Danny McCray

Danny DeWayne McCray (born March 10, 1988) is a former American football free safety and special teamer. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at LSU. He also played for the Chicago Bears. In 2021, he competed as a contestant on season 41 of Survivor, where he placed 6th overall.[1]

Danny McCray
McCray with the Chicago Bears in 2014
No. 40, 29
Position:Free safety
Personal information
Born: (1988-03-10) March 10, 1988
Houston, Texas
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Westfield (Houston, Texas)
College:Louisiana State
Undrafted:2010
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:91
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

McCray attended Westfield High School and in 2004 helped the football team to a second-place finish at the Class 5A state championship. He earned first-team all-district honors as a senior in 2005.

He went on to play at Louisiana State University contributing mostly in special teams and as a backup both at safety and linebacker. For his career, he played in 52 games with 13 starts and recorded 196 tackles, including seven tackles for losses and three sacks … Added three interceptions, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries … Played linebacker and safety during his LSU career.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)
McCray with the Cowboys in 2010.

McCray was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2010 as an undrafted free agent, based on the recommendation of special teams coach Joe DeCamillis. The team assigned him uniform number 40, previously worn by special teams star Bill Bates. As a rookie, he had 28 special teams tackles, the third-most in team history since 1988 and the most by any Cowboys player since Jim Schwantz's team-record 32 in 1996.

The next year, he led the team again in special teams tackles (19), becoming the first Cowboys player to do it consecutively since Bates did it in 1989-1990.[2] He also emerged as the unit leader, becoming a team captain by his third year.

After two seasons of playing in defensive packages as a hybrid linebacker and safety, in 2012 he got his first career start at strong safety against the Chicago Bears, replacing Barry Church who suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury. Although he started 10 games and finished second on the team in tackles (87), as the season wore on, he struggled in pass coverage and his special teams play suffered dropping to second in tackles (18), eventually losing his starting position and playing time in the last two games of the season.[3]

In 2013, after the Cowboys improved their depth at safety, he accepted a reduced salary to remain with the team and avoid being waived. McCray didn’t see as much time on the defense as he did in the previous year, with the intention of focusing on special teams. New special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia changed his role, which affected his tackle production, finishing sixth on the team with 8.

Chicago Bears

On March 18, 2014, McCray signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears, reuniting with special teams assistant Joe DeCamillis.[4] He ranked fourth on the team with 10 special teams tackles and his best game came against the New York Jets, registering 10 tackles on defense.[5]

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

On May 14, 2015, McCray was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to replace special teams player C. J. Spillman.[6] In the second game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown. He posted 4 special teams tackles and wasn't re-signed after the season.[7]

References
  1. "From NFL to 'Survivor': Former Cowboys Player to Appear on TV Show". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  2. "Danny McCray a special-teamer only". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  3. "Special Teams Where McCray Should Fit Best". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  4. Dickerson, Jeff (March 18, 2014). "Bears sign safeties Steltz, McCray". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  5. Wright, Michael (February 25, 2015). "Bears sign safeties Steltz, McCray". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  6. "Cowboys bring back Danny McCray". May 14, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  7. "Danny McCray a special-teamer only". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
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