Texas A&M’s Defensive Anchor: Celebrating the Hall of Fame Career of Ray Childress

October 20, 1962 – Richardson, Texas – Ray Childress, a defensive end from Texas A&M, came into this world.

Ray played with the Aggies from 1981 through 1984 and, per the NFF, had the most tackles of any lineman in the storied history of Texas A&M, tallying 360 in his brilliant college career. 

Childress also added 25 sacks to his college resume, dropping QBs behind the line 15 times in 1983 alone. The NFF elected Ray Chidress into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Ray played in the NFL for 12 seasons, 11 of them with the Houston Oilers, and finished his final pro year with the Dallas Cowboys.

He was named first-team All-Pro five times and made five Pro Bowl appearances.

In Houston, Childress wore NFL Jersey 79 and finished his career ranked second on the Oilers’ all-time sack list (75.5 total) and sixth on the team’s all-time tackle list. He shares the NFL record for fumble recoveries in a single game (three vs. the Redskins in 1988). He spent his final year (1996) with the Dallas Cowboys, where he wore NFL Jersey 72.

Additional Contributions and Accolades:

• NFL Draft Status: Selected 3rd overall in the 1985 NFL Draft.
• NFL Record: Shares the NFL record for most fumble recoveries in a single game (3 on October 30, 1988).
• All-Pro Selections: In addition to his single First-team All-Pro nod, he was named Second-team All-Pro four times (1988, 1989, 1990, 1993).
• Team Foundation: Credited with changing the culture and serving as the anchor for the Oilers’ defense during their playoff streak (1987-1993).
• Positional Versatility: Successfully transitioned from Defensive End to Defensive Tackle in 1990, earning four Pro Bowl selections after the switch.