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There have been some absolutely great cornerbacks in the National Football League over the years. While playing arguably the most demanding position in football, men like Detroit’s Lem Barney, brought style and swag to the position in the late 60s, and Deion Sanders took it to another level in the 90s.
Barney, Sanders, and men such as Mike Haynes, Emmitt Thomas, Aneas Williams and Dick ‘Night Trane’ Lane all have one thing in common. They are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As great as those players were, none of them had a thing on Lester Hayes. A fifth-round draft pick by the Oakland Raiders in 1977 out of Texas A&M, the Houston, Texas native quickly established himself as one of the finest cornerbacks in the NFL.
Hayes played 10 seasons (77-1986) and finished with 39 interceptions. However, stats do not begin to tell the story of Hayes’ impact on the game. He was formidable. There would be weeks that he never even had a pass thrown to his side of the field. Think of how that made the Raiders defense that much better knowing that half the field would not even be in play.
Standing 6-feet tall, and weighing 200 pounds, Hayes would be considered a big cornerback even by today’s standards. His size and strength made him as effective against the run as he was against the pass. He also mastered the corner blitz that led to several quarterback sacks. Unfortunately, sacks were not recorded during his career.
In 1980, he had arguably the greatest season of any cornerback in the history of the game. Hayes picked off 13 passes, recovered two fumbles, and shut down every receiver he faced. He was named the NFL Defensive Players of the Year, and helped the Raiders win the Super Bowl. During the Raiders’ four game playoff run to the Super XV victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, Hayes intercepted five more passes.
Hayes was famous for applying the ‘stickem’ glue to his hands, as did the receivers of that time. Detractors punish Hayes for using the substance, but it was perfectly legal during the time. The stickem had nothing to do with the timing and knowledge of the game that put him in position to intercept those passes. Linked is a marvelous video of Hayes in action.
Hey Rickey how are you thanks for the history, I do remember him being a redskin fan I did not follow him alot. This country has not changed and will not, the powers that be know he should have been in by now so its the same old same. What other player plyed as well duing his time, so you come up with an idea or hear of one that help further his cause let me know. PEACE AND BLESSINGS BRO
Thanks, Alforis. Lester was a beast.