After an All-American season for Jackson State football in 1973, Leon Gray was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft. After getting cut by the Miami Dolphins, he was picked up from waivers by the New England Patriots and teamed with John Hannah from 1973 through 1978 to form one of the best guard-tackle duos on the left side of an offensive line in the 1970s.
Hannah was the first member of the Patriots elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991. However, Hannah believes his friend Gray should have been selected as well.