Index
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About the Logbook
©2026, Erin Haight
Contact: raiderlogbook at gmail.com
Games
Opponents
People
Stadiums
About the Logbook
©2026, Erin Haight
Contact: raiderlogbook at gmail.com
This is an old revision of the document!
The team acquired halfback Bo Roberson from the Chargers as part of the Lance Alworth deal.
The team’s 13th-round draft pick, California halfback George Pierovich, signed with the 49ers.
The team signed free agent Nevada defensive back Jim Whitaker.
Whitaker entered military service shortly after signing.
The team signed free agent Humboldt State fullback Ed White.
The team signed free agent fullback Willie Simpson out of San Francisco State.
They also traded the signing rights to their 14th-round draft pick, Kansas halfback Bert Coan, and their 15th-round pick, Florida end Floyd Dean, to the Chargers for an unspecified San Diego draft pick.
The AFL elected Wayne Valley to the league presidency, replacing Houston’s Bud Adams.
The team announced 1962 season tickets would be priced at $31.50 each.
The team’s 19th-round draft pick, BYU tackle Kent Horne, signed with the Eagles.
The team signed a pair of free agents: cornerback Tommy Morrow out of Mississippi Southern and fullback Charlie Rieves from the University of Houston. The team planned to try Rieves at linebacker.
The team's 21st-round draft pick, Michigan fullback Bill Tunnicliff, signed with the Bears.
The Sporting News named center Jim Otto and guard Wayne Hawkins to their AFL All-Star team.
Grading of the playing field began at Frank Youell Field.
The team signed halfback and original Minneapolis/St Paul draft choice George Boynton to a contract. Boynton had also been a two-year redshirt pick of the Colts. The team was likely to try Boynton in the secondary.
The team signed free agent defensive back Leon Akins out of Mississippi Southern.
The Dallas Texans announced they would open their exhibition season with a game against the Raiders in Atlanta on August 4. Raiders general manager Wes Fry would not confirm the report.
Don Klein of KCBS Radio reported that the team was planning to hire Packers assistant Phil Bengtson to be the Raiders’ new head coach and general manager. Raiders co-owner Ed McGah refuted the report, saying the team planned to re-sign their current head coach Marty Feldman for another season.
The team signed a pair of free agents: linebacker Carl Bowser out of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and tight end Randall Dorsett from the University of Houston. Bowser had been aboard the Cal Poly team plane that crashed in 1960, but he survived and had spent the last year healing from his injuries.
The team signed their 10th-round pick, defensive back Hank Rivera of Oregon State. Rivera had also been drafted by the Browns, in the fifth round.
The Chronicle reported that the team had renewed head coach Marty Feldman’s contract for another season which included a “small raise.”
Herb Caen of the Chronicle reported that team co-owner Robert Osborne was “fed up with the tightwad tactics of his partners” and was going to sell his share of the team. Fellow owner Ed McGah said he hadn’t heard any such thing from Osborne.
Stadium, Inc., the group responsible for the creation of a new multi-purpose stadium in Oakland, said their board of directors had approved a design that would include a 48,500-seat outdoor stadium and a 10,500-seat indoor arena. They intended to present their plan to the Oakland city council on February 13.
The Tribune reported that the Chronicle’s report on the 28th that the team had renewed head coach Marty Feldman’s contract was premature.
The Bears signed the Raiders 22nd-round draft pick, defensive end Jim Cadile of San Jose State. Cadile had been the Bears’ 4th-round selection.
The team received two more players from the Chargers as part of the Lance Alworth deal: TCU quarterback Hunter Enis and tackle Gene Selawski out of Purdue. Defensive back Dick Chorovich had originally been offered to the Raiders but the team turned him down in favor of Selawski. Also as part of the deal, the Raiders had right of first refusal on players traded, sold, or waived by the Chargers.
The team fired defensive backfield coach George Dickson.
