Raider

The Raymond Chester Story

Author(s) Jon Gower

Language: English

Genre(s): Calon, Sport, Biography

  • March 2025 ·216x135mm

  • · Hardback - 9781915279941
  • · eBook - pdf - 9781915279965
  • · eBook - epub - 9781915279972

About The Book

Dive into the thrilling life of Raymond Chester, the Oakland Raiders legend.   

While America was convulsed following the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King, Chester was central to the move of black American football into the mainstream. From his college glory at Morgan State to his iconic moments on the NFL field, Chester’s story is one of resilience and triumph which resonates far beyond the world of sport.  

Based on extensive conversations and interviews with Chester himself as told to Welsh author and rugby fan Jon Gower, Raider brings a unique perspective to his life and career.   

Perfect for sports fans around the world, Raider is a love-letter from Wales to an American football icon whose legacy transcends the game. 

Contents

Foreword: A Band of Brothers, by Raymond Chester
Part one - - 1968
1. Morgan State vs Grambling
2. The big day approaches
3. From half-time to victory
Interlude: Balance
Part Two – – 1948-68
4. High School Days
5. Morgan State
6. Family Life
Interlude: Speed
Part Three – NFL Career – 1968-1980
7. On Being a Raider
8. Playing for the Colts (or five years’ hard labour.)
9. Interlude: Injuries
Part four: Superbowl Champion, 1980
10. Winning the Championship
Part five – Life After the NFL
11. The Invaders and the USFL
12. A Small White Ball and a Fishing Rod
Interlude: Matters of faith
Conclusion: Looking back
Appendix A: A timeline of Raymond Chester's career
Appendix B: A brief introduction to American football
Appendix C: The Raiders: Raymond's recollections of his fellow players
Bibliography

About the Author(s)

Author(s): Jon Gower

Jon Gower is a former BBC Wales arts and media correspondent who has over 40 books to his name. These include The Story of Wales, which accompanied a landmark TV series, the travelogue An Island Called Smith and Y Storïwr which won the Wales Book of the Year. His latest book is The Turning Tide: A Biography of the Irish Sea.

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