Ray Davis after final game at Kentucky: "I'm proud to be a gotdamn Wildcat"

MrsTylerKSR

ray-davis-final-game-kentucky-im-proud-to-be-a-gotdamn-wildcat — Dec 29, 2023; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Ray Davis (1) runs into the end zone for a touchdownagainst the Clemson tigers in the fourth quarter during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Ray Davis didn’t initially plan on playing in Kentucky’s bowl game. Following the win over Louisville, the senior running back declared for the NFL Draft and was going to opt out of the bowl to prepare; however, when the matchup vs. Clemson in the Gator Bowl was revealed, he had a change of heart. Even though Kentucky didn’t end up on the winning side of today’s 38-35 loss to the Tigers, Davis told reporters he was proud to be part of an instant classic.

“Helluva game,” Davis said. “You know? It’s a game that we love to be a part of. It’s a game as a fan you love to watch.”

“Football is football,” he added. “You win some, you lose some. There’s not much to it. I’m proud to be a part of this team. I’m proud to have played that game. The rest of my life I’m going to be able to remember that and be able to know that I was part of a very historical game in a sense of just back and forth and ups and downs, highs and lows, and knowing whenever adversity struck, we stepped up to the plate.”

Davis finished with 13 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown, which brings his season total to 21 and extends his single-season school record. His 1,129 rushing yards are 11th on Kentucky’s single-season list and he now has 3,626 in his career, which also included stops at Temple and Vanderbilt. Davis is believed to be the only player to total at least 1,000 rushing yards at three different Division I FBS schools; however, he said his final stop will be the most memorable. He scoffed when asked about pictures of him in a walking boot that made the rounds this week.

“I was 1000% healthy. I was fine. It was important. Like I said earlier in the week, it was important to be able to rally behind the guys and be able to finish this journey with my brothers.

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“These guys are family to me. I couldn’t just walk away and not be a part of a season and finish it. It was a helluva ride. I’m proud to have come to Kentucky. I’m proud to have been able to represent this program and this institution to the best that I could be. I hope that someday when I come back people know that I left it all on the line.”

After thanking Mark Stoops, Mitch Barnhart, and everyone who helped him along the way at Kentucky, Davis delivered a line that will tug at your heartstrings.

“At the end of the day, I’m just proud. One, I’m an alumni now; I’m proud to be able to say that. But, two, I’m proud to be a gotdamn Wildcat, and I’m going to love it forever.”

Back at you, Ray.