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Thursday, August 11, 2011

#29 Marcus Ray "RAYS OF LIGHT, VOL 1 LET THERE BE LIGHT"

Every Michigan fan knows the name Marcus Ray, and they also know he was number 29 for the wolverines from 1995-98. You should know he was on the national championship team in 1997 as well. One of the greatest hits in college football history was performed on an arch rival "OHIO" player David Boston in 1997. That hit made the cover of Sports Illustrated December 1, 1997. What alot of people do not know is he is the author of an inspirational book called "RAY OF LIGHT" A native of Columbus, Ohio, Ray attended high school at Eastmoor Academy. He played college football at the University of Michigan, red-shirting in 1994 before earning varsity letters and wearing jersey #29 in each of the next four seasons (1995–1998).In 1995, Ray started six games at free safety. The following season in 1996, he started all 12 of Michigan's games at strong safety and earned All-Big Ten Conference honors. Ray intercepted three passes and made 100 total tackles on the season, tied for second best on the team with Jarrett Irons behind leader, Sam Sword.

Ray started all 12 games at strong safety for the 1997 Michigan Wolverines, who won a share of the national championship after completing a 12–0 season with a victory in the Rose Bowl. That season, the Wolverines set the NCAA Division I-A season record for fewest yards allowed per completion by a team. Ray intercepted five passes, second on the team to Heisman Trophy winner, Charles Woodson. His 71 total tackles and 44 solo stops were each third on the team behind those tallied by Sword and Dhani Jones. Ray once again earned all-conference honors and was a second team All-American selection by the Associated Press and Sporting News. The 1998 consensus preseason All-American was selected as a co-captain of the 1998 Michigan Wolverines football team, but he was suspended for six games by the NCAA for associating with a sports agent. As a result, he only started three games in 1998. Ray completed his Michigan football career with ten interceptions, now seventh most in program history. He tallied 241 total tackles including 148 solo stops as a Wolverine. Which is 2nd most in Michigan history for defensive backs.



Ray appeared in eight NFL games for the Oakland Raiders in 1999. During the 2000 season, he played with the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe, where he contributed to the team's efforts that took them to the World Bowl

Ray served as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for various high schools in Columbus, Ohio between 2001 and 2003. In 2004, he began a three-year tenure as defensive backs coach at Ohio Dominican University. In 2007, he served as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Michigan.The following year, he was a graduate assistant for the Central Michigan Chippewas football team. Ray returned to Ohio Dominican as an assistant coach for a season in 2009. In 2010, he became the defensive coordinator at Mifflin High School in Columbus. Marcus is extremely proud of his little league football team where he has institutionalized the spread offense, no huddle, hurry up, call the play from the sideline. I have had the privilege of seeing video of these little guys and they are amazin!



In 2010, Ray wrote a book of inspirational thoughts entitled, Rays of Light, Volume 1 "Let There Be Light". He published it in 2011 through his company, TEAM RAYROC LLC, of which he is CEO and president. To order his book, here are a few options.



Here is the info. Rays of light, Vol 1 "Let There Be Light" can be purchased on amazon.com http://amzn.to/pkln2l PayPal using mray29@gmail.com, mailing check or money order to PO box 24313 Columbus Oh 43224, and by calling 734-645-9618 for over the phone credit card orders. ALL copies are personally autographed by Marcus Ray.



In november Marcus willo be releasing his book titled 1997: Making of a Champion. Everyone here at Everything Michigan and
More will keep you posted on future books, signings etc...

Article By Matt Freeman