Lester Hayes

Last updated

Lester Hayes
No. 37
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1955-01-22) January 22, 1955 (age 69)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Wheatley
(Houston, Texas)
College: Texas A&M
NFL draft: 1977  / round: 5 / pick: 126
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:39
Interception yards:572
Fumble recoveries:7
Defensive touchdowns:5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Lester Craig Hayes (born January 22, 1955) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL).

Contents

Hayes was commonly referred to as "the Judge" and "Lester the Molester " because of his bump-and-run coverage. [1] He had a distinct stance, crouching very low when facing the opposing wide receiver. He was also known for using stickum before it was banned in 1981 by a rule bearing his name. He had been introduced to it by Fred Biletnikoff, who unlike Hayes, has made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame; Hayes shares the all-time club record in interceptions with 39 with Willie Brown. [2] Hayes' season with 13 interceptions in 1980 is tied for second-most in a season all-time and the most in the last 40 seasons. [3]

College career

In college starting in 1973, Hayes played for the Texas A&M Aggies. He first played defensive end as a freshman and then linebacker and safety as a sophomore. During his junior and senior years, Hayes settled in as a safety and became an All-American for his play at safety. [4]

Professional career

Hayes was converted to cornerback after being chosen by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 1977 draft. Hayes helped contribute to the Raiders' two Super Bowl wins in 1980 and 1983. Hayes was a one-time All-Pro (1980) and a five-time Pro Bowler (1980–1984).

Hayes was known as one of the greatest shutdown cornerbacks in NFL history. In 1980, he led the NFL with 13 interceptions, tied for second-most with Dan Sandifer, who had set it in 1948, and behind Dick "Night Train" Lane with 14 in 1952, and was named AP Defensive Player of the Year [5] and the NEA Defensive Player of the Year. Hayes added five more interceptions in Oakland's three playoff games, as they advanced to a victory in Super Bowl XV

A big Star Wars fan, during pregame interviews for Super Bowl XVIII, Hayes declared himself the "only true Jedi" in the NFL. [6] His best performance was probably in Super Bowl XVIII. Hayes had only one tackle, but that was because he so effectively covered Charlie Brown and Art Monk that Joe Theismann hardly threw to the left side of the field. [7] During his last four seasons, he formed a partnership with Mike Haynes that has been considered one of the best in league history. Hayes and Haynes gave the Raiders the luxury of having two shutdown corners. They are widely reckoned as being the prototypes for a generation of speedy and physical cornerbacks. [8]

Hayes retired after the 1986 season with a total of 39 interceptions (including four defensive touchdowns), a Raider record shared with Hall of Famer Willie Brown. He moved to Modesto, California in 1994 for a more "quiet life." [9]

In 2012, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Hayes to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2012. [10]

Stickum usage

Hayes was introduced to Stickum, an adhesive substance used by players to improve their grip, in his 1977 rookie season by Hall of Fame wide receiver and teammate Fred Biletnikoff. Instead of just applying a small amount to his hands, though, he began to slather it all over his arms and even his uniform, drawing more and more attention to it. [11] Hayes later described the influence the adhesive had on his career, saying that before being introduced to it in his rookie year, he "couldn't catch a cold in Antarctica". [12]

The use of Stickum was banned by the NFL after the 1980 season. In the six seasons that Hayes played following the banning of Stickum, he had 14 total interceptions, compared to the 25 that he had in his first four seasons. However, he was named to the Pro Bowl and selected as a second-team All-Pro four times after 1980. [13] Hayes later stated that alongside lingering thumb injuries, the Stickum ban contributed to a decline in his later career. [12] Fred Biletnikoff and Jerry Rice, both of whom have admitted their usage of Stickum, have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while Hayes has not been. [14] He was a finalist four times (2001–2004) and a semifinalist six times (2005–2010).

Related Research Articles

The second AFL–NFL World Championship Game was an American football game played on January 14, 1968, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The National Football League (NFL)'s defending champion Green Bay Packers defeated American Football League (AFL) champion Oakland Raiders by the score of 33–14. This game and the following year's are the only two Super Bowls played in the same stadium in consecutive seasons.

Super Bowl XI was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Oakland Raiders and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Minnesota Vikings to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for its 1976 season. The Raiders defeated the Vikings by the score of 32–14 to win their first Super Bowl. The game was played on January 9, 1977, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This remains the earliest scheduled calendar date for a Super Bowl; and the most recent Super Bowl to begin before 4:00 p.m. ET.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XV</span> 1981 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XV was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Oakland Raiders and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Philadelphia Eagles to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1980 season. The Raiders defeated the Eagles by the score of 27–10, becoming the first wild card playoff team to win a Super Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XVIII</span> 1984 edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XVIII was an American football game played on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion and defending Super Bowl XVII champion Washington Redskins and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Los Angeles Raiders to determine the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1983 season. The Raiders defeated the Redskins, 38–9. The Raiders' 38 points scored and 29-point margin of victory broke Super Bowl records; it remains the most points scored by an AFC team in a Super Bowl, later matched by the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. This is the first time the city of Tampa hosted the Super Bowl and was the AFC's last Super Bowl win until Super Bowl XXXII, won by the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Woodson</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Roderick Kevin Woodson is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. Widely considered one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time, Woodson holds the NFL record for fumble recoveries (32) by a defensive player, and interceptions returned for touchdown (12). He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interception</span> American football play in which a defensive player catches a pass, resulting in a turnover

In ball-playing competitive team sports, an interception or pick is a move by a player involving a pass of the ball—whether by foot or hand, depending on the rules of the sport—in which the ball is intended for a player of the same team but caught or otherwise brought under control by a player of the opposing team, who thereby usually gains possession of the ball for their team. It is commonly seen in football, including American and Canadian football, as well as association football, rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, as well as any sport by which a loose object is passed between players toward a goal. In basketball, this is called a steal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Woodson</span> American football player (born 1976)

