Ray Poole
Encyclopedia
Ray Smith Poole was an American
offensive
and defensive
end in the National Football League
who played for the New York Giants
from 1947 to 1952. Born in Gloster, Mississippi
, he graduated from Crosby High School in Crosby, Mississippi
, then attended the University of North Carolina
before transferring to the University of Mississippi
. He also played baseball and basketball at Ole Miss, where his brothers Barney
and Buster
also became star athletes. Ray Poole was selected by the Giants in the 13th round of the 1944 NFL Draft
while he was serving three years in the Marines
during World War II
; he then returned to play at Ole Miss before joining the NFL. He was named to the all-NFL team in 1950
. He later played for the Montreal Alouettes
of the Canadian Football League
in 1953-54, and then became an assistant coach at Ole Miss under coach Johnny Vaught
. Poole died of cancer
at age 86.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
offensive
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
and defensive
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
end in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
who played for the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 1947 to 1952. Born in Gloster, Mississippi
Gloster, Mississippi
Gloster is a town in Amite County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,073 at the 2000 census. It is part of the McComb, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area.T. T...
, he graduated from Crosby High School in Crosby, Mississippi
Crosby, Mississippi
Crosby is a town in Amite and Wilkinson Counties in the U.S. state of Mississippi. The population was 360 at the 2000 census. It is part of the McComb, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, then attended the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
before transferring to the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
. He also played baseball and basketball at Ole Miss, where his brothers Barney
Barney Poole
George Barney Poole was an American football end in the National Football League for the New York Yanks, the Dallas Texans, the Baltimore Colts, and the New York Giants. Poole also played football in the All-America Football Conference for the New York Yankees...
and Buster
Jim Poole (American football)
James Eugene "Buster" Poole was a professional American football wide receiver who played for seven seasons for the New York Giants and the Chicago Cardinals in the National Football League.In 1964, he was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.-References:...
also became star athletes. Ray Poole was selected by the Giants in the 13th round of the 1944 NFL Draft
1944 NFL Draft
The 1944 National Football League Draft was held on April 19, 1944.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:-Round eleven:...
while he was serving three years in the Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
; he then returned to play at Ole Miss before joining the NFL. He was named to the all-NFL team in 1950
1950 NFL season
The 1950 NFL season was the 31st regular season of the National Football League. The merger with the All-America Football Conference expanded the league to 13 teams. Meanwhile, television brought a new era to the game. The Los Angeles Rams became the first NFL team to have all of its games – both...
. He later played for the Montreal Alouettes
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes are a Canadian Football League team based in Montreal, Quebec.The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
in 1953-54, and then became an assistant coach at Ole Miss under coach Johnny Vaught
Johnny Vaught
John Howard Vaught was an American college football coach at the University of Mississippi from 1947 to 1970 and again in 1973....
. Poole died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
at age 86.