Blenda Gay


Blenda Glen Gay was a defensive end in the National Football League. He played three seasons in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles and is notable for his 1976 murder by his wife Roxanne.

Biography

Blenda Gay attended H. B. Sugg High School in Farmville, North Carolina. After high school, he attended Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. There he started on the football team winning all-CIAA and Division II All-American.
Gay was drafted in the 1973 NFL supplemental draft by the Oakland Raiders but was cut in training camp. He was picked up in 1974 by the San Diego Chargers and saw action in two games. He had also played for a semi-pro football team called the Model City Diplomats for $75 per game.
In 1975, Gay was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles where he became a regular fixture on the defensive line for two seasons. Gay played in every regular season game for the Eagles in both 1975 and 1976.

Murder

In December, 1976, Roxanne Gay cut her husband's throat as he slept, killing him. She was charged with the murder by the Camden County, New Jersey district attorney. Roxanne claimed that the attack on her husband was purely self-defense and alleged that her husband was extremely violent and abusive. Camden police indicated that she had made over 20 calls to the police in three and a half years. Neighbors claimed that after an Eagles' loss, Gay "bounced his wife off the walls". His wife had signed a complaint against Gay after one hospital stay, but later dropped the complaint.
The case became a cause célèbre for the feminist movement due to the allegations of long-term domestic violence. Gloria Steinem and Ms. magazine helped raise money for her defense. Ms. magazine alleged that when Roxanne called the police, officers would often discuss football with Blenda.
A panel of psychiatrists in a sanity hearing found that Blenda Gay had not abused his wife, and Roxanne Gay's attorney admitted there was no evidence that the beatings had occurred. Ultimately, Roxanne Gay was determined to be schizophrenic and confined to the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital. All charges were dropped. She was released in 1980.
Beginning in 1977, there was an annual "Gay Game" held each December. This ceased after the game in 1979.