The ever-humble Ricky Ray takes the mic and delivers heartfelt message to the CFL and fans

Ricky Ray is a legend in the CFL, but his career ended in a way that nobody wants to see – on a stretcher.

The crushing blow came last year when the Toronto Argonauts were playing the Calgary Stampeders. While the game was all but out of hand, sitting 34-1 in the 3rd quarter when the injury occurred, Ray was trying to gut it out anyway.

It turned out to be a mistake. Ray needed to be stabilized before a neck injury forced him off the field via stretcher.

Let’s all Pray for Ricky Ray. Very tough to watch that hit (from both sides) and his awkward fall... And no thumbs up as he was on a stretcher was also so tough not to see. @TorontoArgos #GetWellSoon #RickyRay #CFL pic.twitter.com/JLuRjwkuTd — Todd Kawhiro (@iamToddyTickles) June 24, 2018

It proved to be the last moment of CFL action Ray would play, as he later announced his retirement in which he was shown rousing support from across the league. On Saturday, he had a chance to take the mic and humbly say thank you to the Toronto Argonauts, the CFL, and all the fans that have supported him.

In his plain white t-shirt with his press pass on display (as if anyone didn’t know who he was), Ray delivered heartfelt humbleness and genuine thanks to the league that had given him so much.

Unfortunately for Ray and the Argos, the Ticats came to play. When the dust finally settled, it was a 64-14 margin.