The construction of Frank Youell Field was temporarily held up over a dispute between the team and the Oakland City Council. Two matters were involved: the team was balking at paying the cost to build a press box and two members of the city council were pushing to have the team sign a bond guaranteeing two years of occupancy before signing the lease.
The team's 16th-round selection of the 1961 draft, Wyoming defensive back Chuck Lamson, a redshirt pick, signed with the Vikings.
Rumors began to appear in the press that owner Robert Osborne was looking to sell his share of the team.
The Tribune’s George Ross reported that Ed McGah and Wayne Valley had been negotiating with Robert Osborne for weeks to buy his share of the team but that discussions had recently slowed down.
AFL commissioner Joe Foss was in town as the team and the city of Oakland continued to disagree over the terms of the deal to build Frank Youell Field.
The team and the city of Oakland resolved their dispute over the construction of Frank Youell Field, with the team agreeing to pay for the building of a press box and the city withdrawing its request for the team to sign a performance bond guaranteeing two years of stadium occupancy. Work on the stadium was scheduled to resume on the 26th. Responding to oft-recurring rumors that the team would move out of Oakland, owner Ed McGah acknowledged that the team would lose over $700,000 over the next two seasons but that it “would be unrealistic to think we would move then that big new coliseum is in sight.”
The team traded quarterback Hunter Enis to the Broncos for linebacker Jackie Simpson and a player to be named later.
The team signed a two-year lease to play the 1962 and 1963 seasons at Frank Youell Field.
The Examiner reported that a group consisting of 30 of the team’s limited partners were negotiating with Robert Osborne to buy his 17 percent share of the team, which they hoped would include a voting seat on the board.
The team confirmed ongoing rumors that they had fired offensive line coach Bob Maddock. Former Browns linebacker Walt Michaels was among the people being interviewed by head coach Marty Feldman to replace Maddock.
KFRC Radio announced that broadcaster Bob Blum would be the station’s play-by-play announcer for Raiders games in 1962.
Scotty Stirling of the Tribune reported that within the past week, the AFL conducted a three-round redshirt draft as a supplement to the first 25 rounds that took place on December 2. In this draft the Raiders selected fullback Keith Luhnow from Santa Ana Junior College, tackle Fred Miller of LSU, and guard Marv Marinovich from USC. Luhnow had already signed with the 49ers.
The team announced they were relocating their offices to the Hotel Leamington in mid-March.
The team signed tackle Pete Nicklas out of Baylor, one of Oakland's selections in the 1961 redshirt draft. They also signed free agent cornerback Ben Brown of Oregon.
The Oakland City Council approved, by an 8-0 vote, the plan to build a multi-purpose stadium and indoor arena suitable for long-term use by the Raiders and other tenants they hoped to attract.
Bill Dunbar of the Tribune reported that the team had made an offer to soon-to-be free agent and 49ers receiver RC Owens when his option expired in May. Reports differed as to the compensation offered, but Dunbar’s story said the team had put together a $42,000 package that included $17,000 in salary, a $5,000 signing bonus, and an off-season job offer guaranteed by local business firms to pay $20,000 for the year. Other reports put the total package at around $33,000. Former Raiders owner Harvey Binns was acting as an unofficial go-between on the team’s behalf. Owens said he wouldn’t discuss the matter until his option ran out.
Darrell Wilson of the Chronicle said that receiver RC Owens was weighing both a $33,000 offer from the Raiders that included playing salary, a signing bonus, and an off-season job against a similar offer (probably) from the Montreal Alouettes that totaled $45,000. Raiders general manager Wes Fry said the team had made no formal offer to Owens but that the $33,000 figure “sounded reasonable.”
Guard Herb Roedel announced his retirement from pro football to pursue a career in engineering.
The team signed a pair of free agents: San Francisco State defensive end Julius Varnado and Central State (Oklahoma) center Joe Straw. Varnado had been with the team in 1961 but was cut just before the start of the regular season.
The Tribune’s Scotty Stirling reported that defensive end Charley Powell was planning to resume his professional boxing career and as a result might be giving up pro football.
