Damon Mays


Damon E. Mays, Jr. is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers and Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Missouri and was drafted in the ninth round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

Early years

Mays attended Central High School, where he focused on basketball. His high school football career consisted of one play on the junior varsity.
After graduating he moved on to Scottsdale Community College, where he played pick-up football games around campus. In 1987, he walked on to the Glendale Community College football team. In 1988, after going 1-8 the previous season, the team had a 10-0 record and won the National Junior College Athletic Association's Championship. Mays missed 6 games with a broken collarbone, registering 7 receptions with an average of 37.5 yards per catch.
The University of Missouri offered him a scholarship because of his explosive speed. In 1989, he had 26 receptions for 372 yards and 2 touchdowns.
As a senior, he was a part of an offense that became the most productive passing game in the Big 8 Conference history, setting records for attempts, completions and passing yards. It also set or tied 28 school passing records. Mays posted 26 receptions for 524 yards, 5 touchdowns and a 20.2-yard average. He had his best game against the University of Colorado, with 5 receptions for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Professional career

Mays was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 9th round of the 1991 NFL Draft, because he was timed as the second fastest player behind Raghib Ismail. He was waived on August 20.
On May 18, 1992, he signed with the Houston Oilers who had implemented the run and shoot offense. He suffered a separated shoulder in a preseason game against the Cowboys, which put him on the injured reserve list. In 1993, he was on the inactive list for most of the season. He was released on August 22, 1994.
On April 20, 1995, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On August 21, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a shoulder injury. He was cut on August 19, 1996.
On August 20, 1996, he was claimed by the Washington Redskins, reuniting with Norv Turner who was his offensive coordinator with the Cowboys. He was declared inactive in 5 games. He was released on October 7.