Clifford Ray was a lauded Center on the Golden State Warriors in 1978, having helped the team win an NBA title in 1975. He was also a friend of Mary O’Heron, the public relations director of Redwood City, California’s Marine World, according to The New York Times. One day, some Marine World staff were cleaning the dolphin tank when a large bolt got loose and fell into the water. One of the dolphins, Mr. Spock, saw the movement before the others, understandably thought the bolt was a fish, and down the dolphin hatch it went. Mr. Spock was soon thereafter removed from the tank because his swimming motions would swish the bolt around and cause him serious internal injuries. Veterinarians were reluctant to perform potentially traumatic surgery, but didn’t have an instrument long enough to reach down into Mr. Spock’s stomach to retrieve the troublesome bolt.
O’Heron immediately thought of her friend, Ray, whose arms were said to be just under four feet long each. Ray explained to USA Today Sports that his long arms gave him an advantage on the court. “I wasn’t 6-10 or 6-11,” he said, “so my wingspan enabled me to play with a lot of bigger guys.” Ray was recently out of rehab for an injury, and was about to rejoin his Warriors teammates when he got the call requesting him and his formidable wingspan at Marine World.
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