One of the most famous cornerbacks in American football is Lester Hayes. He is a retired American professional football player. He began his football career in the National Football League (NFL) as a player for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
To all, he was well known for his nicknames, “the Judge” and also “Lester the Molester” for his bump and run coverage. On the field of football, while facing the wide receiver, he had a distinct stance, crouching very low. He was also well-known for his use of Stickum, which was later banned. His career is glorified by numerous awards. Let’s know about this man.
The early life of Lester Hayes
Lester Hayes was born on January 22, 1955, in Houston, Texas. His full name is Lester Craig Hayes. In his school life, he went to Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas.
| Full Name: | Lester Craig Hayes |
| Nick Name: | The Judge, Lester the Molester |
| Date Of Birth: | January 22, 1955 |
| Place Of Birth: | Houston, Texas, United States |
| College Education: | Texas A & M University |
| Achievement: |
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| Jersey Number: | 37 |
| Height: | 6 feet 2 inches |
| Weight: | 91 Kg |
| Current Age: | 67 years old |
He finished his college career at Texas A & M University (TAMU) in College Station, Texas. He was a member of the Texas A&M Aggies football team during his time at this college.
Lester Hayes contract details and Records
In the 1977 NFL Draft, the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders selected Lester Hayes 126th overall in the 5th round. He played his whole career with this team until 1986. During his tenure with this team, he helped the team to win two Super Bowls in 1980 and 1983. As a personal recognition, he received the honor of being a one-time All-Pro (1980) and a five-time Pro Bowler (1980–1984). In 1980, he led his team with 13 interceptions. In the last four seasons of his career, he made one of the best partnerships with Mike Haynes in the history of the NFL.
He played a total of 149 games in his NFL career. His NFL career statistics are
- Interceptions: 39
- Interception yards: 572
- Touchdowns: 4, AV 91
Regular Season Scoring:
| SEASON | TM | GP | RUSH | REC | RET | TOT | FGM | XPM | SFTY | PTS |
| 1986 | Los Angeles Raiders | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 1985 | Los Angeles Raiders | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| 1984 | Los Angeles Raiders | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | Los Angeles Raiders | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | Los Angeles Raiders | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1981 | Oakland Raiders | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | Oakland Raiders | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 1979 | Oakland Raiders | 16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 1978 | Oakland Raiders | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | Oakland Raiders | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 149 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
When did Hayes retire?
He took early retirement from his professional life in the 1986 season. In recognition of his standout career, he became part of the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2012. In his career, he was controversial for the use of the Stickum in his whole body; as a consequence, the use of this substance was banned in the NFL.
Achievements of Lester Hayes
Is Lester Hayes in the hall of fame? Unfortunately not. But among the numerous recognitions of the NFL in his professional life, the notables are the following:
For the second time, he led his team to Super Bowl XV and XVIII victories. He received the honor of being the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1980.
First-team all-pro in 1980
From 1981 to 1984, he was a five-time second-team All-Pro.
From 1980 to 1984, he appeared in five Pro Bowls.
In 1980, he led the NFL in interceptions.
In addition, the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
Personal life of Lester Hayes
Nothing is clearly known about the personal life of Lester Hayes, and no information is available to the public regarding his dating life.
How tall is Lester Hayes?
Lester Hayes wore jersey number 37 at the time he played in the NFL. He played football as a cornerback. The height of this man is six ft. 2 inches, and his weight is 200 lbs. He is 67 years old now.
Lester Hayes’s Net Worth in 2025
The net worth of this reputed man is $500,000.
FAQs
- What is Lester Hayes’ estimated net worth?
Lester Hayes’ net worth is estimated to be around $8 million, primarily earned through his NFL career and endorsements. - What teams did Lester Hayes play for during his NFL career?
Lester Hayes played his entire NFL career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. - What are Lester Hayes’ most notable career achievements?
Hayes is a two-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1980. - Did Lester Hayes have any significant endorsements?
Yes, Hayes earned endorsements during and after his football career, contributing to his overall net worth. - Is Lester Hayes involved in any philanthropic activities?
Lester Hayes has supported various community initiatives and youth programs, emphasizing education and sportsmanship.
