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Ray-Ray Armstrong

Aravious "Ray-Ray" Armstrong (born March 5, 1991) is a former linebacker who played in the (NFL). He played for the , where he appeared in 30 games over three seasons, recording 134 tackles, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles before being dismissed from the program in 2012 amid an NCAA investigation into booster-related benefits. Undrafted in the , Armstrong signed with the as a and appeared in 86 regular-season games across multiple teams from 2013 to 2020, accumulating 156 combined tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, and three fumble recoveries in his professional career. Armstrong's NFL career began with the in 2013, where he played 20 games over two seasons before being waived and claimed by the in 2014. He then joined the in 2015, signing a two-year extension in 2016 and contributing on special teams and defense through 2017. Subsequent stints included the (2017–2018), (2018), (2019), (2019), and (2020), where he primarily served as a depth player and special teams contributor, with his last NFL action in 2020. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 220 pounds, Armstrong was known for his versatility across linebacker and safety roles early in his career. Born in Sanford, Florida, to Albert Armstrong, he attended Seminole High School, where he excelled as a quarterback and safety, leading his team to a state championship in 2008 while earning all-state honors. After his college dismissal, Armstrong briefly enrolled at NAIA's Faulkner University but did not play before turning professional.

Early life and education

Early life

Ray-Ray Armstrong was born on March 5, 1991, in Sanford, Florida. Armstrong grew up in Sanford, where he was raised primarily by his mother along with two brothers and three sisters; he has described his family as his backbone, instilling in him resilience and a fearlessness toward challenges from a young age. Public details about his parents beyond his father Albert are limited, but Armstrong has credited his brother, who was three years his senior and began playing football first, as a key early influence that sparked his own interest in the sport during childhood. He idolized former Miami Hurricanes safety Sean Taylor and wore number 26 in his honor. This familial encouragement in a Florida environment provided his initial exposure to athletics, setting the stage for his later pursuits.

High school career

Ray-Ray Armstrong attended Seminole High School in , where he played football as both a and . As a senior in 2008, Armstrong helped lead the Seminole Seminoles to the FHSAA Class 6A state championship, throwing the game-winning 40-yard touchdown pass in a 28-21 victory over Miami Northwestern. A highly regarded prospect, Armstrong was ranked as the No. 21 overall recruit in the class of 2009 by , the fourth-best nationally, and the fifth-best player in ; he ultimately committed to the , signing with the Hurricanes in February 2009.

College career

Ray-Ray Armstrong enrolled at the in 2009, where he played for the Hurricanes football team through the 2011 season as a , primarily at the position. As a true freshman in 2009, he appeared in 10 games, recording 21 tackles (14 solo) while serving in a reserve role on the defense. In his year of 2010, Armstrong emerged as a starter, playing all 13 games and leading the team with 79 tackles (44 solo), along with three —including one returned for a —earning him second-team All-ACC honors. His junior season in 2011 was limited to seven games due to suspensions, where he contributed 34 tackles (20 solo) and one . Over his three seasons at , Armstrong amassed 134 total tackles, four interceptions for 41 yards (one ), and two fumble recoveries, while forcing zero fumbles; he started five games overall and played a key role in run support given his 6-foot-3 frame, often matching up against larger ball carriers in the secondary. Armstrong's college career was marred by off-field issues, including an NCAA suspension for the first four games of the 2011 season for accepting impermissible benefits from former booster Nevin Shapiro, and an additional one-game suspension later that year for violating team rules after attending an unauthorized dinner. These incidents culminated in his dismissal from the team in July 2012 for dishonesty during an internal investigation, preventing him from playing his senior year at Miami. Following the dismissal, he attempted to transfer to NAIA's Faulkner University but was ruled ineligible by the NAIA Eligibility Center due to his permanent ban from NCAA competition. Armstrong went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft and signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams shortly thereafter.

Professional career

St. Louis Rams

After going undrafted in the out of the , where he played , Ray-Ray Armstrong signed with the as an undrafted on May 9, 2013. The Rams transitioned Armstrong from to linebacker upon his arrival, a shift that allowed him to adapt to a more versatile role in their defense. In his rookie season of 2013, Armstrong appeared in all 16 games for the , primarily contributing on special teams with limited defensive snaps. He recorded 13 total tackles (12 solo and 1 assisted), all on special teams, highlighting his initial focus on coverage and tackling in and units rather than starting defensive duties. Entering the 2014 preseason, Armstrong competed for a depth role at linebacker but saw his snaps increase slightly, appearing in four games early in the regular season before accumulating penalties that impacted his standing. The waived Armstrong on October 6, 2014, amid ongoing special teams struggles, including nine penalties over his tenure that drew coaching attention. During his time with the , spanning 20 total games across two seasons, he totaled 22 tackles, underscoring his developmental role as a special teams specialist transitioning to linebacker.

Oakland Raiders

On October 7, 2014, the Oakland Raiders claimed linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong off waivers from the St. Louis Rams, where he had appeared in four games earlier that season. In his first year with the Raiders, Armstrong played in 11 games with three starts, recording 18 tackles (14 solo), one forced fumble, and contributing significantly on special teams with 215 snaps (59% of the unit's total). His role expanded as a rotational outside linebacker, providing depth amid injuries in the unit. Entering the 2015 offseason, Armstrong participated in the Raiders' full program for the first time, a contrast to his mid-season arrival the previous year, which allowed him to focus on building physicality and technique. Coaches noted his productive development, with defensive coordinator praising his progress and linebackers coach highlighting his improved comfort and instinctive play. During the , he appeared in 10 games with two starts, tallying 21 tackles (18 solo), one , and one fumble recovery, while logging 115 special teams snaps (38%). Over his two seasons with Oakland, Armstrong played in 21 games with five starts, accumulating 39 tackles (32 solo), one , one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, primarily serving in rotational and special teams capacities that showcased his versatility and growing contributions to the defense. However, his playing time diminished late in , leading to his waiver by the Raiders on November 24.

