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Raymond Chester

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Raymond Chester
refer to caption
Chester in 1977
No. 87, 88
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1948-06-28) June 28, 1948 (age 77)
Cambridge, Maryland, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school:Baltimore (MD) Frederick Douglass
College:Morgan State
NFL draft:1970: 1st round, 24th pick
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:172
Starts:131
Receptions:364
Receiving yards:5,013
Receiving TDs:48
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Raymond Tucker Chester (born June 28, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). After graduating from Douglass High School in Baltimore, Maryland, Chester played college football at the city’s historically Black university Morgan State College (now Morgan State University). He was a member of its undefeated 1967 team and 8-1 1968 team, scoring its only touchdown in the Bears’ historic 1968 victory over Grambling State University at Yankee Stadium.

Drafted as the 24th pick overall in the first round of the 1970 NFL draft, Chester began his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders. Seven touchdown catches and over five hundred receiving yards earned Chester the Rookie of the Year award by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) and secured the first of four career Pro Bowl selections. A trade in 1973 to the Baltimore Colts led to five seasons with them before returning to Oakland. He was on the Raiders’ 1980 Super Bowl championship team and retired from the NFL following the 1981 season.

After a year off, he played a single-season in 1983 for the Oakland Invaders of the USFL.

Early years

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Chester was born in Cambridge, Maryland, on June 28, 1948, to Ivy and Bertha Chester, and was the[1] the fourth of ten siblings. He grew up in Baltimore.[1][2] His passion for sports began during his years at Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, where he excelled in track, wrestling, and football.[3][4] He played both offensive and defensive tackle on the football team.[5] He set a Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA) shot put record in 1966.[6] He also set an MSA discus throwing record at Douglass.[7]

College football

[edit]

Chester attended Morgan State, concentrating on football there under the guidance of head coach Earl Banks.[8][9] He played tight end on offense and defensive end on defense.[10] Banks considered Chester the best all-around player he had in a decade, which included future Hall of Fame players Leroy Kelley and Willie Lanier.[10][11][12]

As a sophomore, Chester had leg cramping issues, but in the 1968 season, as a junior, Chester caught 20 passes for 500 yards, with four touchdowns.[13][10] The Bears went 8–1 that year.[14] Chester's 1968 teammates included future NFL players John "Frenchy" Fuqua and George Nock.[13] As a senior in 1969, he caught 35 passes, with eight touchdowns and a 16-yards per catch average.[10] He also ran back a kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown during his college career.[10]

In 1968, during the Bears’ 31-game unbeaten streak (1964-1968), including three seasons where they were undefeated (1965-1967),[15][14] Chester played in the match-up between Morgan State and Grambling. The historic game was the first of its kind, pitting two historically black colleges against each other on one of the largest stages of that era—Yankee Stadium. In that battle, Chester caught Morgan State’s only touchdown, leading to the Bears’ ultimate 9–7 victory over the Tigers.[2][16] He also blocked a punt that led to a safety, thus having a hand in all of Morgan State's points.[10] As a defensive end, he sacked Grambling quarterback James Harris three times in the game.[17]

It was the first time two historically black colleges or universities played each other in New York City. More than 60,000 people attended the nationally televised game. Morgan had earlier been the first team to integrate the Tangerine Bowl in 1966.[18] In 2011, CBS Sports produced a documentary on the social importance of the game against Grambling.[19]

Chester was selected as an All-American in 1968 and 1969.[13] The Baltimore Sun named Chester its 1968 Maryland College Division all-star at tight end.[20] Chester was a member of the 1970 College All-Star team.[16] After being drafted into the NFL, coach Banks believed Chester had the potential to equal future Baltimore Colts Hall of fame tight end John Mackey.[10][21]

In 2004 he was inducted into the Morgan State University Athletic Hall of Fame.[1]

Professional career

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Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Colts

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Chester was selected with the 24th pick in the first round of the 1970 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders legendary owner Al Davis. [16] He and Davis remained close friends until the latter’s death in 2011.[22]

