So I have been badgering you guys for weeks now with ratings, statistics, standard deviations, etc… But just like back in middle school, during holiday weeks math teachers are too lazy to write lesson plans.
Therefore everyone gets the holiday off from any math, calculations, conceptualizing or crunching! Enjoy your turkey, personally I’d prefer an easter egg.
Instead I would like to offer the story about a player, Lester Hayes, who is now known more for his infamy, than for how good a player he was.
Imo, Hayes is a HOF player being kept out because, just like a notorious hoodie wearing coach we all know, he kind went into the grey area when it came to the rules at the time.
Maybe if enough people review Hayes’ stats, the NFL Senior Selection Committee will at least take a look at his career and statistics for HOF consideration.
You can read the full story here: 1980 – The Year Lester Hayes Broke The NFL – The Stickum Saga
TLDR: Just watch the 3 min vid below and you will get the general gist of the Stickum story. However, it does not even begin to touch on how good a player Hayes was.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bypl5bpZF8
There is more to the story, including Hayes’ remarkable 1980 playoff performance and the history of Stickum in the NFL, so I hope you can find the time to read the full article.
Happy Holiday to all celebrating today. Enjoy the time with friends, family & football!
Quick Synopsis
Lester Hayes in the 1980 regular season
- 13 interceptions in the regular season - The modern NFL record that still stands.
- 7 interceptions in a 6 game stretch.
- Streaks of 6 consecutive games and 4 consecutive games with interceptions.
- Picked off at least one pass in 12 games of a 16 game regular season.
- 5 Post season interceptions.
- 18 interceptions in 20 games.
Lester Hayes Career
- Won 1980 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- Won Two Superbowls - 1980, 1983
- 5 time Pro Bowl Selection
- All Pro 1st team once & 2nd team five times
- 39 career interceptions
- 8 career post season interceptions
- 7 fumble recoveries
In the 34 game stretch that began with the final 2 games of 1978, all of 1979, and all of 1980, Lester Hayes recorded 23 Interceptions, for 407 return yards, and 3 Touchdowns. It is a span of modern* defensive cornerback greatness that I can only find one instance that is close to matching it.
In the first 34 games of his career, Everson Walls recorded 22 Interceptions and returned 1 for a touchdown. I could find no other modern* NFL player who could even get close to 20 interceptions over a 34 games span.
*Dick “Night Train” Lane had 25 INT in his first 34 games in 1952-54, and holds the record for most interceptions in a season with 14.
I’ve only ever know him by the name of Lester “the molester” Hayes.
His other nickname was “The Judge”.
Both nicknames came about because of his rough bump and run coverage style.
You can argue all you want he should be in the HOF for his time
Nothing worse than a teacher in love with the sound of his own voice
Great analysis!
I don’t think he’s HOF but can you do one of these for Nick Foles
Actual Hall of Famer Nick Foles?
The superbowls should not be part of the HOF equation
The only considered that I think absolutely shouldn’t is team records.
If that were true then Eli has absolutely NO shot.
True and he shouldn’t be even with them
It’s a debate, but I would say they absolutely should.
You need a team to make it and win. Every player to get a ring needed the entire roster and coaching staff to do it. Hard for me to see it as a measure of an individual’s success.
They’re definitely relevant. It shows you were a main puzzle piece of a championship team.
just like a notorious hoodie wearing coach we all know, he kind went into the grey area when it came to the rules at the time.
mmm mmm salty
Perhaps this was poor wording by me, but I think you read into that what you wanted to. The only comparison is both BB and Lester Hayes pushed the limit of the unwritten rule.
The point was:
- Biletnikoff went into the grey area, used Stickum, and is in the HOF
- To your point, Jerry Rice used Stickum post rule and is in the HOF
- Billichek went into the grey area of the unwritten rules and will/should be in the HOF
- Lester Hayes deserves the same consideration.
It’s tough to get into the Hall as a DB, and tough to get in as a Raider. Put the two together…
Another Raiders legend. Heard stickum doesn’t hold a candle to how sticky/grippy current day gloves are
Lester is my all-time favorite player. I tried to play like him in youth football (stickum was legal) it’s a shame he is not in the HOF along with Steve Wisniewski. Check out his stats!
Just in case you ever wanted to make a comeback Senor. Happy Holidays!
What is he infamous for?
Stickum, there are pictures of him just covered in the stuff. His 1980 13 INT season (1/3 of his career picks) is widely considered the reason the substance is banned. He realistically was an above average corner who took stickum to the extreme, had an incredible season because of it, and then caused the substance to be banned because of concerns of other players following suit.
I was gonna guess Strahan. Was he not on the second Giants team that beat the Pats?
its amazing what you can do when your entire body is covered in glue.
Night Train played in a different era. Idk why they don’t have two INT records. Past and present.
