Gerald Irons played linebacker for the Silver and Black for six years.
Though he was part of numerous memorable games in NFL history, his greatest
thrill came long after his playing career ended. In 2003 the Raiders signed
free agent Grant Irons, Gerald's son, to a contract. Father and son couldn't
have been happier. It was the culmination of years spent in the backyard of
the family home in The Woodlands, Texas, north of Houston. Father and sons
(Gerald has three sons: Gerald, Jr., Jarrett, and Grant) trained together as
Dad regaled his boys with tales of the Silver and Black. Gerald ran wind
sprints, lifted weights, and watched games with his sons. And in between it
all were more stories about the Raiders.
"I felt right at home," Grant said of following in his father's footsteps.
"I grew up on the Raiders. They were my role models, my heroes. I remember
my dad telling us bedtime stories; they weren't your typical bedtime
stories. They were stories about the Greatness of the Raiders."
We had a chance to catch up with "Scrap Iron" for our Whatever Happened
to... series.
Raiders.com: What's it like, as a former player, to see your son wearing the
Silver and Black?
Gerald Irons: I pinch myself every day. I'm happy for Grant and our family.
It's truly an incredible feeling to have one of my sons playing on the team.
It goes to show that with hard work and dedication, dreams can come true.
Raiders.com: Do you still attend any Raider games?
Gerald Irons: Definitely. With Grant now wearing the Silver and Black I get
to as many games as possible. My wife and I fly out to Oakland for home
games and have been to a number of road games.
Raiders.com: When did you start playing football?
Gerald Irons: I started playing football in grade school, just kicking the
ball around. I was pretty athletic, I played football, baseball, basketball,
and ran track back home in Gary, Indiana. I knew back then that I was an
athlete; it was a God given ability, a talent I embraced.
Raiders.com: How did you become a Raider?
Gerald Irons: I was drafted by the Raiders in the third round of the 1970
draft out of University of Maryland - Eastern Shore. I played both ways back
then: I was a pulling guard, a defensive end, and I played special teams. I
never left the field. But I owe a tremendous amount to Art Shell (1968-82).
When he was drafted in 1968, the Raider coaches were so impressed with him,
they asked if there were more players like him at the University of
Maryland - Eastern Shore. He recommended me. Ron Wolf (Director of Player
Personnel at the time) came and scouted me for several weeks and then I was
drafted.
Raiders.com: What did it mean for you to wear the Silver and Black?
Gerald Irons: It was an incredible feeling to wear the Silver and Black, to
know the tradition it stood for and the respect other teams had for the
Raiders. We took the field to dominate, to have fun and win.
Raiders.com: What is your greatest memory from playing with the Raiders?
Gerald Irons: The 1973 home opener versus the Dolphins. I'll never forget
that game. Miami came into the game needing one win to establish the longest
unbeaten streak in the NFL (they were tied with the Chicago Bears at 16
straight). It was all over the media. The game got moved to Memorial Stadium
in Berkeley because of a conflict with the A's playoff schedule. Fans were
everywhere: in the stadium and on the hill overlooking the stadium. Anyway,
we beat them 12-7 on four field goals by George Blanda (1967-75). Three of
the linebackers were named NFL Co-Defensive Player of the Week for our
performance that game: Dan Conners (1964-74), Phil Villapiano (1971-79), and
myself. The best part about that game happened the following night. Johnny
Carson had booked Miami running backs Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick for his
show that Monday night. When the two came on the show, Carson, with a sort
of perplexed face, tells them, "we were planning a celebration but, what
happened?" Csonka replied, "Gerald Irons happened. That guy was everywhere.
Every time we touched the ball, he hit us hard." I was sitting there with my
family watching this, loving it.
Raiders.com: Is there any one moment or play that stands out from your
career?
Gerald Irons: The Immaculate Reception. I was on the field for that play. It
kept us from the Super Bowl. Most people don't know this, but that play was
illegal. At that time it was illegal for an offensive player to tip the ball
to another offensive player (the rule has since been changed). The ball
bounced off John "Frenchy" Fuqua's chest when Jack Tatum (1971-79) hit him.
Franco Harris caught the ball without it hitting a defensive player. Most
people don't know this but the refs discussed the play amongst themselves,
and then asked if there was any security present in the stadium. When
informed there was none, the refs ruled the play resulted in a Pittsburgh
touchdown and left the field, unharmed.
Raiders.com: Do you keep in contact with any of your former teammates?
Gerald Irons: Of course. I talk to Raymond Chester (1970-72, 1978-81) all
the time. We became roommates as rookies; we were drafted in the same draft
(Chester was the Raiders first round pick out of Morgan State). I also talk
to Jack Tatum, Cliff Branch (1972-85), George Atkinson (1968-77), Charles
Smith (1968-74), Clarence Davis (1971-78), Carleton Oats (1965-72), Gene
Upshaw (1967-81), Willie Brown (1967-78), John Vella (1972-79), Art Shell,
Jim Otto (1960-74), Fred Biletnikoff (1965-78), Morris Bradshaw (1974-81),
Rod Sherman (1967, 1969-71), Ben Davidson (1964-71), Phil Villapiano, Clem
Daniels (1961-67), Tony Cline (1970-75), and Dave Casper (1974-80, 1984). We
all see each other at the stadium before the game and reminisce about old
times.
Raiders.com: Which team did you enjoy playing against the most?
Gerald Irons: I enjoyed all of them. The most intense games, from a personal
and team standpoint, were against the Kansas City Chiefs. I also enjoyed
playing against the Houston Oilers because Earl Campbell was so good. He was
a competitor and that brought my game up.
Raiders.com: What are you doing now?
Gerald Irons:I retired in 1980. I enjoyed playing in Houston so much, I
moved here. I live in The Woodlands, Texas. It's a 27,000 acre master-plan
community that is approximately one-and-a-half times the size of Manhattan
Island. I am Senior Vice President of Business Development for the
developer. My job is to bring companies to The Woodlands. We want them to
headquarter their operations here. We have 1,200 companies and over 80,000
residents here. During the off-season with the Raiders, I earned my MBA from
the University of Chicago, and I went to law school. I learned to speak
Japanese, which has helped my business life tremendously. I tried to prepare
for life after football, though football still influences my life. In fact,
I still workout twice a day. I'm in as good shape now as I was when I
played.
Raiders.com: Are there any messages you would like to pass along to the
Raider fans?
Gerald Irons: Continue to support the team, keep believing and cheering for
the team. Keep coming to games, filling the stadium. Let the team know you're
behind them. Just Win Baby!
