Lester Hayes facts for kids

Lester Craig Hayes, born on January 22, 1955, is a former American football player. He was a talented cornerback for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Hayes was known for his unique playing style and for being a key part of the Raiders' success. He helped his team win two Super Bowl championships.

Hayes had a very distinct way of playing. He would crouch low when facing an opposing wide receiver. He was also famous for using a sticky substance called stickum. This substance was later banned by the NFL in 1981. Hayes shares the Raiders' record for most interceptions with 39, tied with Willie Brown. In 1980, Hayes made 13 interceptions, which is one of the highest numbers ever in a single season.

College Football Days

Lester Hayes started his college football journey in 1973. He played for the Texas A&M Aggies. In his first year, he played as a defensive end. Later, he moved to linebacker and safety. During his junior and senior years, he became a star safety. His excellent play earned him the title of an All-American.

Professional Career Highlights

After college, the Raiders picked Hayes in the 1977 NFL draft. He was chosen in the fifth round. The Raiders then changed his position to cornerback. This turned out to be a great move!

Hayes played a big role in the Raiders winning two Super Bowls. They won in 1980 and in 1983. He was named an All-Pro player in 1980. He also played in the Pro Bowl five times, from 1980 to 1984.

Many people consider Hayes one of the best "shutdown cornerbacks" in NFL history. A shutdown cornerback is a player who can stop the other team's best receivers. In 1980, he led the NFL with 13 interceptions. This amazing performance earned him the AP Defensive Player of the Year award. He also made five more interceptions during the playoffs that year, helping the Raiders win Super Bowl XV.

The "Stickum" Story

Lester Hayes was introduced to Stickum during his first year with the Raiders in 1977. Stickum was a sticky substance that players used to help them grip the ball better. His teammate, Fred Biletnikoff, showed him how to use it.

Hayes didn't just put a little bit on his hands. He would put it all over his arms and even his uniform! This made a lot of people notice. Hayes later said that before he used Stickum, he "couldn't catch a cold in Antarctica." This shows how much he felt it helped his catching ability.

After the 1980 season, the NFL decided to ban Stickum. Even after the ban, Hayes continued to play well. He was still chosen for the Pro Bowl four times. He also earned second-team All-Pro honors four times. Hayes believed that the Stickum ban, along with some thumb injuries, affected his performance later in his career.

Life After Football

Lester Hayes retired from football after the 1986 season. He finished his career with 39 interceptions. This is a record for the Raiders, shared with Hall of Famer Willie Brown. He also scored four defensive touchdowns.

In 1994, Hayes moved to Modesto, California. He said he wanted a "quiet life" away from the spotlight. In 2012, the Professional Football Researchers Association recognized Hayes. They named him to their Hall of Very Good Class of 2012.

Hayes was a big fan of Star Wars. Before Super Bowl XVIII, he even joked that he was the "only true Jedi" in the NFL! His performance in Super Bowl XVIII was excellent. He covered the opposing receivers so well that the other team's quarterback hardly threw the ball his way. In his last four seasons, he teamed up with Mike Haynes. They formed one of the best cornerback duos in football history. They were known for being fast and strong players.