Why did Ray McElrathbey leave Clemson?

Former Clemson football player Ray Ray McElrathbey and his brother, Fahmarr. CLEMSON — Ray Ray McElrathbey is done with football at Clemson, and a teammate said it's because the Tigers' coaching staff decided not to renew his scholarship for the 2008-09 academic year.

Why did Ray Ray McElrathbey leave Clemson?

Things didn't end with a torn ACL. McElrathbey's football scholarship was not offered back to him for his junior season at Clemson, leaving him as he said multiple times prior, "traumatized." "I wasn't ready," he said. "I was a young man and like a lot of things in my life I didn't understand what was happening to me.

Did Ray McElrathbey graduate from Clemson?

Yes, Ray McElrathbey did graduate from Clemson University in August 2008 with an undergraduate degree in sociology, completing his degree in just three years despite the challenges of raising his younger brother, Fahmarr, on campus. He then went on to graduate studies at Howard University before playing a final football season at Mars Hill College.
 

Where is Ray McElrathbey now?

Now, McElrathbey lives in Atlanta with his children. And even though he moved past Clemson University after 2006, there's really no mistaking him for anything other than a Clemson Tiger.

Did Ray Ray McElrathbey marry Kaycee?

No. The real Ray Ray McElrathbey says that there wasn't a steady love interest in real life. A fact check reveals that the movie character Kaycee (Corinne Foxx) is fictional. This is one of the biggest differences between the movie and the Safety true story.

Former Clemson DB Ray McElrathbey’s Amazing Story That Led to Disney+’s ‘Safety’ | Rich Eisen Show

How old is Fahmarr McElrathbey now?

Fahmarr McElrathbey was 11 years old in 2006 when his older brother, Ray, became his legal guardian at Clemson University, making him around 29 or 30 years old as of late 2025/early 2026, as his birth year was likely around 1995, aligning with the events of Disney's movie Safety.
 

Why did Ray Ray McElrathbey get custody?

While visiting, he found his mother, who was struggling with a Crack addiction and living in a run-down motel with three of his siblings. He petitioned the court to grant him temporary custody of Fahmarr and this past September, McElrathbey returned to campus with his 11-year-old brother.

Where did Fahmarr McElrathbey go to college?

Hence, when Ray was only 19 years old he legally adopted his younger brother Fay. The ESPN report reveals that Ray took Fahmarr to Clemson University in South Carolina, from their hometown of Atlanta.

Is the movie "Safety" accurate?

The film is based on the true story of McElrathbey and his little brother, Fahmarr, aka "Fay." As their mother battled drug addiction and their father struggled with gambling, Ray didn't want Fahmarr to be sent into the same foster care system he was forced to endure.

How old is Faymar from Safety?

At just 19 years old, after his mother was sent away for rehabilitation, Ray (played by actor Jay Reeves) is suddenly left to care for his 11-year old brother Fahmarr (Thaddeus Mixson) — all while trying to excel at his academic studies and play safety on the Clemson football team.

Has anyone from a D3 school made it to the NFL?

Yes, many Division III (D3) football players have made it to the NFL, often signing as undrafted free agents, with players like Quinn Meinerz (Denver Broncos), Jake Kumerow (Buffalo Bills/Packers), and Dan Arnold (Jacksonville Jaguars/Panthers) being prominent recent examples, proving D3 players can succeed in the pros despite fewer opportunities to get drafted.
 

Who is the best Clemson QB of all time?

Clemson's best quarterbacks of all time typically feature the modern legends Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson, and Tajh Boyd, who led the program to unparalleled success, but also include foundational figures like Steve Fuller, Homer Jordan, Woody Dantzler, and Charlie Whitehurst, all instrumental in championship runs or record-setting careers. The debate often centers on these national title winners and record breakers, with Lawrence, Watson, and Boyd at the top for their elite talent and impact on the dynasty era, complemented by earlier stars like Fuller and Jordan. 

What was Ray McElrathbey's injury?

