Gray was born on March 10, 1936 in San Saba,Texas to Lewis and Estelle Gray. Lewis was a heavy equipment operator during World War II. He attended Llano High School, graduating in 1954. From 1954-1957, he attended Howard Payne University (HPU). He was already a husband and father before attending HPU, and the school accommodated his need for a job and a family home, as well as schooling. He lettered four years at Howard Payne, and was selected All-Lone Star Conference and a Little All-American. He graduated in 1958 with a degree in history and education. He believed HPU helped shape his character and prepare him for any difficulties he faced in the NFL.[1][2][3]
Professional career
The Green Bay Packers selected him in the sixth round of the 1958 NFL draft (62nd pick overall) and he was the final player cut by Packer coach Scooter McLean in training camp prior to the regular NFL season that year, with the Packers keeping their number four draft pick, future hall of fame guard Jerry Kramer.[4][5][6] Other NFL teams contacted Gray to try out and he settled on the Chicago Cardinals because he would be driving through Illinois from Green Bay to Texas. His first NFL contract, in 1958, paid him $6,000.[7]
From 1963 to 1969, Gray's Cardinals teammates chose his as captain.[1] After 12 years, the Cardinals waived Gray in 1969 after a series of knee injuries. He was signed by the Houston Oilers for the 1970 season, and started in 10 of the 11 games he played.[8] He retired after the 1970 season.[9]
He earned All-Pro notice seven consecutive seasons (1963–1969) and played in six Pro Bowls (1961, 1963-1964, 1966-1968).The Associated Press (AP) selected him as a first team All-Pro in 1964, and second team in 1963, 1965 and 1967. From 1963 to 1969 The Sporting News selected him first team All-Conference. United Press International (UPI) selected him first team All-Pro 1963-1965, and second team in 1966-1967.[8]
In 1967, three other offensive lineman from the Cardinals, Bob DeMarco (center), Irv Goode (left guard), and Ernie McMillan (right tackle), along with Cardinals hall of fame tight end Jackie Smith, were all selected to the Pro Bowl.[10]
Coaching career
After retiring as a player, he served for three years (1973–1975) as head coach at his high school alma mater, Llano High School, where he coached his son, who was an All-State player.[1][3] In 1977 and 1978 he was offensive line coach for the Denver Broncos, under coach Red Miller who had been Gray's offensive line coach in St. Louis. The Broncos reached Super Bowl XII, where they lost against the Dallas Cowboys. He stopped coaching for the Broncos after 1978 to spend more time with his family, who he would seldom see while working 18-hour days as a coach.[2][9][11][12][13] He coached high school football again from 1986 to 1988 with the Rockdale Tigers.[1]
Ken met his longtime wife, Shirley, in high school and married soon after. They were married 65 years at the time of his death, and had four children, 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.[7][1]
Death
Gray died in Llano, Texas, where he lived on November 25, 2017, at the age of 81.[16]