Chester started at tight end in his rookie season, contributing to the Raiders’ 8–4–2 season and their appearance in the AFC Division Playoffs.[23] Along with his 42 receptions, 556 yards, and 7 touchdowns, his performance earned him his first of four Pro Bowl selections (1970-1972, 1979),[24][25] and the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) NFL Rookie of the Year Award.[26] He was third in the Associated Press's (AP) rookie of the year voting.[27]

Chester was acquired by his hometown Baltimore Colts from the Raiders for All-Pro defensive end Bubba Smith on July 16, 1973.[28][29] During his five seasons with the Colts he racked up 2,123 yards receiving, 11 touchdowns,[25] and was a key contributor to the team winning three division titles in 1975-77.[30] An outstanding blocker,[31] he often drew criticism for dropped passes and was disgruntled with team management throughout his time with the Colts.[32]

Chester returned to the Raiders after being traded along with a 1979 second-round pick (33rd overall–traded to Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Dave Pear) from the Colts for Mike Siani and a 1979 third-round selection (72nd overall–traded to Houston Oilers), on July 21, 1978.[32][33] He had his best statistical season in 1979, with 712 reception yards and eight touchdowns.[25] The following year, Chester became a champion when the Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV (27-10), Chester catching two passes for 24 yards.[34]

After the 1981 season, with an impending move to Los Angeles by the Raiders, Chester decided to retire from the NFL. He finished his 12-year career, playing in 172 games, with 364 receptions, 5,013 years (13.8 yards per catch), and 48 touchdowns.[25]

United Press International (UPI) selected him first team All-Conference in 1972 and 1979, and second team in 1970 and 1971; and the AP selected him first team All-Conference in 1972. The NEA selected him first team All-Pro in 1979.[25]

USFL

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Chester did not play professional football in 1982.[35] He became involved in the development of a new league, the United States Football League (USFL), which consisted of 18 teams, with one coming to Oakland.[36] Chester came out of retirement and played a single season with the Oakland Invaders in 1983.[37] He caught 68 passes for 951 yards and five touchdowns.[35] The team won the Pacific division and Chester earned the USFL Man of the Year award.[38] After retiring from the Invaders, he took a front office job with the team as vice president of communications and marketing[35]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1970 OAK 14 12 42 556 13.2 43 7
1971 OAK 14 14 28 442 15.8 67 7
1972 OAK 13 11 34 576 16.9 68 8
1973 BAL 13 10 18 181 10.1 40 1
1974 BAL 14 14 37 461 12.5 45 1
1975 BAL 14 14 38 457 12.0 32 3
1976 BAL 14 14 24 467 19.5 48 3
1977 BAL 14 14 31 556 17.9 78 3
1978 OAK 16 0 13 146 11.2 27 2
1979 OAK 14 13 58 712 12.3 39 8
1980 OAK 16 10 28 366 13.1 47 4
1981 OAK 16 5 13 93 7.2 15 1
172 131 364 5,013 13.8 78 48

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1970 OAK 2 2 4 83 20.8 35 0
1972 OAK 1 1 3 40 13.3 19 0
1975 BAL 1 1 0 0 0.0 0 0
1976 BAL 1 1 3 42 14.0 24 0
1977 BAL 1 1 1 30 30.0 30 0
1980 OAK 4 4 12 202 16.8 65 1
10 10 23 397 17.3 65 1

Personal life

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During his NFL career, Chester, along with NFL players MacArthur Lane and Sherman White, formed a charitable organization, Pros For Oakland. The group, with donations from professional athletes of money and time, provided athletes as public speakers and to run sports clinics for youth; and in one instance 25 professionals were present to support 850 children competing in the Special Olympics.[39]

An avid golfer, Chester managed the Lake Chabot Golf Course for 20 years.[2] Currently he acts as a consultant for golf course development and management.

