Lester Hayes

In 2012, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Hayes to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2012

He retired after the 1986 season with a total of 39 interceptions (including 4 defensive touchdowns), a Raider record shared with Hall of Famer Willie Brown.

Hayes was commonly referred to as "the Judge" and also as "Lester the Molester" because of his bump and run coverage. He had a distinct stance, crouching very low when facing the opposing wide receiver. He was also known for using Stickum before it was banned in 1981 by a rule bearing his name.

He was known as one of the greatest shutdown cornerbacks in NFL history. In 1980, Hayes led the NFL with 13 interceptions, tied for second most with Dan Sandifer, who had set it in 1948, and behind Dick "Night Train" Lane with 14 in 1952, and was named AP Defensive Player of the Year and the NEA Defensive Player of the Year.

The use of Stickum was banned by the NFL after the 1980 season. In the six seasons that Hayes played following the banning of Stickum, he had 14 total interceptions, compared to his 25 that he had in his first four seasons.

Hayes was converted to cornerback after being chosen by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 1977 draft. Hayes helped contribute to the Raiders two Super Bowl wins in 1980 and 1983. Hayes was a one time All-Pro (1980) and a five-time Pro Bowler (1980–1984).

Hayes was introduced to Stickum, an adhesive substance used by players to improve their grip, in his 1977 rookie season by Hall of Fame wide receiver and fellow teammate Fred Biletnikoff. However, instead of just applying a small amount to his hands, he began to slather it all over his arms and even his uniform, drawing more and more attention to it.

In college starting in 1973 he played for the Texas A&M. He first played defensive end as a freshman and then linebacker and safety as a sophomore. His junior and senior years he settled in as a safety and became an All-American for his play at safety.

Lester Craig Hayes (born January 22, 1955) is a former professional American football player for the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL).