Lester Hayes facts for kids

Lester Craig Hayes (born January 22, 1955) is a former American football player. He was a cornerback for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League (NFL).

Hayes holds the Raiders' team record for most regular-season interceptions, with 39. He shares this record with Willie Brown. His eight playoff interceptions are among the most in NFL history. In 1980, he had 13 interceptions, which is one of the highest single-season totals ever. Hayes helped the Raiders win two Super Bowls: in 1980 and in 1983. He was chosen as an All-Pro player and a Pro Bowler five times between 1980 and 1984.

College Football Career

Lester Hayes started playing college football in 1973 for the Texas A&M Aggies. As a freshman, he played defensive end. In his second year, he played linebacker and safety.

During his junior and senior years, Hayes became a full-time safety. He was recognized as an All-American player.

The "Judge" Nickname

Hayes earned the nickname "The Judge" in 1975. This happened after a game against their rivals, the Texas Longhorns. Hayes had predicted that their star player, Earl Campbell, would have a quiet game. Campbell gained 23 yards, just a little more than Hayes predicted.

Hayes intercepted 14 passes during his college career at Texas A&M. He returned these for 189 yards and scored one touchdown. This ranks him second in school history for interceptions.

Professional Football Career

The Raiders picked Lester Hayes in the fifth round of the 1977 NFL draft. Coach John Madden changed his position from safety to cornerback.

Hayes became famous for his unique playing style called "bump-and-run coverage." This style was highly valued by the team's executive, Al Davis. Hayes also had a very low, crouching stance when he faced opposing wide receivers.

A Top Cornerback

Lester Hayes was known as one of the best "shutdown cornerbacks" in NFL history. A shutdown cornerback is a player who can stop the other team's best receivers from catching passes. Even Deion Sanders, another famous cornerback, said Hayes was a big influence on him.

In 1980, Hayes led the NFL with 13 regular-season interceptions. This was tied for the second-most ever in a single season at that time. He was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year for his amazing performance.

Hayes continued his great play in the 1980 playoffs, adding five more interceptions. The Raiders went on to win Super Bowl XV. His performance in Super Bowl XVIII was also outstanding. He covered the opposing receivers so well that their quarterback hardly threw the ball to their side of the field.

Teaming Up with Mike Haynes

In his last four seasons, Hayes played alongside Mike Haynes. They formed one of the best cornerback duos in NFL history. Having both Hayes and Haynes meant the Raiders had two players who could shut down the other team's passing game. They are seen as examples for many fast and strong cornerbacks who came after them.

Hayes retired after the 1986 season. He finished his career with 39 regular-season interceptions, including four touchdowns. He also had eight playoff interceptions, which is still one of the highest totals in NFL postseason history.

In 2012, the Professional Football Researchers Association recognized Hayes. They named him to their Hall of Very Good Class of 2012.

The Stickum Rule

Lester Hayes was known for using a sticky substance called Stickum. This substance helped players improve their grip on the ball. Hayes started using it in his rookie year, putting it on his arms and even his uniform. He once joked that before using Stickum, he "couldn't catch a cold in Antarctica."

Because of how much Hayes used it and how effective it was, the NFL banned Stickum in 1981. This new rule was sometimes called the "Lester Hayes Rule."

After the ban, Hayes still played well. He had 14 interceptions in the six seasons after 1980. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl and as a second-team All-Pro four times during this period. Hayes later said that the Stickum ban, along with thumb injuries, affected his play later in his career.

Personal Life

When he was younger, Lester Hayes had a stutter. In 1981, he worked with speech pathologists to overcome this speech impediment. He learned to speak more slowly and lower his voice.

Hayes was a big fan of Star Wars. Before Super Bowl XVIII, he famously called himself the "only true Jedi" in the NFL.

In 1994, he moved to Modesto, California, looking for a quieter life.