He also held an executive position for the Raiders coordinating ticket sales.[2]

Honors

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He is a member of the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame.[40][41] In 2018, Chester was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.[16] In 2016, he was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.[22]

In 2014, a campaign was launched by the Black Sports Legends Foundation to get Chester elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well.[42] At that time, Chester said: "I think it’s time that the Hall of Fame selection committee go back and recognize some of the guys who were absolutely the best player in their era...And no one can dispute that I was one of the top three players at my position in my era. No one can dispute that."[42]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Raymond Chester (2004) - Hall of Fame". Morgan State University Athletics. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Steele, David (October 29, 2008). "Notable exclusion: Put Chester in Hall". Baltimore Sun.
  3. ^ Satterfield, Lem (October 26, 2005). "No Longer A Lost Cause". The Baltimore Sun. pp. Z4.
  4. ^ Shane, Larry (February 2, 1966). "Redskins, Ducks Shooting For Key Mat Race Wins". The Evening Sun. p. 31.
  5. ^ "Prep Stars Of The Week". The Baltimore Sun. October 5, 1965. p. 32.
  6. ^ "Across The USA In Sports: News From Every State". USA Today. May 5, 1987. p. 10.
  7. ^ "Four Records Fall, Two Tied In Trials For M.S.A. Meet". The Baltimore Sun. May 19, 1966. p. 39.
  8. ^ Klingaman, Mike (September 22, 2017). "Morgan State celebrates undefeated 1967 football team during Saturday's game". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  9. ^ "Earl Banks (1982) - Hall of Fame". Morgan State University Athletics. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Bloom, Don (July 14, 1970). "Take Five, DeLoach, Clemens With 'Next Mackey'". The Sacramento Bee. p. 14.
  11. ^ "Leroy Kelly | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  12. ^ "Willie Lanier | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c "Morgan State Opposes Grambling at Stadium". The Herald-News (Passaic, New Jersey). September 19, 1969. p. 34.
  14. ^ a b "Game Week, Morgan State Bears". November 5, 2018.
  15. ^ "Classic Bear Recaps: The Tangerine Bowl". Morgan State University Athletics. July 1, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d "Morgan State graduate Raymond Chester goes into Black College Football Hall of fame". Baltimore Sun. December 15, 2018.
  17. ^ "Raymond Chester's Magic Moment". Oakland Tribune. August 7, 1979. p. 28.
  18. ^ O'Neal, Lonnae (July 20, 2018). "When Morgan State beat Grambling at Yankee Stadium, more than the score was at stake". Andscape. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  19. ^ Zurawik, David (September 27, 2011). "CBS Sports goes deep in documentary on famed Morgan State game in 1968". Baltimore Sun.
  20. ^ "Cowan Tops On All-State". The Baltimore Sun. December 8, 1968. pp. A4.
  21. ^ "John Mackey | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Raymond Chester". Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  23. ^ "1970 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  24. ^ "1970 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Raymond Chester Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  26. ^ "1970 NFL Awards". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  27. ^ "1970 Awards Voting". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  28. ^ "Colts Trade Smith to Raiders for Chester," The Associated Press (AP), Monday, July 16, 1973. Retrieved October 28, 2020
  29. ^ "Former Colts TE Raymond Chester A Black College Football Hall Of Fame Inductee". www.colts.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "Indianapolis Colts Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  31. ^ TalkOfFame (November 6, 2017). "Chester: Hall should take "hard look" at more seniors". Talk of Fame. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Miller, Jim (July 21, 1978). "Colts Trade Chester to Oakland for Siani". The Evening Sun. p. C5. Retrieved January 18, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  33. ^ 1979 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, May 3 (Rounds 1–6) & 4 (Rounds 7–12) – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved October 28, 2020
  34. ^ "Super Bowl XV - Oakland Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles - January 25th, 1981". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  35. ^ a b c "Raymond Chester Retires; Takes Front-Office Job". The Sacramento Bee. December 28, 1983. p. 57.
  36. ^ "Oakland USFL Team Has Raider Flavor - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  37. ^ "Chester Retiring". New York Times. December 28, 1983.
  38. ^ "USFL Awards - USFL (United States Football League)". www.usflsite.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  39. ^ Twombly, Wells (April 26, 1976). "Yes, there are some heroes left". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 49.
  40. ^ "State's sports 'Hall' is a well-kept secret". Baltimore Sun. February 3, 1994. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  41. ^ "Raymond Chester (1992) - CIAA Hall of Fame Members". theciaa.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  42. ^ a b Pitts, Breana (March 9, 2014). "Campaign to Finally Elect NFL Legend Raymond Chester into Pro Football Hall of Fame". AFRO American Newspapers. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
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