William Gay (cornerback)

William Gay (born January 1, 1985 ) is an American football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Louisville.

Gay has also played for the Arizona Cardinals.

College career
Gay played college football at the University of Louisville where he played in 46 games recording 134 tackles. Gay is also somewhat notable for being offside as a defender on a field goal kick attempt in the final minute of Louisville's game against Rutgers in 2006. Although the kick was unsuccessful, a penalty was called against Louisville that provided the kicker with a second attempt. This one was successful. As a result, Louisville experienced their only loss of the season, effectively ending their bid for a National Championship game berth.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Gay was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round (170th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft. He had a 4.48 for his 40 time at the combine. In his first preseason game he intercepted a Tyler Palko pass and tackled Saints first round draft pick Robert Meachem. In his rookie year he played in 16 games recording 19 tackles. In his second year, he saw more significant playing time after injuries to cornerbacks Bryant McFadden and Deshea Townsend. Gay contributed to the Steelers' stingy defense, which was the first in the league in pass defense and best total defense. Gay also contributes on special teams. After the loss of Bryant McFadden in 2009, Gay assumed the starting duties at cornerback for the 2009 season opposite Ike Taylor.

Arizona Cardinals
On March 25, 2012, Gay signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Gay was released on March 1, 2013.

Second stint with Steelers
Gay signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 4, 2013.

Jim Rome Show
Gay's cry of "Yeah!" that he made during the Steeler's Super Bowl XLIII victory parade, was edited into a popular Jim Rome Radio Show sound-bite on February 4, 2009. This made the previously famous "Triple-Yeah!" into a "Quad-Yeah!" featuring Mark Madsen (formerly an L.A. Laker), Joe Namath (during his drunken interview with Suzy Kolber), Howard Dean (the famous "Dean Scream"), and Gay's victory parade "Yeah!".

Personal Information
Gay's mother was a victim of domestic violence when he was 7 years old. Apparently, Gay and his siblings knew nothing about the domestic violence occurring in his home, but at the urging of other family members, and out of fear for her children, she left her partner --the father of Gay's brother. While she was at a friend's house shortly after leaving, her partner arrived at the friend's house and shot her three times. The partner then went back to his car and killed himself. In an effort to keep them together his grandmother took the brothers in and raised them. He shared his story in a video for the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh in an attempt to spread the word on domestic violence.