Gene Upshaw

Raiders Rule The 70’s The Las Vegas Raiders have one of the most feared franchises in all of football. Having the best winning percentage of any team throughout the 70s, the Raiders defense was arguably the most devastating group in the NFL at the time. In a decade where teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and Dolphins were so heavily dominant amongst any defense of any time period in professional football, the Raiders had standout players on both offense and defense who earned a reputation as some of the leagues toughest players. Here is a look at the Top 10 toughest Raiders players in history 10. Ted Hendrix- Linebacker (1975-1983) Known as “The Mad Stork”, Ted Hendrix was a nightmare for any offense across the league. The 6’7 linebacker was known to wreak havoc in the backfield, using his unique combination of size and speed. Hendrix has 61 career sacks and a combined 4 Super Bowl victories under his belt, being on all 3 Raiders Super Bowl winning teams and winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Colts. The hard hitting “Mad Stork” was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. 9. Matt Millen- Linebacker (1980-1988) Penn State was notoriously known as “Linebacker U”, producing some of the best that the position has to offer in the football world. Greats of the past like Jack Ham paved the way for the college powerhouse to groom some of footballs best linebackers. One of the Nittany Lions that contributed heavily to the Raiders organization was Matt Millen. Millen made an immediate impact on the Raiders defense, helping the Silver and black to two Super Bowls and winning one each with the 49ers and the Redskins. 8. John Matuzak- Defensive End (1976-1981) If you were around in the 1980’s then you might know that John Matuzak was not only one of the meanest Raiders to ever play the game, but he became somewhat of a social icon. Some may know that John Matuzak played the role of Sloth in 1985 hit movie The Goonies and appeared on TV shows like M*A*S*H* and A-Team. Before landing Hollywood roles, the 6’8 defensive end dominated on the defensive line, winning two Super Bowls in the process. Matuzak always made an impact with his helmet on first contact. In an interview, he described himself and the Raiders as “controversial”. 7. Gene Upshaw- Guard (1967-1981) The Raiders selected “Highway 63” in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft out of Texas A&I (now Texas A&M – Kingsville). Upshaw, one of the greatest players in NFL history, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 after playing in 217 regular season games with 207 starts, 24 playoff games and three Super Bowls (II, XI, XV). He was named to seven All-Star Games/Pro Bowls and 1st Team All-Pro five times. After his playing career, he went on to become the executive director of the NFL Players Association, a post he held until his death in 2008. 6. Art Shell– Guard (1968-1982) Art Shell played in 207 games with 169 starts. He was selected for eight Pro Bowls, named 1st Team All-Pro twice, and was a key member of two Raiders Super Bowl championship teams for the Raiders in 1976 and 1980. Shell also served two stints as head coach of the Silver and Black and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. He was the first black head coach of the NFL modern era. 5. Jim Otto– Center (1960-1974) Jim Otto exemplified toughness and set the tone for the Raider image for years to come. He was the last of the original Raiders. During his 15 years with the Oakland Raiders the team won seven division championships and the 1967 AFL Championship. Nine-time AFL All-Star and three-time AFC-NFC Pro Bowler, winner of the Gorman Award twice as “Player Who Best Exemplifies the Pride and Spirit of the Oakland Raiders”. Jim Otto was also selected to the AFL-NFL 25-year All-Star Team and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. 4. Howie Long- Defensive End (1981-1993) Today you see Howie Long sitting along side Terry Bradshaw and Kirt Menefee to call NFL games on FOX.But in 1981 Long was selected by the Raiders and became a key member of the Raiders 1983 Super Bowl championship team. Long played in 179 games with 151 starts. He recorded 84 sacks, two interceptions for 84 yards and 10 fumble recoveries. Long was selected to play in eight Pro Bowls and named 1st Team All-Pro twice. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. 3. Ronnie Lott- Free Safety (1991-1992) Yes, Ronnie Lott cut off the tip of his pinky to resume a football game, so he earned a spot on this list. Lott is actually best known as a long time 49er. Lott played for the silver and black for two years after ten years in San Francisco. In his 32 games with the Raiders, he started all 32 and recorded 9 interceptions for 52 yards. He also forced 2 fumbles and recovered 2 fumbles. After his time with the Raiders, he finished his last two years with the Jets. Lott was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and will always be remembered as one of the league’s hardest hitters ever. 2. ” The Assassin” Jack Tatum- Free Safety (1971-1979) The name says it all. Jack Tatum would stand back at free safety waiting for an unlucky wide receiver to cross his path. The assassins hits on the field are some of the most memorable ever, with one famous hit coming on the games biggest stage in Super Bowl XI against the Vikings when wide receiver Sammy White fell victim to the Assassin. Tatum was a force to be reckoned with on the Raiders from 1971-1979, starting in all 120 games and racking up 30 interceptions and 8…