Forever a Gopher: MarQueis Gray
FOOTBALL | 7/27/2018 10:50:00 AM
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MarQueis Gray played all over the field for the Gophers in his career from 2009-12. He saw action at quarterback throwing for 2,053 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ran for 1,731 yards for 12 touchdowns in his career and also saw starts at wide receiver hauling in 60 receptions for 766 yards and six touchdowns.
Gray went onto to the NFL where he has played wide receiver, tight end and H-back for five different teams. He bounced around early in his career with stops at the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. He has now made the Miami Dolphins home. He is on his longest stint as he enters his third season with the Dolphins. We were able to catch up with one of Dinkytown's favorite Gophers last week after a family fishing trip. Gray just started training camp on July 25.
Gopher Sports: We saw you were out fishing today (July 21). Have you been up to anything else fun leading up to camp?
MarQueis Gray: Mainly I have just been working out, fishing with the boys and hanging with the family. I didn't want to do too much this offseason. I just focused on working out and family time because these next few weeks are about to be a grind.
GS: What has your NFL experience been like as you enter your third season with the Miami Dolphins?
MG: It's been great. This is my fifth team now. Being able to spend three years with one team finally makes me happy. I moved around my first couple years so being with the same team for this amount of years has been great. Going into camp I want to solidify my spot on the roster. That's always the number one goal. From there, it's about helping the team out. Make some plays, score some touchdowns and make the playoffs.
GS: When looking back on your time with the Gophers are there any memories that stick out to you?
MG: There is always the Iowa games. The moment we brought back the pig. Going to a bowl game, I know we lost that game but that was the year that I got married to my wife and my boys got to come down to Texas. There were some memories down there with them getting to be at the hotel with me. I remember on our way back after the game we got stuck at the airport for a few hours. It was all fun.
GS: What does it mean to be a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota?
MG: It's a great institute man. That's a big reason I decided to come there. They were known for their academics way before they were known for their athletics. I always knew once I came to college that it was a goal of mine to graduate. I got my diploma from there. It's located in a great city and I got to play for a great coach and with great teammates. I'm still in a group chat with a lot of my former teammates to this day.
GS: You were able to get a tour of the new facilities earlier this year?
MG: It's a nice facility man. I told the guys that I know there now how lucky they are. They have a nutrition building and everything. My nutrition when I was playing was Subway and McDonalds.
GS: Any other advice you would have for the current players?
MG: Just know that those long nights, those late night tutoring sessions will all pay off. You might feel tired after a long day of practice but it will be worth it whether it's going professional or into the business world. As long as you maintain good character throughout the years, make a few plays and show face in the community then you are all set. Stay focused on the schoolwork and don't worry about the NFL until it's time. Get your diploma first.
GS: Whenever we still post about your NFL career, a lot of Gopher fans still have your back and pay attention. What's it mean to have the state of Minnesota behind you?
MG: It's a good feeling. We didn't win too many games when I was there, but I believe I showed good character and it means a lot to still have a good fan base from the University of Minnesota.
https://gophersports.com/news/2018/7/27/football-forever-a-gopher-marqueis-gray.aspx
FOOTBALL | 7/27/2018 10:50:00 AM
Story Links
MarQueis Gray played all over the field for the Gophers in his career from 2009-12. He saw action at quarterback throwing for 2,053 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ran for 1,731 yards for 12 touchdowns in his career and also saw starts at wide receiver hauling in 60 receptions for 766 yards and six touchdowns.
Gray went onto to the NFL where he has played wide receiver, tight end and H-back for five different teams. He bounced around early in his career with stops at the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. He has now made the Miami Dolphins home. He is on his longest stint as he enters his third season with the Dolphins. We were able to catch up with one of Dinkytown's favorite Gophers last week after a family fishing trip. Gray just started training camp on July 25.
Gopher Sports: We saw you were out fishing today (July 21). Have you been up to anything else fun leading up to camp?
MarQueis Gray: Mainly I have just been working out, fishing with the boys and hanging with the family. I didn't want to do too much this offseason. I just focused on working out and family time because these next few weeks are about to be a grind.
GS: What has your NFL experience been like as you enter your third season with the Miami Dolphins?
MG: It's been great. This is my fifth team now. Being able to spend three years with one team finally makes me happy. I moved around my first couple years so being with the same team for this amount of years has been great. Going into camp I want to solidify my spot on the roster. That's always the number one goal. From there, it's about helping the team out. Make some plays, score some touchdowns and make the playoffs.
GS: When looking back on your time with the Gophers are there any memories that stick out to you?
MG: There is always the Iowa games. The moment we brought back the pig. Going to a bowl game, I know we lost that game but that was the year that I got married to my wife and my boys got to come down to Texas. There were some memories down there with them getting to be at the hotel with me. I remember on our way back after the game we got stuck at the airport for a few hours. It was all fun.
GS: What does it mean to be a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota?
MG: It's a great institute man. That's a big reason I decided to come there. They were known for their academics way before they were known for their athletics. I always knew once I came to college that it was a goal of mine to graduate. I got my diploma from there. It's located in a great city and I got to play for a great coach and with great teammates. I'm still in a group chat with a lot of my former teammates to this day.
GS: You were able to get a tour of the new facilities earlier this year?
MG: It's a nice facility man. I told the guys that I know there now how lucky they are. They have a nutrition building and everything. My nutrition when I was playing was Subway and McDonalds.
GS: Any other advice you would have for the current players?
MG: Just know that those long nights, those late night tutoring sessions will all pay off. You might feel tired after a long day of practice but it will be worth it whether it's going professional or into the business world. As long as you maintain good character throughout the years, make a few plays and show face in the community then you are all set. Stay focused on the schoolwork and don't worry about the NFL until it's time. Get your diploma first.
GS: Whenever we still post about your NFL career, a lot of Gopher fans still have your back and pay attention. What's it mean to have the state of Minnesota behind you?
MG: It's a good feeling. We didn't win too many games when I was there, but I believe I showed good character and it means a lot to still have a good fan base from the University of Minnesota.
https://gophersports.com/news/2018/7/27/football-forever-a-gopher-marqueis-gray.aspx
