9781915279941
A gripping portrait of an American football legend whose impact stretched far beyond the game.
From the electrifying fields of Morgan State to the roaring stadiums of the NFL, Raymond Chester’s journey is one of triumph and resilience. As America reeled in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, Chester was at the forefront of Black athletes breaking into the mainstream, reshaping the face of professional American football.
Raider brings his extraordinary story to life through extensive conversations with Welsh author and rugby fan Jon Gower, offering a rare, intimate look at the man behind the legend. More than just a chronicle of athletic greatness, this book is a testament to Chester’s lasting influence—on the game, on representation, and on generations to come.
A must-read for sports fans everywhere, Raider is both a celebration of an icon and a heartfelt tribute from Wales to one of football’s true pioneers.
From the electrifying fields of Morgan State to the roaring stadiums of the NFL, Raymond Chester’s journey is one of triumph and resilience. As America reeled in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, Chester was at the forefront of Black athletes breaking into the mainstream, reshaping the face of professional American football.
Raider brings his extraordinary story to life through extensive conversations with Welsh author and rugby fan Jon Gower, offering a rare, intimate look at the man behind the legend. More than just a chronicle of athletic greatness, this book is a testament to Chester’s lasting influence—on the game, on representation, and on generations to come.
A must-read for sports fans everywhere, Raider is both a celebration of an icon and a heartfelt tribute from Wales to one of football’s true pioneers.
Table of Contents
Author’s Preface
Foreword: A Band of Brothers, by Raymond Chester
Part One: Game Changer – 1968
1. The Grambling versus Morgan Invitational Football Classic
2. The big day approaches
3. Half time
Interlude: Balance
Part Two: How a Legend Is Born (and Brought Up) – 1948–69
4. Family Life
5. High School Days
6. Morgan State
Interlude: Impact
Part Three: NFL Career – 1970–1981
7. On Being a Raider
8. Playing for the Colts (or Five Years’ Hard Labour)
Interlude: Injuries
9. A Raider Again
10. Winning the Championship: The Super Bowl XV
Interlude: Speed
Part Four: Life After NFL – 1982–present
11. The Invaders and USFL
12. A Small White Ball
13. Gone Fishing
Conclusion: Looking Back
Appendix A: Timeline of a Career
Appendix B: A Brief Introduction to NFL Football
Appendix C: The Raiders: Raymond’s Recollections of His Fellow Players
Bibliography
Foreword: A Band of Brothers, by Raymond Chester
Part One: Game Changer – 1968
1. The Grambling versus Morgan Invitational Football Classic
2. The big day approaches
3. Half time
Interlude: Balance
Part Two: How a Legend Is Born (and Brought Up) – 1948–69
4. Family Life
5. High School Days
6. Morgan State
Interlude: Impact
Part Three: NFL Career – 1970–1981
7. On Being a Raider
8. Playing for the Colts (or Five Years’ Hard Labour)
Interlude: Injuries
9. A Raider Again
10. Winning the Championship: The Super Bowl XV
Interlude: Speed
Part Four: Life After NFL – 1982–present
11. The Invaders and USFL
12. A Small White Ball
13. Gone Fishing
Conclusion: Looking Back
Appendix A: Timeline of a Career
Appendix B: A Brief Introduction to NFL Football
Appendix C: The Raiders: Raymond’s Recollections of His Fellow Players
Bibliography
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