Part 5/9:
In 1977, the excitement of the NFL draft led to Hayes being picked in the fifth round by the Oakland Raiders, an unlikely scenario that would evolve into an iconic career. Hayes joined established legends in the Raiders' secondary under the orders of head coach John Madden, who saw potential in transitioning Hayes to the cornerback position.
His rookie season paved the way for his meteoric rise, but it wasn’t until he was introduced to stickum—a sticky adhesive used to enhance grip—that his career truly took off. With the assistance of former Raiders teammate Fred Biletnikoff, Hayes began to apply stickum liberally, turning him into a formidable defensive player who could has shut down wide receivers with an aggressive style that earned him the nickname “Lester the Molester.”