Wide receiver and return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud III, now with the Atlanta Falcons, offers a candid look at his football journey, his admiration for legends, his unexpected creative side, and the profound influence of great coaches.
The Rivalry, Prime Time, and the Florida GOAT
When discussing the legendary San Francisco 49ers/Dallas Cowboys rivalry, McCloud’s memories immediately turn to Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
“I was always a Deion Sanders fan but I can’t say that I watched the 49ers… until Prime Time was in his prime,” McCloud recalled. He noted that the Cowboys were always on TV as “America’s Team,” but his interest in the 49ers grew when Sanders and later fellow Florida legend Frank Gore and Anquan Boldin played for the team. McCloud is currently in his second season with the Falcons, having signed with the team in 2024.
The Deion Sanders Effect: Coaching Ahead of the Curve
McCloud is a firm believer that Sanders’ coaching style is ahead of its time. He praises “Coach Prime” not just for football instruction, but for his commitment to his players’ futures.
“He’s pushing his kids out there to be somebody,” McCloud said. He contrasts Sanders’ approach with others he encountered in his journey: “A lot of coaches preach that boys to be men, but Coach Sanders is actually doing that and he’s giving them an outlet outside of football.”
While he believes Sanders’ methods are revolutionary, McCloud laughed when considering a timeline for him to transition to the professional ranks. “I don’t know if the NFL is ready for anybody like that yet. It’s going to take some time,” he mused.
The Challenge of Structure and Playing Both Ways
McCloud described his transition from high school to college—specifically Clemson—as a sudden shift into a world of “STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE!!”
He explained that football was always easy, but the demanding academic and off-field requirements were overwhelming for a freshman. “We got three-hour orientation meetings and this and that… but that’s what the only thing that was hard as a freshman that I think I had.”
McCloud also revealed that he was playing both offense and defense in high school and college, often without the recognition modern players like Travis Hunter receive due to social media restrictions at the time. “I had to switch numbers for that reason… I’m going to go to number #21 which was Prime Time at the time,” he said. The first game he wore #21, he ran a punt return back against NC State while playing both ways.
His background as a high school running back, he feels, didn’t necessarily prepare him for returning kicks but taught him patience and a fearlessness that allows him to “not caring if I ran through a wall.”
The Return King and Kobe’s Mentality
When asked about the greatest kick returners, McCloud was unequivocal: “Devin Hester has the crown! He’s definitely the BEST to ever do it in special teams.” He also credits contemporary return men like Cordarrelle Patterson, Jacoby Jones, and Antonio Brown.
Looking at other sports, McCloud said LeBron James would make the easiest transition to an NFL tight end. He respects LeBron’s game because of the fun he brings and how he makes others better, but it’s the mentality of Kobe Bryant that he particularly admires.
“He wasn’t playing with NOBODY! No blinking,” McCloud said. “Just the mentality of not flinching… he wants the last shot. He always wanted to be challenged.”
Madden, Mike Tomlin, and the Music Life
McCloud revealed a surprising side of himself, detailing his role in the Madden ’24 soundtrack. He initially attended an NFL Career Day for music and ended up freestyling a verse that led to him recording tracks with other NFL players and professional artists like Jay Rock. McCloud has deep roots in the music industry, having been around it since childhood with family ties to artists and record labels.
“I hate that saying because I was doing music before I played football,” he said, addressing the narrative of athletes wanting to be rappers. He stresses that he prioritizes football, but music is a genuine part of his life.
Finally, McCloud reflected on the impact of his former coach, Mike Tomlin.
“He helped me get back on track and he helped me get through the storm that I was in with Buffalo; it was never about football,” McCloud shared. He describes Tomlin as a life coach who helped him keep his “chip on his shoulder but start enjoying football again.”
McCloud appreciates that Tomlin’s guidance often focused on life outside of football, like discussing “becoming a dad and a man” when his son was born. His former teammate, Cam Heyward, gets the nod for doing the best Coach T impersonations in the locker room.
