Prominently, Lester Hayes and Fred Biletnikoff were well-known for using Stickum while playing for the Raiders.
These two iconic players significantly leveraged the adhesive substance to gain an edge during their careers with the Oakland Raiders.
Key Players and Their Use of Stickum
| Player | Position | Introduction to Stickum | Notability for Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lester Hayes | Defensive Back | 1977 rookie season | Renowned for his widespread and effective use of the substance, particularly for interceptions. |
| Fred Biletnikoff | Wide Receiver | Introduced it to Hayes | A Hall of Fame receiver who used Stickum to enhance his already exceptional catching ability. |
Lester Hayes, a formidable defensive back, began using Stickum early in his career. In his 1977 rookie season, he was introduced to this controversial substance by his teammate, the legendary wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff. Biletnikoff, himself a known proponent of using adhesives to improve grip, passed on this practice to Hayes.
What is Stickum?
Stickum is an adhesive substance that was applied by players, often to their hands or gloves, to significantly improve their grip on the football. For wide receivers like Biletnikoff, it helped them secure passes more easily. For defensive backs such as Hayes, it aided in making crucial interceptions and tackling opponents more effectively.
The widespread and often overt use of Stickum by players like Hayes and Biletnikoff eventually drew the attention of the National Football League (NFL). Concerns over fair play and the integrity of the game led the NFL to ban Stickum and similar adhesive substances in 1981, making their use illegal in professional football. Despite the ban, the legacy of players like Hayes and Biletnikoff and their famous use of Stickum remains a notable part of NFL history.
