27. Henry Lawrence: Always a Raider

Henry Lawrence grew up in the deep south... and in the late 60's, that was a tough place to be. When he wasn't playing football, he was in the fields with his family, picking whatever crop was coming in to put food on the table. His parents were hard-working folks doing back-breaking work. In Henry's junior year, his all black high school was going to integrate with the all-white high school. A tough time was made even tougher for the 17-year old football star... but he persevered and received a football scholarship to Florida A & M. And while at times he felt like quitting, he didn't, and 4 years later, Al Davis and John Madden had drafted young Henry in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft. Both men had huge impacts on Henry's life, Madden in particular. They bonded from the day they met and had a deep affection for each other that lasted until the day Henry sang at his coach's funeral. Henry played 13 years in the NFL... all with the Raiders. Once a Raider...Always a Raider. A 2-time Pro-Bowl tackle and 3-time Super Bowl Champion, Henry Lawrence embodies what it is to wear the Silver and Black. Pride and Poise. A Commitment to Excellence. Just Win Baby. The first thing Henry did after being drafted was to set up a scholarship fund for future Florida A & M players. Giving back is just something that the Lawrence family always did, even when they had nothing to give. Where did that sense of giving come from? What was his relationship like with Al Davis? How did Henry overcome racism in the 60's in the Deep South? What was the most memorable play of his career? Hint: It's one of the most famous plays in Super Bowl history. It's a great conversation with an all-time Raiders great... Henry Lawrence on the Past Our Prime podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices