Lester Hayes was one of 52 senior nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame that made it through the first round of cuts earlier this month. The decision was no surprise, as the five-time All-Pro, who spent his entire ten-year career with the then-Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders, is likely the biggest Hall of Fame snub in the franchise's storied history, and one of the biggest in the NFL.
While his induction is long overdue, Hayes' candidacy appeared to be headed in the right direction, as he was named one of nine senior semifinalists last season.