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Raider

The Raymond Chester Story

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.

240 pages | 5.31 x 8.5 | © 2025

Biography and Letters

Sport and Recreation


View all books from University of Wales Press

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

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