17. Lester Hayes

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Many Hall of Fame candidates watch their push for the Hall build and build. This doesn’t seem to be the case for Lester Hayes who was a finalist in his first four years of eligibility but has only been a semi-finalist six years there after.

Lester Hayes is best known for two things. The first was in 1980 where he had 13 picks and won the Defensive Player of the Year award. The year after the “Lester Hayes” rules were put into effect banning players from the use of “stickum”, an adhesive that Hayes was using to get a better grip on the ball. Hayes was more than that, with hs bump and run coverage and route distruption showing few peers in professional football.

Hayes' 1980 season was so good that he was forever associated with thet year.. Had he had another monster year, perhaps he would not be seeing his chances diminish as appears to be happening now. Regardless, Hayes was a main contributoir on a Super Bow Championshp team where he was a prme defensive player. That enough, places him ahead of other Hall of Fame candidates.

Should Lester Hayes be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 89.2%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 5.2%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 3%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 2.6%

The Bullet Points

Country of Origin: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Eligible Since: Wednesday, 01 January 1992
Position: Cornerback
Games Played: 149
Notable Statistics: 39 Interceptions
572 Interception Return Yards
4 Interception Return Touchdowns
7 Fumble Recoveries
39 Fumble Recovery Yards
1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
1.0 Quarterback Sack*
5 Kick Returns
57 Kick Return Yards
91 Approximate Value

8 Interceptions
107 Interception Return Yards
2 Interception Return Touchdowns
2.0 Quarterback Sacks*

*Quarterback Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.
Played For: Los Angeles Raiders, Oakland Raiders
College: Texas A&M - Kingville
Drafted: 5th Round, 126th Overall in 1977
Major Accolades and Awards: Super Bowl Rings (2) (Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, Super Bowl XV & XVII)
AP Defensive Player of the Year (1) (1980)
UPI Defensive Player of the Year (1) (1980)
NFL 1980’s All-Decade Team
First Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1980)
Second Team All-Pro Selection (5) (1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 & 1984)
Pro Bowl Selections (5) (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 & 1984)
Highest Approximate Value (1) (1980)
Most Interceptions (1) (1980)
Most Interception Return Yards (1) (1980)
Other Points of Note: Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (1) (1980)
Top Ten Finishes: Fumble Return Yards (1) (1986)
Top Ten Finishes: Interceptions (2) (1979 & 1980)
Top Ten Finishes: Interception Return Yards (1) (1980)
Notable All Time Rankings: 85. Interceptions: 39
Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: Finalist: 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004
Semi Finalist: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010