McElrathbey was injured during practice Thursday and spokesman Tim Bourret confirmed Friday that he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. The sophomore had decided to take care of his younger brother, Fahmarr, because of their mother's drug problems.

Why is Jaden Rashada suing Billy Napier?

Jaden Rashada is suing University of Florida coach Billy Napier and others for alleged fraud, claiming they induced him to commit to UF with promises of a $13.85 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal that never materialized, leading to a broken promise after he flipped from Miami. The lawsuit alleges misrepresentation and tortious interference with a prior $9.5 million NIL deal with Miami, with Rashada claiming he was promised a $1 million payment to his father that wasn't paid, causing the UF deal to fall apart and leaving him without the promised funds. 

Why did Woody Hayes refuse to play Notre Dame?

Woody Hayes refused to play Notre Dame primarily to avoid splitting the large Catholic population in Ohio, who felt loyalty to both Ohio State and the Catholic-affiliated Notre Dame, allowing fans to support both teams without choosing sides; other reasons included a desire to keep the Michigan rivalry as the sole major annual challenge and potentially issues with anti-Catholic sentiment at earlier games. 

Did Ray Ray McElrathbey graduate from Clemson?

Yes, Ray McElrathbey did graduate from Clemson University in August 2008 with an undergraduate degree in sociology, completing his degree in just three years despite the challenges of raising his younger brother, Fahmarr, on campus. He then went on to graduate studies at Howard University before playing a final football season at Mars Hill College.
 

Did Ray McElrathbey lose his scholarship?

Or rather, he was a college football player, until Clemson coach Tommy Bowden recently made the controversial decision not to renew McElrathbey's scholarship. Ray McElrathbey won the Orange Bowl Courage Award -- now Clemson's running him off the team. Scholarships for college athletes are revoked all the time.

How much of Safety is true?

The real Ray McElrathebey has waited fourteen years to see his story come alive as a new Disney movie. 'Safety' is streaming on Disney+. CHICAGO (WLS) -- "Safety," now streaming on Disney+, is based on the true story of a young athlete who puts his love for his little brother ahead of his own ambitions.

Was Safety filmed at Clemson?

They even simulated the famous Clemson Hill entrance. The movie “Safety” is being shot at Clemson, and filming continued to take place during halftime of the 7:30 p.m. matchup. The movie, which is a Disney production, is about the life of former Clemson player Ray Ray McElrathbey.

Did Kirk Herbstreit's kids go to Clemson?

After graduating high school, Tye attended Clemson alongside Jake. He was a walk-on for the Clemson Tigers and played 44 offensive snaps over 12 games, per his athlete bio. He graduated in May 2023, earning a degree in marketing. At the time, the college posted a photo of him alongside his parents at his ceremony.

What are Ray Ray McElrathbey's achievements?

Ray Ray's many accolades include being named ABC News' Person of the Week, being featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and being awarded ESPN's Keith Jackson Excellence Award, College Football Writers Association Courage Award, and numerous Father of the Year Awards.

Who is Keller in the Safety movie?

Safety (2020) - Miles Burris as Keller - IMDb.

How old is Fahmarr McElrathbey?

Fahmarr McElrathbey was 11 years old in 2006 when his older brother, Ray, became his legal guardian at Clemson University, making him around 29 or 30 years old as of late 2025/early 2026, as his birth year was likely around 1995, aligning with the events of Disney's movie Safety.
 

Does Lincoln Riley regret leaving Oklahoma?

Lincoln Riley has expressed regret not for the decision to leave Oklahoma for USC, which he maintains was the right move for him and his family at the time, but for how he handled the departure, admitting he hurt people, didn't communicate well with players/staff, and handled criticism poorly. He's acknowledged the pain caused and wishes he could have managed the emotional fallout and goodbyes better, but stands by the choice for the USC opportunity. 

Why did Ray Ray go after Tariq?

After doing some digging, Angela has discovered that Ray Ray has been at Tariq and Raina's school. She wants to know why. Ray Ray tells Angela that he was following a string of robberies that Tariq might have been involved with but Angela doesn't look convinced.