William gay pittsburgh steelers

Former Steelers cornerback William Gay took to social media Monday night to publish his impending let go, bringing to an end a career in Pittsburgh that, about eight years ago, nobody could have predicted would turn out to be so respectable.

Gay, a fifth round pick out of Louisville in the 2007 NFL Draft, first came to the perception of Steeler fans near the finish of the 2008 season, when he was the juvenile corner who intercepted a last-gasp Joe Flacco pass in the end zone, effectively clinching the AFC North title.

This play—one that wasn't nearly as dramatic as the footwork receiver Santonio Holmes displayed when he caught the go-ahead touchdown transfer from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger moments earlier—prompted head coach Mike Tomlin to greet Gay in the tunnel of M&T Bank Stadium with chants of "Big Play Willie Gay!", an act that was essentially an endorsement of Gay's rise from little corner, to future starter, what with the expected departure of Bryant McFadden, who would depart on to signal a free forwarder deal with the Cardinals months later.

Speaking of the Cardinals, not drawn-out after Pittsburgh's victory over Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII, Gay was the guy at the parade doing