For the first time in 8 years, the Raiders enter camp without Marcel Reece sporting number 45. And perhaps out of respect, they haven’t put anyone else in the 45 jersey yet. Reece was a mainstay with the Raiders, working his way up to being a 4-time Pro Bowl fullback. But all good careers eventually come to an end.
Who wore it best: DB Dave Grayson (1965-70)
Grayson spent the final six seasons of his ten-year NFL career with the Raiders. When he joined the Raiders in 1965, he was coming off an All AFL first team season with the Kansas City Chiefs. And in he made All AFL again in his first season with the Raiders. In total, he was named an AFL All Star five straight seasons from 1962-66 between the Dallas Texans/KC Chiefs and the Raiders. And in his third season in Oakland, the Raiders made the Super Bowl.
The ball hawking defensive back is the all-time AFL leader with 48 career interceptions, 29 of which came with the Raiders, including a career-high and league leading 10 interceptions in 1968. He never missed a game as a Raider with 84 regular season appearances and 8 playoff games.
By the time his career came to a close in 1970, Grayson had been named All AFL four times - three times with the Raiders - and was an AFL All Star six times - three times with the Raiders. He is a member of the AFL All-Time Team.
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