ALWAYS LENDING A HELPING HAND AVENGERS CENTER RAY USED TO TAKING CARE OF OTHERS.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

When Avengers lineman Fred Ray didn't catch on with an NFL team after college, he made a concerted effort to move on with his life.

Ray lost 60 pounds, down from his playing weight of 310, and landed a job with the state of Florida as a public assistance specialist. He interviewed candidates for welfare and food stamps and made just $23,000 a year.

It was no coincidence that he entered a field to try to help others. His mother, Barbara, is a nurse. His grandmother and great-grandmother were too.

While working out one day, he was spotted by a former high school coach who told him of open tryouts for the Orlando Predators. He was a hit at the tryout, made the team and helped Orlando win the Arena Football League championship his rookie year in 2000.

He signed with the Avengers in the offseason, but his top priority is still helping others. Ray is on sabbatical from his day job as an Orlando high school assistant football coach and teacher for students with special needs.

``Fred's like the uncle on the team,'' Avengers lineman Bernard Riley said. ``He's been around the block. He's always willing to lend a helping hand. He's always looking out for everybody and he tries not to hurt anyone in practice.''

Ray, 29, is back to a playing weight of 315 pounds and is the center for the Avengers, who are tied for first place in the Western Division. He's also a durable defensive lineman.

Today he returns to his hometown, where he will have a cheering section of about 100 people, including his family, students and friends. One of those students called him from class the other day, just to let Ray know he was OK.

``I think the thing I learned is that you've got to be patient because not everybody thinks the same way you do,'' Ray said. ``My mom told me that. She always reminds me that you have to accept people for who they are.''

Ray has done everything from bagging groceries and cleaning bathrooms - he was so good at it that the local supermarket stopped rotating the loathed duty and Ray obliged - and he volunteered with his mom at an early age. After his grandmother died, Ray's mom spent Thanksgiving with her siblings and Fred cooked for his dad, Fred Sr., and sister, Ashley.

``With me being a nurse and taking care of children, he's always realized people are unfortunate and should be grateful that they can do what they do,'' Barbara Ray said. ``He's always been a good kid. He works hard and he's concerned for others.''

Not only is Ray concerned for quarterback John Kaleo on the field, he worries about his teammates off the field as the team's unofficial cook. He recently called his mom and pulled her out of a meeting to double-check the ingredients in her Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Teammates were waiting. He also grills and has a homemade recipe for macaroni and cheese.

Teammates chip in for food, and Ray joked that rookie quarterback Ryan Van Dyke has yet to cook a meal this season.

Ray laughs that he's even here. He didn't know much about the Arena Football League but now is one of the league's most respected centers.

Ray played at Howard University and, after a chance encounter, impressed at the tryout in Orlando by running a 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds. Those tryouts usually serve as entertainment for the coaching staff, but Ray dominated in line drills.

Avengers coach Ed Hodgkiss couldn't have been more excited to sign the free agent.

``He brings a certain attitude and experience,'' Hodgkiss said. ``He thinks we should win and the more guys you have like that, the better you are.''

Ray, whose nickname is ``Tank'', was out with a broken bone in his neck the first four games of the season, and the Avengers had problems with the center snap. But he's been a steady influence since his return.

On Saturday, Ray was scheduled to drive teammates around in his monster truck for an official Orlando tour. And maybe he'll bring his championship ring.

``When we win one here, it will be something you can never take away,'' Ray said. ``You can look at that ring and remind yourself, I'm 29 and I'm playing this game. I love it.''

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Avengers center Fred Ray won an AFL championship in 2000 with the Orlando Predators.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Box:

AVENGERS at ORLANDO

- Jill Painter