For similarly named people, see William Gay.
Willie Gay
Current teamMiami Dolphins
Number40
PositionLinebacker
Birth dateFebruary 15, 1998 (age 28)
Birth placeStarkville, Mississippi, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in1
Weight lb246
High schoolStarkville
CollegeMississippi State (2017–2019)
Draftyear2020
Draftround2
Draftpick63
Pastteams
StatusActive
Highlights
StatleagueNFL
Statseason2025
Statlabel 1Total tackles
Statvalue 1281
Statlabel 2Sacks
Statvalue 29.0
Statlabel 3Forced fumbles
Statvalue 33
Statlabel 4Fumble recoveries
Statvalue 46
Statlabel 5Interceptions
Statvalue 54
Statlabel 6Pass deflections
Statvalue 624
Statlabel 7Defensive touchdowns
Statvalue 71
PfrGayJWi00

Willie Gay Jr. (born February 15, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 63rd overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft.

Early life

Gay attended Starkville High School in Starkville, Mississippi. At Starkville High School, he won the 2015 6A State Championship.[1] He played in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[2][3] A four-star recruit, Gay committed to Mississippi State University to play college football.[4][5]

College career

Gay played at Mississippi State from 2017 to 2019.[6] As a junior in 2019, he played in only five games and missed eight due to suspension.[7] After the season, he entered the 2020 NFL draft, forgoing his senior season.[8][9] During his career, he played in 31 games, starting six, recording 99 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions and a touchdown.[10][11]

Professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

Gay was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round with the 63rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, which was previously acquired by the Chiefs in a 2019 trade that sent Dee Ford to the San Francisco 49ers.[12] In Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Gay recorded his first career sack.[13] On February 6, 2021, Gay was placed on injured reserve, forcing him to miss Super Bowl LV.[14] Without Gay, the Chiefs lost the Super Bowl 31-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gay was placed on injured reserve on September 2, 2021.[15] He was activated on October 9.[16]

On September 19, 2022, Gay was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy due to his arrest in January 2022.[17] Gay went on to help the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35. Gay recorded eight tackles in the Super Bowl.[18]

In 2023, Gay had 58 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, one interception, and four passes defended.[19] Gay helped the Chiefs reach Super Bowl LVIII where they defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 to win their second straight championship.[20] Gay recorded 4 tackles in the game.[21]

New Orleans Saints

On March 13, 2024, Gay signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.[22]

Miami Dolphins

On March 19, 2025, Gay signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.[23]

On March 12, 2026, Gay re-signed with the Dolphins on a new one-year contract.[24]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSckTFLPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFRYdsTD
2020KC1683929101.033000.0001000
2021KC12114826220.5142147.01300000
2022KC13138851372.59814747.04710100
2023KC16155844141.04412424.02401310
2024NO158281992.02300––01240
2025MIA1722010102.03200––00000
Career89572811791029.0222448521.34713650

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSckTFLPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFRYdsTD
2020KCDNP
2021KC3311740.012000.0001000
2022KC339630.520000.0000000
2023KC339540.011000.0000000
Career992918110.543000.0001000

Gay was arrested on January 19, 2022, for misdemeanor criminal destruction of property less than $1,000. He reportedly went to see his son at his son's mother's house. The two got into an argument and Gay damaged a vacuum cleaner, a humidifier, and a cellphone screen protector, as well as a wall and door.[25]

References

  1. ^ Horka, Tyler (April 23, 2020). "5 things to know about former Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay Jr.". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  2. ^ Rippee, Brian Scott (2016-07-22). "Dandy Dozen LB Gay to play in Army All-American Bowl". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  3. ^ Smith, Cam (October 6, 2016). "Starkville (Miss.) LB Willie Gay on Ole Miss commitment and Army All-American Bowl". USA Today. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  4. ^ Middleton, Dalton (February 2, 2017). "Starkville High's Gay picks MSU over Ole Miss". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  5. ^ Lowery, Logan (September 13, 2017). "Staying home the right choice for Starkville's Gay". Daily Journal. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  6. ^ Coleman, Joel (April 3, 2019). "MSU linebacker Gay Jr. puts in work during spring". Starkville Daily News. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  7. ^ Portnoy, Ben (September 21, 2019). "Willie Gay Jr. brings the dramatics in return from suspension". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  8. ^ Horka, Tyler (January 6, 2020). "Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay makes decision on 2020 NFL Draft". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  9. ^ Lowery, Logan (January 6, 2020). "MSU's Gay entering NFL Draft early". Daily Journal. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  10. ^ "Willie Gay College Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  11. ^ https://hailstate.com/sports/football/roster/willie-gay-jr-/5336
  12. ^ Littler, Tiffany (April 24, 2020). "NFL DRAFT: Chiefs pick Willie Gay Jr. in second round". KSNT. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  13. ^ "Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – October 11th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  14. ^ Franklin, Tucker (February 6, 2021). "Chiefs Place Eric Fisher, Willie Gay On Injured Reserve". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Alper, Josh (September 2, 2021). "Chiefs put Willie Gay on injured reserve". NBCSports.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  16. ^ Teope, Herbie (October 9, 2021). "KC Chiefs activate Willie Gay Jr. from injury list. He's questionable Sunday vs. Bills". KansasCity.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  17. ^ Gordon, Grant (September 19, 2022). "Chiefs LB Willie Gay suspended four games for violating NFL personal conduct policy". NFL.com. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  18. ^ "Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  19. ^ "Willie Gay Jr. 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
  20. ^ Maaddi, Rob (February 12, 2024). "Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25–22 over 49ers in overtime". AP News. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 11th, 2024". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  22. ^ "New Orleans Saints agree to terms with linebacker Willie Gay". NewOrleansSaints.com. March 13, 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  23. ^ "Dolphins Sign Gay Jr.". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  24. ^ "Dolphins re-sign three players". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  25. ^ Teicher, Adam (January 20, 2022). "Kansas City Chiefs' Willie Gay arrested on misdemeanor criminal property damage charge". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.