Jimmy Hay's long association with the Falcons began as a ball boy for the team when he was 12 years old. His experience in the equipment room started in 1990 as he helped out after school each day. Hay served an internship with the department in 1995 and was hired full-time in 1997. During the spring of 1996 and 1997, he worked in NFL Europe as Assistant Equipment Manager with the Frankfurt Galaxy and as equipment manager of the Amsterdam Admirals.
A Georgia native, Hay was an all-county selection as a third baseman for the North Gwinnett High School baseball team.
He and his wife, Heidi, reside in Sugar Hill, Georgia with sons, Mike and Jake.