| Ray Coates | |
| Position: | Halfback |
| Birth Date: | May 8, 1924 |
| Birth Place: | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Death Place: | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 1 |
| Weight Lbs: | 195 |
| High School: | Jesuit (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
| College: | LSU |
| Draftyear: | 1948 |
| Draftround: | 8 |
| Draftpick: | 57 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Pfr: | CoatRa20 |
Rayford Jerald Coates (May 8, 1924 – July 3, 2013) was a professional American football player. He played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) as a halfback for the New York Giants. He attended Louisiana State University, where he played college football for the LSU Tigers football team.[1] He was MVP of the 1947 Cotton Bowl. He was also a member of LSU's 1946 SEC championship baseball team. For five decades he held the LSU record for longest punt, at 76-yards against Rice in 1944.[2]
He scored four touchdowns in his professional career: three rushing in 1948 and one receiving in 1949.[3] He also threw a touchdown pass in 1948, and recorded an interception and four fumble recoveries on defense in 1949.[1]