Charles Cameron Woodson is an American former professional football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons with the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers. He spent his first 14 seasons as a cornerback and his final four as a safety. Woodson played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, three times selected to the All-Big Ten team, twice earning All-American honors. As a junior, he was a national champion and the Heisman Trophy winner in 1997. To date, he is the only defensive player in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Biletnikoff</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1943)

Frederick Biletnikoff, nicknamed "Scarecrow", is an American former professional football player and coach. He played as a wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons and later was an assistant coach with the team. He retired as an NFL player after the 1978 season, and then played one additional season in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Montreal Alouettes in 1980. While he lacked the breakaway speed to be a deep-play threat, Biletnikoff was one of the most sure-handed and consistent receivers of his day, with a propensity for making spectacular catches. He was also known for running smooth, precise pass routes. He is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988) and College Football Hall of Fame (1991).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeneas Williams</span> American football player (born 1968)

Aeneas Demetrius Williams is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the Southern Jaguars and was selected in the third round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Phoenix Cardinals, where he spent 10 seasons. During his final four seasons, he was a member of the St. Louis Rams. Williams received eight Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors, as well as being on the second NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Hendricks</span> Guatemalan-born American football player (born 1947)

Theodore Paul Hendricks, nicknamed "the Mad Stork," is a Guatemalan-American former professional football linebacker who played for 15 seasons with the Baltimore Colts, the Green Bay Packers, and the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League (NFL).

Michael James Haynes is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Raiders. Regarded as one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time, he used his speed, physicality, quickness and range to become both an elite defensive back and an outstanding punt returner. Haynes was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997. He was also named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994, as well the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019 for his accomplishments during his 14-year career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Brown (American football)</span> American football player, coach and administrator (1940–2019)

William Ferdie Brown was an American professional football player, coach and administrator. He played as a cornerback for the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League (AFL) and later in the National Football League (NFL). Following his playing career, Brown remained with the Raiders as an assistant coach. He served as the head football coach at California State University, Long Beach in 1991, the final season before the school's football program was terminated. Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1984. At the time of his death he was on the Raiders' administrative staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick LeBeau</span> American football player and coach (born 1937)

Charles Richard LeBeau is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL) He was active at field level in the NFL for 59 consecutive seasons, 14 playing as a cornerback with the Detroit Lions and 45 as a coach. LeBeau spent the majority of his coaching career as a defensive assistant, most notably as the defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Described as an "innovator" and "defensive football genius", he is considered to be one of the greatest defensive coordinators of all time.

Everson Collins Walls is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 seasons, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He was also a three-time All-Pro selection. Walls won a Super Bowl with the Giants after the 1990 season. He played college football for the Grambling State Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Riley</span> American football player (1947–2020)

Kenneth Jerome Riley was an American professional football cornerback who spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals, first in the American Football League (AFL) in 1969 and then the National Football League (NFL) from 1970 through 1983. Riley recorded 65 interceptions in his career, which was the fourth most in NFL history at the time of his retirement. Despite his accomplishments, he was never an exceptionally well-known or popular player. Riley was never once selected to play in the AFL All-Star Game or the Pro Bowl, but he was selected to three All-Pro teams.

James Marsalis is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for nine seasons in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL).

Kevin Rey Smith is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, earning consensus All-American honors in 1991. Smith won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Oakland Raiders season</span> NFL team season (won Super Bowl)

The 1980 season was the Oakland Raiders' 21st since they were founded, their 11th in the National Football League (NFL) and their second under head coach Tom Flores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Maxwell</span> American football player (born 1947)

Tommy Marshall Maxwell is a former American football player. After playing college football at Texas A&M, he spent six seasons playing in the National Football League (NFL). In his second season, he helped the Baltimore Colts win Super Bowl V.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herb Adderley</span> American gridiron football player (1939–2020)

Herbert Anthony Adderley was an American professional football cornerback who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). In 1980, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

References

  1. ↑ "Video". CNN. October 5, 1981. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010.
  2. ↑ Lester Hayes NFL Hall of Fame Sports Illustrated[ dead link ]
  3. ↑ "NFL Interceptions Single-Season Leaders (Since 1940)". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  4. ↑ "Today in Aggie History: Football great Lester Hayes was born". My Aggie Nation.com. BH Media Group, Inc. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  5. ↑ Lowitt, Bruce (January 8, 1981). "Lester Hayes picks off defensive player award". Beaver County Times. Associated Press. p. B-1. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  6. ↑ Super Bowl by the Bay, p.51, (c)1984 by Bohn & Bland Publishers, Inc.
  7. ↑ McGinn, Bob (2009). The Ultimate Super Bowl Book . Minneapolis: MVP Books. ISBN   978-0-7603-3651-9.
  8. ↑ "Before Revis and Cromartie there was Haynes and Hayes". The New York Times . September 24, 2011.
  9. ↑ Kroichick, Ron (December 31, 2000). "Hayes Now Leads the Quiet Life / Former scourge of the..." SFGATE. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Hall of Very Good Class of 2012". Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  11. ↑ Kaplan, Emily (July 14, 2015). "History of the NFL in 95 Objects: Stickum". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  12. 1 2 Kroichick, Ron (December 31, 2000). "Hayes Now Leads the Quiet Life / Former scourge of the secondary has exchanged partying for religion". SFGATE. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ Chadiha, Jeffri (August 9, 2007). "Notorious image sticks with these Raiders". ESPN. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Jerry Rice on stickum use: 'All players did it'". February 7, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.