Born September 29, 1971. Ray is a former American football player in the NFL. He was drafted out of Louisville in 1993 by the Indianapolis Colts in the 3rd round (65th overall), and subsequently played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Oakland Raiders. He played in the NFL from 1993-2004. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1998 and a 2 x All-Pro selection in 1994 and 1998. He had 819 tackles, 47 interceptions and 4 touchdowns.
Known to Louisville fans as “Big Play” Ray, Buchanan began his college career at the University of Louisville in 1989. After being moved from wide receiver to defensive back, Buchanan compiled an epic career at Louisville, earning two Collegiate All-American honors. Buchanan jumped on the scene as a sophomore in 1990, piling up 59 tackles and three interceptions in helping the Cardinals to the 1990 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl. He then made his mark on the national stage as the Defensive MVP of the 1991 Fiesta Bowl with five tackles, a fumble recovery and a recovery of a blocked punt in the end zone as Louisville drilled Alabama 34-7. In 1991, he compiled 108 tackles and set the then-single season record for interceptions with eight picks.
In the 1992 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts took Buchanan in the 3rd round. He would then embark on a stellar professional career where he is considered one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. Buchanan would help lead the Colts to the NFC Championship game in 1996 before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons. He then put together five consecutive seasons of five or more interceptions while helping lead the “Dirty Birds” to Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999.