Willie Gay Jr. Day a humbling experience for former Starkville, Bulldog star

Everyone in the country was after Willie Gay Jr. eight years ago but he chose to stay home.

Choosing to turn down schools like LSU, Michigan and countless others didn’t come without some sleepless nights, but Gay admitted that he always knew in his heart that he wanted to be a Mississippi State Bulldog.

Growing up in the shadows of Davis Wade Stadium, Gay dreamt of playing SEC football and, ultimately, suiting up in the NFL. His talent afforded him opportunities beyond Starkville, but Gay found his way back home all the way back in 2017 when he chose State over LSU, Michigan and Ole Miss.

He picked State on signing day for days like Thursday afternoon. A giant big screen posted up right outside of the Union on campus and the YMCA building said it all as it was Willie Gay Jr. Day at MSU with the University honoring the talented linebacker for all of his accomplishments to this point.

“It’s family. It’s love. Not just because I’m from here, it’s because of how I was treated when I was here,” Gay said of MSU. “I signed for four years but it lasts way longer than that and (Thursday) proved that. Even if I didn’t play football, I’m sure people that I’ve come across would still love me the same.”

Gay stood out to Bulldog coaches early

A day after Gay was honored by the community of Starkville, the University took center stage on campus. Director of Athletics Zac Selmon spoke on Gay’s impact and delivered him a customized cowbell from University President Mark Keenum.

Gay’s recruiter when he was in high school was former running backs coach Greg Knox who also spoke at the presentation. The two-time interim head coach and current leader of the D.A.W.G. program, Knox knew there was something special with Gay from an early age and even joked about petitioning coach Dan Mullen to let him play running back.

“When you’ve been in my shoes and been able to see it year after year, there are a lot of people that played football, but Willie, those guys are different,” Knox said. “They’re blessed with a different gift. Willie played it at a different level and he’s tremendously blessed.

“Dan Mullen used to always say that when you go to the game if you can’t identify an SEC player when you walk up, he’s probably not an SEC player. He was easy to pick out because he was blessed.”

After producing an All-American career at Starkville that made him a four-star recruit, Gay came to MSU and flashed. His true freshman season in 2017, Gay made 23 tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack playing as a reserve linebacker.

Gay was a part of one of the nation’s best defenses in 2018 when he started in six of the 13 games he played and made 48 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 5.0 sacks and had two interceptions with a fumble recovery. Though he had to sit out for the first eight games as a junior, his impact was felt when he returned and made 28 tackles with 3.5 TFL, two fumble recoveries and an interception he returned for a touchdown in his first game back against Kentucky.  

The Kansas City Chiefs would take Gay in the second round of the NFL Draft in 2020 and he’s spent the last four seasons starting in 47 of 57 games that he’s played with 233 tackles, 17.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks, four fumble recoveries, four interceptions, a touchdown and two forced fumbles.

More importantly is the fact that Gay played for three Super Bowls and won two in his four years with the Chiefs. His run there with former Bulldog great Chris Jones came to an end after helping the team to another title this year and now he’s headed to New Orleans to play with former Bulldogs Jonathan Abram and JT Gray.

“I’m very excited to be closer to home, even more excited about an opportunity to start fresh,” Gay said. “(Abram), JT and a whole bunch of guys, it’s going to be fun to reunite with those guys and get the ball rolling.”

MSU, Starkville remain special to Gay

The day Gay signed, one of the things that he talked about was becoming a hometown hero in Starkville. The young kid from Moon Farm could only dream of it at the time, but he put it into motion.

Thursday proved that Gay’s hard work and commitment to keeping a smile on his face and brightening every room is worth it. He plans to continue to love the city and University that helped put him on the map.

“It’s a big deal. A blessing. I didn’t think it would be as big as this but this is a day that we’ll live for the rest of my life, hopefully after that. March 28, Willie Gay Jr. Day, is set in stone and it’s going to be a special day every year. I didn’t believe it would be as big as this so I’m overwhelmed with joy and I’m thankful.

“This is an amazing city. Starkville, Miss., takes care of its own and when I went to Mississippi State, they did it times two. Thank God for Mississippi State, the city and the people here.”