San Francisco 49ers

Armstrong joined the after being claimed off waivers from the on November 25, 2015. In his debut season, he appeared in five games primarily on special teams, recording three tackles. His prior rotational experience with the provided a foundation for contributing to the 49ers' linebacker depth, allowing him to adapt quickly to the team's defensive scheme. On March 8, 2016, the 49ers signed Armstrong to a one-year contract extension through the 2016 season. He played in the first two games, tallying eight combined tackles and securing his first interception against the in Week 1, before suffering a that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Demonstrating his value in limited action, Armstrong earned a two-year extension on December 19, 2016, keeping him with the team through 2018. Armstrong's most significant contributions came in 2017, where he appeared in the first 10 games with five starts, primarily filling in at weakside linebacker during Reuben Foster's injury absence. He recorded 54 combined tackles, two —including a diving pick in the end zone against the —and one forced fumble, showcasing strong tackling efficiency and coverage skills that earned positive grades from . A career-high 10 tackles, one , and an in Week 4 highlighted his impact in run defense and pass disruption. The 49ers waived Armstrong on November 24, 2017, to activate defensive lineman from injured reserve, amid ongoing roster adjustments following multiple player injuries. Over his tenure from 2015 to 2017, Armstrong appeared in 17 games with five starts, accumulating 65 combined tackles, three interceptions, and one forced fumble.

New York Giants

Armstrong was claimed off waivers by the on November 27, 2017, after being waived by the San Francisco 49ers earlier that month. He had originally signed a two-year contract extension with the 49ers in December 2016, which positioned him for mid-season availability following the waiver. Over the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Armstrong played in 11 games for the Giants, starting 2, and amassed 30 tackles (17 solo, 13 assisted). In 2017, he appeared in the final 5 games, logging 10 tackles in 1 start. The following year, he featured in the first 6 games, starting 1 and recording 20 tackles while contributing on both defense and special teams. Armstrong adapted well to the Giants' defensive scheme, drawing on his college experience as a to bolster run defense and pass coverage as a linebacker. His length and instincts aided the unit's efforts against the run, with notable preseason performances including an in a 2018 win over the that highlighted his coverage skills. He was placed on injured reserve with a injury on October 16, 2018, and released by the team on October 24.

Cleveland Browns

After being released by the New York Giants on October 24, 2018, Armstrong signed with the the next day on October 25, 2018, to bolster their linebacker depth. In the 2018 season, Armstrong appeared in the Browns' final nine games, serving primarily as a special teams contributor with 139 , representing 60% of the team's special teams total. His defensive involvement was minimal, limited to 26 (4% of team defensive ), where he recorded 6 tackles (4 solo, 2 assisted) and 1 tackle for loss. Armstrong focused on coverage units, including kick and punt teams, providing reliable depth behind the starting linebackers amid injuries and rotations. The Browns re-signed Armstrong to a one-year, $1.55 million on March 13, 2019. However, he was released on August 31, 2019, as part of the team's final roster cuts before the 2019 season.

New Orleans Saints

On September 18, 2019, the signed linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong to the active roster to replace , who was placed on injured reserve. During the 2019 season, Armstrong appeared in five games for the (Weeks 3 through 7), logging 91 special teams snaps with no defensive participation. He contributed primarily to punt and kick coverage units, building on his prior special teams experience with the . This role provided depth at linebacker while he remained inactive on defense. Armstrong was released by the Saints on October 22, 2019, as part of roster adjustments that also included the release of running back .

Dallas Cowboys

Armstrong was signed by the on December 24, 2019, to the active roster following the placement of linebacker on injured reserve, providing late-season depth at the position. During the 2019 season, he appeared in one game for the Cowboys, the Week 17 regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins on December 29, where Dallas secured a 47–16 victory. In that contest, Armstrong recorded one assisted special teams tackle while logging 21 special teams snaps (61.8% of the unit's total) but zero defensive snaps, reflecting his utility role drawn from prior experience on special teams with the New Orleans Saints earlier in the year. Armstrong was released by at the conclusion of the 2019 season, returning him to free agency ahead of the 2020 campaign.

Seattle Seahawks

Armstrong, a linebacker with experience across multiple teams, signed with the ' practice squad on October 21, 2020, adding depth to the linebacker room amid the team's efforts to bolster its defensive front seven. He was elevated to the active roster for the first time on , 2020, ahead of the Seahawks' Week 7 matchup against the , where he logged 15 special teams snaps in a 37-34 loss. Armstrong appeared in two games total during the 2020 season, both on special teams, recording 26 snaps without any defensive statistics or starts as he contributed to coverage and return units in a Seahawks defense transitioning from the physical style of its earlier Legion of Boom era. He was elevated again to the active roster on December 12, 2020, for the Week 14 game against the , playing 11 special teams snaps in a 40-3 victory, before being released from the practice squad on December 15 and re-signed to it on December 30. Following the 2020 season, Armstrong became an unrestricted and did not secure an contract from 2021 through 2025, marking a five-year from the league as of November 2025. He is considered a former player.

Jacksonville Jaguars

No NFL activity with the or any team since 2020 as of 2025.

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