By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com
 

          The NFL was, it seemed, A.J. Gray’s destiny.

          He was one of the top players in Washington County’s storied football history, making a case for No. 1.

          He was highly recruited, the honor student, and chose Georgia Tech, where his impact began immediately. And there was happiness on The Flats when he chose not to leave early and try the NFL draft.

          No more.

          Georgia Tech announced Monday afternoon that the football career of Gray – and that of offensive lineman Jake Stickler – was over for medical reasons.

          The school listed a heart condition as the reason for Gray’s departure from the game. He will remain on scholarship.

           Gray played in 33 games in three seasons, starting for two years, and ends with 147 tackles, six for loss, and three interceptions. He was third at Tech in tackles as a sophomore and junior.

          Gray left a major mark on high school football in Central Georgia, the three-time Merit List selection was a two-way player for Washington County for three seasons.

          He was the state Gatorade player of the year and Parade All-American in 2014, and led the Golden Hawks to consecutive runner-up finishes in the state. He set a GHSA record with an 8-touchdown, 442-yard game against Pierce County in the quarterfinals.

          Gray was also an elite defensive back in high school, returning four of his 10 interceptions for touchdowns.

          He was the state player of the year in multiple publications and organizations as a senior, and two-time all-area for Central Georgia.

          Gray was also a key figure for the Golden Hawks’ boys basketball team, twice earning all-state honors.

          His younger sister Allisha was a star basketball player at Washington County, North Carolina and national champion South Carolina, and was drafted fourth in the 2017 WNBA draft and went on to be rookie of the year.