Former Arizona Wildcats standout Heath Bray, a prominent figure in the development of the celebrated âDesert Swarmâ era, has died per social media posts from his brother, Aaron Bray, and friends of Heath Bray. He was 54.
Bray, a Gastonia, North Carolina, native, was a defensive back, quarterback and special teams captain for Arizona under late UA coaching icon Dick Tomey from 1988-92 and was a part of building the Desert Swarm defense that had defensive linemen Rob Waldrop and Tedy Bruschi, two College Football Hall of Famers.
Bray was part of an Arizona team that took down top-ranked Washington in Tucson in 1992, snapping the Huskiesâ 22-game winning streak. Arizonaâs win over UW in â92 is the last time the Wildcats have beaten a No. 1-ranked team. Bray also played linebacker and quarterback for the Wildcats. Before Arizona beat Washington, Bray quarterbacked the Wildcats against the No. 1-ranked Miami Hurricanes on the road and nearly won earlier in 1992, falling to Miami 8-7 at the Orange Bowl.
Former Arizona State Sun Devil Juan Roque posted on Facebook: âYou know we take the Territorial Cup rivalry very seriously especially when we played in it. However off the field we get to know one another and become dear friends. Yes, we trash-talk during the yearly showdown, but in the end itâs all love between us old guys, whether Sun Devils or Wildcats. When we lose someone from either side it stings us all. ... Iâm gonna miss him.â
In his post-playing career, Bray was a financial advisor and specialized in wealth management, retirement planning and risk management and lived in the Phoenix area. His son, Mason Bray, was a standout quarterback for Scottsdale Saguaro High School. The younger Bray threw for 2,897 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in two seasons at Saguaro and quarterbacked the Sabercats to a Class 6A state championship in December.
