    Second Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1992)
    Pro Bowl Selection (4) (1990, 1991, 1992 & 1994)
    Most Kick Returns (1) (1992)
    Most Kick Return Yards (1) (1991)
    Most Yards per Kick Return (2) (1991 & 1995)
    Most Yards per Punt Return (2) (1987 & 1991)
    Most Returns (1) (1990)
    Most Return Yards (3) (1990, 1991 & 1992)
  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: All-Purpose Yards (1) (1991)
    Top Ten Finishes: Kick Returns (8) (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 & 1996)
    Top Ten Finishes: Kick Return Yards (9) (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 & 1996)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Kick Return (8) (1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 & 1996)
    Top Ten Finishes: Punt Returns (1) (1990)
    Top Ten Finishes: Punt Return Yards (3) (1987, 1990 & 1991)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Punt Return (6) (1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994 & 1995)
    Top Ten Finishes: Returns (8) (1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 & 1996)
    Top Ten Finishes: Return Yards (10) (1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 & 1996)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 4. Returns: 673
    4. Kick Return Yards: 10,250
    4. Return Yards: 13,003
    5. Kick Returns: 421
    16. Punt Return Yards: 2,753
    24. Punt Returns: 252
    34. Yards per Punt Return: 10.9
    74. All-Purpose Yards: 13,279
  • Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: None

Should Mel Gray be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 66.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 8.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 25%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
Last modified on Monday, 28 September 2026 17:00
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