Oakland Raiders: Whatever It Takes, Just Do It

"I don't need to call his name, but one thing we know, he could play the game." DBY

When we were in college, I noticed his hands. There was a mole on one of his hands. They seemed special, and I did not know why. I just could see the gift.

Perhaps I saw the gift because I play the piano and people always said I had the hands for it.

Well, now I love to research and write about NFL football. The Oakland Raiders and the Raider Nation have experienced some jabbing, taunting, stretching, shrinking and shearing of the truth, and we are tired of it.

So, I got up at 6 AM this morning, Oct. 23, 2009, and drove 90 miles to the hometown where my college mate, who was one of the greatest wide receivers for the Oakland Raiders, lives as a retiree.

I wanted to be like that pigeon and just leave a message for him. I had to drive and hope that I would be able to make contact with him.

Since my son and I knew the hangout for the retirees, I hoped I could just find one retiree who would pass a message on to the great wide receiver.

Who is he? Names don't matter. It's his gift and spirit that we want to call forth for help on Sunday, while we play the New York Jets.

Exactly 40 years ago, Oakland was in fierce competition with the New York Jets and in the last quarter it looked like Oakland was going to be defeated. But, it didn't happen.

You go dig through the history books and tapes and see for yourself who did it, and how the victory was ours. (I like a little mystery, it makes life interesting.)

My point in this article. We want victory, and whatever it takes, we are willing to just do it, and grap hold to victory.

Now as you would imagine, when you're all hyped up about a matter, things try to hinder you, insult you, and just get in the way.

I was near my destination, and what slowed me down: a "choo-choo" train, of all things.

I waited, impatiently. I thought, "Maybe I am not suppose to leave this message, like a carrier-pigeon."

Well, I finally was able to reach the familiar locations where I knew these retirees love to tarry. I now see the good in the "choo-choo" train. It slowed me down and the timing was perfect.

I actually saw two guys in a park. One of them looked like the former Oakland Raider. I got out of the car, and walked near them, under a pavilion. As I got close to them, I realized that they were men who I did not know.

I asked about the former Raider. They said, "He is doing well and he was here yesterday." I said, "Would you please give him a message?"

One man said, "Yeah, sure, 'cause he was my roommate in college." I said, "Wow, something helped me find you. I want to leave three Bleacher Report articles and a message. Will you pass it on to him?" He said, "Yes, of course."

They pointed to a recreation center. They said, "He usually sits over there."

I said, "I really don't want to see him, today, I just want to leave a message."

I then asked the man who said he was the Raider's roommate when they were in college, "Can I please take a picture of you?"

I did. I had to take the picture because my probabilities are getting fantastic for getting my writing assignments done, during this time in my life.

Thanks, Roland for helping us pass the message to the retired Oakland Raider wide receiver.

I requested that he ask the NFL retiree to pray for our young wide receivers. I asked that we pray for their hands, and that their gift be increased, from this day forth.

Here is a list of our current wide receivers:

Wide receivers: Seven

Starters

12 Darrius Heyward-Bey (FL) (n/a, R-Maryland, D1-09, 22/6-2/210)
Controversial first-round draft pick has speed and desire, but does he have the hands to shine?

18 Louis Murphy (SE) (n/a, R-Florida, D4a-09, 22/6-2/205)
Well-regarded rookie was hidden by better players at Florida—and a higher draft pick with the Raiders.

Reserves

81 Chaz Schilens (SE/TE) (16/6, 2-S.D. St., D7-08, 23/6-4/225; r1-(-2), c15-15.1-2) (i/foot)
Seventh-round pick showed plenty of potential despite battling nagging injuries.

15 J. L. Higgins (SL/KR) (16/3, 3-UTEP, D3c-07, 25/5-11/185; c22-16.6-4, kr36-23.4, pr34-13-3)
Blossomed as a big-play threat returning punts (3 TDs!) and wound up leading WRs in catches.

19 Todd Watkins (WR) (8/0, 2-BYU, W(StL)-08/D7(Ariz)-06, 26/6-2/190)
Training camp star made first roster, but couldn’t translate results to regular season.

84 Javon Walker (SE ) (8/7, 8-FS, FA-08/D1(G)-02, 30/6-3/215; c15-13.1-1)
Major free-agent signing on offense turned out to be overpriced disaster, on field and off.

89 Nick Miller (SL/KR) (n/a, R-Southern Utah, OFA-09, na/5-9/180) (i/shin)
Fleet undrafted rookie made 53-man roster on strength of kick-return ability.

Source

We ask these things, in the name of Big JC, as Brent would call him.

Here he is, the man who helped us. Let's call him, Roland X, the man who helped us pass a message on to the NFL retiree.