John Clay

John Clay (born January 4, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent after the 2011 NFL draft.

In high school, he received numerous awards for his accomplishments on the field at Washington Park High School, being named to the Racine County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, and was one of the most heavily recruited players in the country. Clay was ruled ineligible to play by the NCAA after not meeting Wisconsin admission requirements before being ruled eligible for the 2008 season.

High school Clay attended Washington Park High School in Racine, Wisconsin. He was named a high school All-American in 2006 and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl game. A 4-star recruit, he committed to Wisconsin on national signing day after declining offers from Tennessee, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Iowa.

Professional career On January 7, 2011, Clay announced he would forgo his senior season to enter the 2011 NFL draft.

Clay went undrafted in the 2011 NFL draft.

Clay was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on July 26, 2011. He waived for final cuts on September 2, 2011 but was re-signed two days later to the practice squad. On December 23, 2011, he was added to the team's active roster. He scored his first touchdown on his first carry in the NFL on December 24, 2011, a 10-yard score.

Clay was waived/injured on August 14, 2012, but subsequently reverted to injured reserve on August 16. He was given an injury settlement and released from injured reserve on August 20.