Sharks Acquire Four-Time All-Arena Receiver Reggie Gray

Tuesday May 31, 2016

 Reigning AFL Wide Receiver of the Year comes to Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Sharks announced Tuesday that the team has added a major playmaker to its lineup, as wide receiver Reggie Gray has been assigned to the Jacksonville roster. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A player with an established track record as one of the most explosive playmakers in the Arena Football League, 32-year old Gray (5’10”, 185) enters his sixth season in the League. The four-time All-Arena selection most recently spent each of the past two seasons with the San Jose SaberCats.

Most recently, “Big Play” Gray earned Cutters Wide Receiver of the Year and First Team All-Arena honors following a phenomenal 2015 season with San Jose. Gray led all AFL players with 162 receptions and tied for the League lead with 44 touchdown catches, totaling 1,698 receiving yards in the process. A force on special teams as well, Gray racked up 1,282 kickoff return yards and three touchdowns. Overall, Gray ranked second in the League with an average of 165.6 all-purpose yards per game.

Gray also served as a key contributor during the SaberCats’ run to ArenaBowl XXVIII. In three postseason games, Gray totaled 21 receptions for 179 yards and seven scores while also returning 15 kickofffs for 316 yards and a touchdown. After scoring the game-winning touchdown in the National Conference Championship, Gray caught nine passes for 95 yards and three scores in San Jose’s ArenaBowl victory over the Sharks.

In 2014, his first season with San Jose, Gray piled up 86 receptions for 1,054 yards and 29 touchdowns despite being limited to just 14 games. That year, Gray also totaled 564 kickoff return yards and a touchdown.

Prior to joining the SaberCats, Gray began his career with three consecutive Second Team All-Arena seasons with the Chicago Rush. In each of his three seasons with Chicago, Gray totaled at least 130 receptions, 1,900 receiving yards and 46 scores.

In 2013, Gray earned J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Year honors after recording 140 receptions for 1,978 yards and 46 touchdowns while also averaging 22.9 yards per kickoff return and bringing three kicks back for scores. Gray finished second among all AFL players that season with an average of 174.7 all-purpose yards per game.

During the 2012 season, Gray caught 140 passes for 1,937 yards and 48 touchdowns, ranking fifth, third and third, respectively, among all AFL receivers in each of those categories. Gray also totaled 1,292 kickoff return yards and three touchdowns during that season.

Breaking into the AFL with Chicago in 2011, Gray immediately established himself as one of the League’s biggest playmakers. As a rookie, Gray recorded 1,969 yards and 49 touchdowns on 130 receptions, and also returned four kickoffs for a touchdown. That dynamic performance earned Gray a spot on the AFL’s 2011 All-Ironman team.

Prior to the start of his professional career, Gray played at Western Illinois, where he finished his career as the Leathernecks’ all-time leader in receptions (155) and receiving yards (2,454). A native of Chicago, Gray attended Morgan Park High School.

About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and four-time South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2016 season are now available, two tickets as low as $99. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.