Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2006
- Class:
- 1992
Ray Buchanan (1989-92) arrived at UofL as a wide receiver and running back from Chicago, Ill., before reluctantly moving to defensive back. He quickly emerged as a star in Louisville's defensive backfield as a sophomore in 1990, when he helped the Cardinals to a 10-1-1 season and a 34-7 victory over Alabama in the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl. Buchanan was the defensive MVP of that bowl game with five tackles, a fumble recovery, and a recovery of a blocked punt in the end zone.
He earned All-America honors from Playboy and Football News at Louisville before being drafted in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts (63rd pick) in 1993. He played 14 years in the NFL with the Colts (1993-96), Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003) and Oakland Raiders (2004), while amassing 804 tackles and 47 interceptions in his career.
He was a starter at cornerback for the Falcons during their Super Bowl XXXIII season in 1999, producing 63 tackles and four interceptions that year.
