Anthony Perkins
Jonas Grey, RB, New England Patriots
Written By: Keepingupwiththejoneses
Jonas Gray’s story begins with his humble beginnings in Pontiac, Michigan, where he grew up playing football from a young age. He attended Detroit Country Day School, where he excelled as a running back, earning several accolades and catching the attention of college recruiters. Gray went on to play college football at the University of Notre Dame, where he faced various challenges, including injuries and competition for playing time. Despite these obstacles, Gray showcased his talent and determination, eventually becoming the starting running back during his senior year. After his college career, Gray entered the NFL Draft in 2012 but went undrafted. He then signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent, but unfortunately, his time with the team was short-lived. Gray was released before the start of the regular season, leaving him without a team. However, his career took a turn for the better when the New England Patriots signed him to their practice squad in September 2012.
Gray spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons on the Patriots’ practice squad, honing his skills and patiently waiting for an opportunity to prove himself. Finally, Gray’s moment came during the 2014 season. In a game against the Indianapolis Colts on November 16, the Patriots’ starting running back, Shane Vereen, was sidelined due to injury. Gray was given the chance to step up, and he didn’t disappoint. In his first career start, Gray had a breakout performance that would become the stuff of legends. He rushed for a staggering 201 yards and scored four touchdowns, leading the Patriots to a dominant 42-20 victory. Gray’s performance not only caught the attention of football fans but also made headlines across the nation. The following week, Gray continued to impress, rushing for 199 yards and adding another touchdown against the Detroit Lions.
His momentum was halted when he overslept and arrived late to practice on November 21. As a result, Patriots coach Bill Belichick benched him for the next game against the Green Bay Packers. Despite this setback, Gray remained focused and determined to make the most of his opportunity. He continued to contribute to the Patriots’ success throughout the remainder of the season, helping the team secure their Super Bowl XLIX victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately for Gray, his time with the Patriots was short-lived. The following season, he struggled with injuries and saw limited playing time. The Patriots eventually released him in September 2015, and he was subsequently picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, his time with the Jaguars was also brief, and he was released in November 2015. Since then, Gray has had short stints with other NFL teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, and Jacksonville Jaguars again. Although his career hasn’t reached the heights of his breakout game in 2014, Gray’s story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of professional football and the importance of seizing every opportunity that comes one’s way.
Today, Jonas Gray is the President/CEO of Athletes Plus, a consulting firm that focuses on driving high-performance athletes, executives and business people.
Matt Lemear
