Report: 42-year-old former Alabama running back Ray Hudson passed away.
Ray Hudson, the former running back for the University of Alabama, has passed away at the age of 42, according to a report by Ryan Phillips from the Tuscaloosa Patch. Hudson, a native of Bonifay, FL, played for the Crimson Tide for four seasons, with stints under head coaches Dennis Franchione and Mike Shula.
Entering the Alabama team in 2001, Hudson quickly made an impact as a true freshman and witnessed his role expand over the course of four years. Throughout his career with the Crimson Tide, Hudson amassed a total of 1,639 rushing yards, placing him 25th in the all-time records at Alabama. Additionally, he scored seven touchdowns during his time on the field.
The 2004 season was poised to be a standout year for Hudson until a knee injury intervened. Despite only playing six games that season, the running back managed to accumulate an impressive 638 yards and four touchdowns on 92 carries. Unfortunately, his promising season was cut short during a game against Kentucky, where he was the second-leading rusher in the SEC at the time.
Hudson’s notable performances in the 2004 season included three 100-yard games, with a standout 170-yard game against Arkansas, where he averaged an impressive 8.5 yards per carry on 20 attempts. The knee injury against Kentucky prevented him from achieving another 100-yard milestone, leaving him just short at 99 yards.
Post his football career at Alabama, Hudson faced mental health struggles. In a 2014 interview with AL.com, he attributed some of his challenges to head injuries sustained while playing for the Crimson Tide. Hudson shared, “I don’t see where it would’ve come from anything else. I have anger issues and depression. I’ve never been on any kind of supplements or steroids. I’ve always been a happy-go-lucky guy my whole life.”
Hudson was also part of a larger group of former athletes who took legal action against the NCAA concerning their handling of concussions. In addition to anger issues, he openly discussed experiencing memory loss and battling depression. His struggles post-football shed light on the broader conversation surrounding the impact of sports-related injuries on mental health, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and support for athletes facing such challenges.
