By Travis Cram | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Jerry Gray said he might have been a Texas Tech football player when he was choosing a college after graduating from Estacado.

Even though he ended up with Texas and eventually in the NFL, Gray is looking to make it easier for kids from Estacado to have a shot at going to Tech.

Gray, along with his wife Sherry who is the co-founder of the Jerry Gray Foundation, announced Wednesday that the foundation will host a scholarship tournament Saturday at Meadowbrook Golf Course to help raise money for students coming out of Estacado to go to Tech – ones who might not have the chance to attend a university without the help of the foundation.

“We really wanted to get East Lubbock and Texas Tech more in a relationship together,” Jerry Gray said. “I think this will help us achieve our goal to eventually close that gap.”

There are four levels of sponsorship for those wishing to participate, ranging from $400 to $1,000. All four levels enter a team of four players into the golf tournament and include invitations to the barbecue dinner tonight at Estacado, where a silent and live sports memorabilia auction will be held. All proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.

Donors can register for the tournament at the Web site for the foundation (www.jerrygrayfoundation.org).

The foundation was established to help kids in underserved communities over the years. Gray said being able to give back to Estacado and others has been a joy for him.

“It’s been very rewarding because you get to see a lot of students succeeding,” Gray said. “I think what we’re doing is working and as long as you get to see a lot of the fruits of your labor, you know you’re doing a good job.”

Gray is a member of the all-time Texas High School football team and the all-time University of Texas team. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection during nine seasons in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has been the Washington Redskins cornerbacks and secondary coach for four years after being a defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.

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travis.cram@lubbockonline.com l 766-8736