Wray Carlton

Linwood Wray Carlton (born June 18, 1937) is an American former professional football player who played running back in both Canada and the United States. He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils.

After being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1959 NFL draft, Carlton was unable to come to terms with the team and instead traveled to the Canadian Football League, signing with the Toronto Argonauts. His Canadian career lasted only four games before he declined a trade to Vancouver, British Columbia, and returned home.

Carlton found his opportunity with the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League. In his early years with the team, he formed a productive backfield tandem, first with Elbert "Golden Wheels" Dubenion and later with Carlton Chester "Cookie" Gilchrist. On September 18, 1960, in Buffalo's home opener, a 27–21 loss to the Denver Broncos, Carlton scored the team's first touchdown in the second quarter on a one-yard run. In the Bills' first season, he gained 1,010 yards from scrimmage—533 rushing and 477 receiving—along with 11 touchdowns. Carlton briefly retired following the 1963 season but re-signed with the Bills in July.