Ricky Ray career praised by CFL players, fans after QB retires

Toronto Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray celebrates with the Grey Cup in the locker room after defeating the Calgary Stampeders in the 105th Grey Cup on Sunday, November 26, 2017 in Ottawa. (Nathan Denette/CP)

Mike Johnston May 8, 2019, 6:15 PM

Star quarterback Ricky Ray has officially hung up his cleats.

The future Hall of Famer announced his retirement from professional football Wednesday after spending 16 seasons as one of the CFL’s preeminent passers.

The Happy Camp, Calif., native spent the first nine seasons of his CFL career with the Edmonton Eskimos and led the team to Grey Cups in 2003 and 2005. He joined the Toronto Argonauts in 2012 and also helped lead that franchise to a pair of championships.

It’s a shame a brilliant career like Ray’s came to an official end on a random Wednesday afternoon conference call – yet it was somewhat symbolic of how his days on the field ended. The unassuming pivot had the chance to walk away from the sport on top after leading the Argos to an improbable Grey Cup victory in 2017.

He decided against retirement at the time and anyone who was at BMO Field on June 23, 2018 watched Ray get stretchered off the field during a blowout loss in front of a sparse crowd after he suffered what would turn out to be a career-ending injury.

Ray is one of four CFL quarterbacks with more than 60,000 career passing yards to his name. The 39-year-old had an incredible touch on the ball and his 68.2 career completion percentage is a CFL record.

He’s undoubtedly one of the best to ever play the three-down game and compliments were abundant on social media once the announcement was made official.

With that in mind, here’s a sample of the praise Ray received from former teammates, peers and fans.

https://twitter.com/TorontoArgos/status/1126170688581177344

#ThankYouRicky pic.twitter.com/8sR3VgxBCB

— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) May 8, 2019

I would just like to congratulate Ricky Ray on a remarkable career and wish him all the best in his retirement. pic.twitter.com/FPqfOy5X5K

— Randy Ambrosie (@RandyAmbrosie) May 8, 2019

A great @TorontoArgos quarterback and a great career. On behalf of all Toronto residents and #Argos fans, thank you to Ricky Ray for your seven seasons in Double Blue and two Grey Cup wins for our city! Wishing you all the best in retirement! #ThankYouRicky #PullTogether pic.twitter.com/7IfLPcE0Yp

— John Tory (@JohnTory) May 8, 2019

After 16 illustrious seasons, Ricky Ray has decided to hang up his cleats.

Take a trip with us down Ricky's #CFL timeline. pic.twitter.com/91ZG24LXUZ

— CFL (@CFL) May 8, 2019

#ThankYouRicky pic.twitter.com/ZnMQ0i84Tz

— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) May 8, 2019

THANK YOU RICKY RAY!!!!!
People throw around goat to much these days but YOU ARE TRULY THE GOAT!!!!!!! It was everything to prepare and compete next to a living legend daily, I learned a lot from you and I appreciate you!!!! pic.twitter.com/Is82kcUpHw

— Coach Wilder (@IAm_Wilder32) May 8, 2019

If somehow you end up seeing this Ricky, I just wanna say Thank you.

— Coach JG (@JGab9) May 8, 2019

Classy, humble, and consistent. An Edmonton legend, but my respect grew when he went to Toronto and had an incredible “2nd career” there. On the short list of all-time @CFL greats. So many great battles through the years – always had to bring it against Ricky. Cheers to a champ! https://t.co/x6THc6qhDz

— Travis Lulay (@TravisLulay) May 8, 2019

A career well done #RickyRay15 https://t.co/rjpWKdKUbf

— Damon Allen (@damonallen9) May 8, 2019

Ricky!!! The amount I have learned from you as a player & a man is truly incredible. Winning a championship together has bonded us for life & I am extremely grateful for our time spent together. Thank you for teaching me about the @CFL game and how to be a pro all the time! #HOF pic.twitter.com/UKK3XZwclH

— Cody Fajardo (@CodyFajardo17) May 8, 2019

While not a surprise and certainly understandable, the legend, Ricky Ray announces his retirement . I'm rather speechless at this point. Let's get #ThankYouRickyRay trending. @TorontoArgos @CFL pic.twitter.com/VtgRqOy2cA

— Lori Bursey (@ArgoDiva) May 8, 2019

https://twitter.com/RBradyGlobe/status/1126173750737686529

The Toronto Argos are here July 25. To me that would be the perfect day for the Edmonton Eskimos to induct the now retired Ricky Ray to the Wall of Fame. No question Ray will be going into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as soon as he's eligible.

— Terry Jones (@byterryjones) May 8, 2019

Thank you Ricky Ray for all that you did for our league. You are smiling in this photo and you sure made us smile in game situations. You are one of the best I have seen at QB. Best of luck in the future. @CFL @EdmontonEsks @TorontoArgos pic.twitter.com/oGa5baNWxW

— Brian D Edwards (@elkinator_42) May 8, 2019

#ThankYouRickyRay pic.twitter.com/gmdYrdXhAf

— Argos Admirals (@ArgosAdmirals) May 8, 2019

Congratulations to Ricky Ray on an outstanding career.

Always a pleasure to go to battle against pic.twitter.com/7pIZQlBxoq

— BC LIONS (@BCLions) May 8, 2019

Congratulations on an incredible career Ricky. We wish you all the best in retirement! https://t.co/vjYDUoyTdf

— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) May 8, 2019

Ce fut un honneur de t’affronter pendant toutes ces années, Ricky. // It’s been an honour battling it up with you on the field for all these years, Ricky. #ToujoursGame #PullTogether https://t.co/4xmP2nNhHO

— Alouettes de Montréal (@MTLAlouettes) May 8, 2019

Respect.

Congratulations to Ricky Ray on a remarkable #CFL career. https://t.co/1wDV6N7Vux

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) May 8, 2019

Nothing but respect for a #CFL legend on an impressive career.

Enjoy retirement, Ricky!

(And after a few nice words, back to your regularly scheduled rivalry). https://t.co/Q6f2sckUsN

— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) May 8, 2019