In the fall of 1995, Clay was a member of the Junior Varsity football team at Forney High School. One day in late August, the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams were working through drills on the practice field just behind Forney High School, which was the site of football practice for the Forney Jackrabbits every day during the fall. However, on this day, the focus of the players and coaches would quickly turn away from the impending football season.

In the blink of an eye, lightning struck the practice field and sent the entire team plummeting to the earth. The majority of these players quickly regained their bearings and fled to the protection of the nearby field house. However, a few of them were injured and remained on the ground. Very shortly, it was clear that the aftershocks of this tragic event would not be limited to injuries and shaken nerves. This strike of lightning took the life of Clay Jones and changed the lives of everyone around him forever.