Pinney is a former NFL offensive tackle and guard who played seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 1976 NFL Draft and was the Steelers’ starting right tackle in Super Bowl XIII.

Pinney played in the USFL, won the 1983 USFL Championship as a starting tackle for the Michigan Panthers and played for the Oakland Invaders in 1985. Ray returned to the Steelers after the USFL went defunct in 1985, where he remained until he finished his playing days in 1987.