William Gay is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on January 1, 1985, in Tallahassee, Florida, and attended the University of Louisville, where he played college football for the Louisville Cardinals.
Gay was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He spent his first five seasons with the Steelers, where he became a key member of the team's defense. He played in 80 games for the Steelers, starting in 37 of them. During his time with the team, he recorded 11 interceptions, 4.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.
In 2012, Gay signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent. He played in all 16 games for the Cardinals that season, starting in 15 of them. He recorded two interceptions and 1.5 sacks during the season.
After one season with the Cardinals, Gay returned to the Steelers in 2013. He played in all 16 games for the team that season, starting in 14 of them. He recorded two interceptions and one sack during the season.
Gay continued to play for the Steelers for the next four seasons. During this time, he played in 64 games, starting in 56 of them. He recorded six interceptions, two sacks, and two forced fumbles during this period.
In 2018, Gay signed with the New York Giants as a free agent. He played in all 16 games for the Giants that season, starting in 15 of them. He recorded one interception and one sack during the season.
Gay announced his retirement from the NFL in 2019. He finished his career with 176 games played, 101 starts, 13 interceptions, 5.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles.
Off the field, Gay has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights. He has spoken publicly about his experience growing up with a gay brother and has worked with organizations such as the You Can Play Project to promote inclusion and acceptance in sports.
In conclusion, William Gay had a successful career in the NFL, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants. He was a key member of the Steelers' defense during his time with the team and recorded 13 interceptions, 5.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles throughout his career. Off the field, he has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights and has worked to promote inclusion and acceptance in sports.
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