Raider Nation Should Sound the Drum of Change: Open the Combine to Fans

Tribute and Proposal Inspired by an Oakland Raider

February is the time of year that I think about the first African-American who was an NFL scout. His name is Lloyd C. A. Wells. I grew up listening to my father tell me stories about him.

Wells attended Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas. He was the son of a schoolteacher. Compared to some of the other families in Fifth Ward, his family was considered wealthy.

Wells was a photographer and a sports activist. He helped to get guys into professional football at a time when some of the talented guys were overlooked. He worked for the Kansas City Chiefs.

One of the guys that Wells wanted to play for the Kansas City Chiefs ended up going to the Oakland Raiders. The Chiefs had too many wide receivers at the time. So, Warren Wells went to the Oakland Raiders after he was discharged from the United States Army.

In those days, that was a very good move for the Oakland Raiders to get Warren Wells.

Although their surnames are the same, Lloyd Wells and Warren Wells were not related. They were friends and they would have loud and boisterous debates whenever they would meet in Houston during the offseason.

Rival Players and Rival Teams

In those days, the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs were fierce rivals. Otis Taylor was with Kansas City and Warren Wells was with the Raiders. Taylor and Wells had been rivals since their Prairie View and Texas Southern college days. That competition continued when Wells and Taylor were both on the NFL playing field.

I am writing this tribute to Lloyd Wells. He is the reason that many opportunities opened up for talented college football players who attended historically Black colleges and universities.

During Lloyd C. A. Wells' career as a NFL scout, there was no NFL Combine.

In a few days, the Combine will start up, with about 300 college men competing and performing to post impressive measurements. These young men aspire to be part of the next generation of pro football players in 2012.

Honoring the Memory and Advocacy of Lloyd C. A. Wells

In honor of the memory of Lloyd C. A. Wells, I would like to set forth a proposal just like Lloyd C. A. Wells did in his prime.  Wells was an activist and a photographer. He was close to the media.

I believe he would want the 2012 fan base to have a chance to attend the Combine. In other words, the Combine should be opened up for fans and aspiring sportswriters to collect firsthand data on the prospects for NFL teams. No doubt Reggie McKenzie will be there.

If it were open, I would certainly attempt to buy a ticket and be there too.

This proposal makes sense in 2012. This would be the next step in the development of the NFL enterprise.

On February 22, 300 top prospects will gather at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The 2009 Article on Lloyd C. A. Wells

Tribute to The Judge, Lloyd C. A. Wells, an NFL Scout:

Life has interesting twists and turns. A man who recorded memories and images using professional photography ended up in an assisted living facility because of Alzheimer's Disease. He was Lloyd C. A. Wells.

I did not know "The Judge" personally, but I saw him many times at Texas Southern University and around Houston, Texas.

I even remember his strong voice because he often would be interviewed on KCOH Radio Station on Almeda Road in Houston.

He had a natural talent for blending media, politics and sports.

His gift brought him before great men. He paved the way for others to gain access, too.

This article will only serve as an introduction to the legendary Lloyd C. A. Wells, for his life spanned many levels and arenas.

Wells was the first African-American scout for the NFL. He was smart and tough.

He wrote many sports articles for the Houston Forward Times  and The Houston Informer in Texas.

He was thunder and lightning in the sports world.  He was bold enough to advocate change. Doors of opportunity flew open after Lloyd C. A. Wells banged on them on the behalf of athletes from small, historically Black colleges and universities, such as Texas Southern University and Prairie View A & M University.

He worked not only in the NFL, but also as a part of Muhammad Ali's team.

He grew up in the historic Fifth Ward in Houston, Texas. Other great people from the Fifth Ward include two United States Congressmen, George "Mickey" Leland and Barbara Jordan.

Wells made a great contribution to the NFL. He advocated diversity during the years when many were ill-prepared to articulate the issue. He was adept at balancing relationships to gain NFL contracts for young men who sometimes knew very little about negotiations in the NFL.

I salute Mr. Wells, who was a civil rights leader that placed emphasis on advocating change in the NFL.

A disease may have erased his memory during his senior years, but let us not forget his contribution to NFL sports.

My opinion is that Lloyd C. A. Wells ought to be given some type of special recognition at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He helped establish the foundation on which many NFL players now stand.

Let us salute Lloyd C. A. Wells (1924-2005) and his contributions to the NFL.

As an ex-Marine Sergeant, Wells is to be remembered and honored during this time of year for his amazing work in the NFL and for the United States.

Credits; Thanks to my father, Rev. Edsel Warren Brannon for his conversations with me about NFL football. Thanks to Mr. Warren Wells for his encouragement and inspiration.