William Gay (cornerback)
Encyclopedia
William Gay is an American football
cornerback
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
, formerly of the University of Louisville football team
. He was chosen by the Steelers
with the 170th pick (5th round) of the 2007 NFL Draft
.
at the University of Louisville
where he played in 46 games recording 134 tackles. Gay is perhaps also notable for being offside as a defender on a field goal kick attempt in the final minute of Louisville's game against Rutgers
in 2006. The kick was a failure, but a penalty was called against Louisville, and the kicker successfully scored on the new attempt. As a result, Louisville experienced their only loss of the season, effectively ending their bid for a National Championship game berth.
in the fifth round (170th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft
. He had a 4.48 for his 40 time at the combine. In his first preseason game he intercepted a Tyler Palko
pass and tackled Saints
first round draft pick Robert Meachem
. In his rookie year he played in 16 games recording 19 tackles. In his second year, he saw more significant playing time after injuries to cornerbacks Bryant McFadden
and Deshea Townsend
. Gay contributed to the Steelers' stingy defense, which was the first in the league in pass defense and best total defense. Gay also contributes on special teams. After the loss of Bryant McFadden
in 2009, Gay assumed the starting duties at cornerback for the 2009 season opposite Ike Taylor
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, formerly of the University of Louisville football team
Louisville Cardinals football
The Louisville Cardinals football team represents the University of Louisville in college football as a member of the Big East Conference. Howard Schnellenberger started the program's rise to relevancy after winning the Miami Hurricanes' first national championship...
. He was chosen by the Steelers
Steelers
Steelers usually refers to the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football team which plays in the National Football League. It may also refer to the following sports teams:Association football...
with the 170th pick (5th round) of the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
.
College career
Gay played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
where he played in 46 games recording 134 tackles. Gay is perhaps also notable for being offside as a defender on a field goal kick attempt in the final minute of Louisville's game against Rutgers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights football
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team represents Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision play...
in 2006. The kick was a failure, but a penalty was called against Louisville, and the kicker successfully scored on the new attempt. As a result, Louisville experienced their only loss of the season, effectively ending their bid for a National Championship game berth.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Gay was selected by the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in the fifth round (170th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. He had a 4.48 for his 40 time at the combine. In his first preseason game he intercepted a Tyler Palko
Tyler Palko
Tyler Palko is an American football player and starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh.Palko was the starting quarterback...
pass and tackled Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
first round draft pick Robert Meachem
Robert Meachem
Robert Meachem is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Saints 27th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee....
. In his rookie year he played in 16 games recording 19 tackles. In his second year, he saw more significant playing time after injuries to cornerbacks Bryant McFadden
Bryant McFadden
Bryant McFadden is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.McFadden has also played for the Arizona Cardinals...
and Deshea Townsend
Deshea Townsend
Trevor Deshea Townsend is a former defensive back in the National Football League, and is currently a defensive backs coach for the Arizona Cardinals and most recently a player for the Indianapolis Colts...
. Gay contributed to the Steelers' stingy defense, which was the first in the league in pass defense and best total defense. Gay also contributes on special teams. After the loss of Bryant McFadden
Bryant McFadden
Bryant McFadden is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.McFadden has also played for the Arizona Cardinals...
in 2009, Gay assumed the starting duties at cornerback for the 2009 season opposite Ike Taylor
Ike Taylor
Ivan "Ike" Taylor is an American football defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League...
.