Hattiesburg, Mississippi - Ray Guy, the greatest punter in the history of the NFL and an Oakland Raiders icon, passed away Thursday morning.

Guy, a member of the NFL’s 100 All-Time Team, died at 72 following a lengthy illness.

His death was confirmed by his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi.

A man of many firsts, Guy was the first punter ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft when the Raiders chose him as the 23rd-overall pick as a product of Southern Mississippi football in 1973.

The three-time Super Bowl champion also became the first punter inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, as well as first punter to enter the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

John Madden, the late NFL legend and former Raiders coach, one called Ray "the best of all time."

While there are many debates about the greatest player in just about every football position, no one will argue with Madden's choice as far as punters goes.

Guy wasn't just any player of the gridiron, but a pioneer who faced many hardships as a punter-position athlete.

Often times overlooked, he was a finalist for the Hall of Fame induction seven times since 1992 before finally receiving the honor 22 years later.

Much of the controversial discussions included whether punters were "real" football players, though they suit up like every other player of every other position.

Guy revolutionized the game like no one else before him.

The seven time Pro Bowl player brought a unique level of athleticism to the position and even played as the Raiders' emergency quarterback at times.

A multi-sport athlete, Guy was drafted four different times by MLB teams as a pitcher but ultimately, stuck with football as he believed it was it purpose to fulfill.

"I was a good athlete and could have been a Major League pitcher or an NBA basketball player, but I knew God had something special for me," Guy said during his Hall of Fame induction speech.

"And eventually one sport would stand out beyond the rest, and it did. Playing in the NFL with the Raiders was my destiny, and I never looked back or questioned my decision."