The team renewed the contracts of head coach Marty Feldman and offensive backfield coach Tommy Kalmanir for the 1962 season. They also promoted Wes Fry from acting general manager to general manager.
The team announced three additions to the coaching staff: former Browns linebacker Walt Michaels to coach linebackers and defensive backs, former Lions tackle Ollie Spencer to coach the offensive line, and former Stephen F. Austin coach Red Conkright to coach the defensive line and head the scouting department.
Citing an “unimpeachable source”, the Examiner’s Prescott Sullivan reaffirmed reports that Robert Osborne’s 17 percent of the team was up for sale. The story added that one of the reasons for Osborne’s wanting to get out was his unhappiness with the firing of Eddie Erdelatz last September and that the re-signing of Marty Feldman was the last straw. The story also added the detail that Ed McGah and Wayne Valley each held a 10 percent share of the team.
Scotty Stirling of the Tribune reported that a member of the Vikings front office had contacted wide receiver Jerry Burch and tackle Bob Voight and had tried to convince them to play out their options in 1962. Raiders general manager Wes Fry accused the Vikings of tampering and said the team would consider filing a protest with the NFL.
The team traded cornerback Joe Cannavino to the Bills for cornerback Vern Valdez.
The team’s 12th-round draft pick, Montana linebacker Gary Schwertfeger, signed with the British Columbia Lions.
Defensive tackle Volney Peters and cornerback Fred Williamson signed their contracts for the 1962 season.
The team released four players: defensive back John Harris, defensive tackle Harry Jagielski, center Harrison Rece, and tackle Paul Oglesby.
The 49ers beat the Raiders in roller derby, 11-8, at the San Jose Municipal Auditorium.
The team’s 1962 schedule was released with the opener coming on September 9 at Frank Youell Field against the Titans and the finale on December 16 against the Patriots in Boston.
The Raiders beat the 49ers in roller derby, 8-6, at the Oakland Auditorium.
The Raiders beat the 49ers in roller derby, 17-15, at the Richmond Auditorium.
The 49ers beat the Raiders in roller derby, 14-13, at Kezar Stadium.
After two months of negotiations, former 49ers wide receiver RC Owens rejected the Raiders offer and signed with the Colts saying he “wanted to stay in the NFL.”
The team signed free agent wide receiver Dobie Craig out of Howard Payne College.
Head coach Marty Feldman said the team had had “preliminary discussions” with former Giants and Cowboys quarterback Don Heinrich but that nothing had been decided.
Robert Osborne announced he was selling his share of the team to Ed McGah and Wayne Valley for a figure the Chronicle estimated to be $10,000. Osborne said he had effectively been out for the past six months because of his health and that the sale process had begun in February. He added that the team had lost nearly $620,000 in 1961 and that he had personally been out more than $200,000 since the team was formed two years ago.
The team announced that, as previously reported, they would open the exhibition season in Atlanta on August 4 against the Texans. They would make their Frank Youell Field debut against the Chargers on August 26. They also announced the team would open training camp on July 13 in Santa Cruz.
Quarterback Tom Flores was hospitalized with an unspecified respiratory problem. Doctors had ruled out viral pneumonia, but Flores had been fighting a high fever and bad cough for several days.
The team’s fifth-round draft pick, halfback Joe Hernandez, signed with the Toronto Argonauts.
The team signed their 22nd-round pick in the 1961 draft, linebacker Blayne Jones. Jones had spent the 1961 season with the Montreal Alouettes.
Linebackers coach Walt Michaels said the team was planning to shift Riley Morris to defensive end.
Quarterback Tom Flores was still hospitalized with an unspecified respiratory condition but his wife Barbara said his condition was improving.
The team reported that season ticket sales had already exceeded 7,000.
Scotty Stirling of the Tribune reported that quarterback Tom Flores was due to leave the hospital in a few days after spending several days there fighting off a unspecified respiratory condition. His doctor wouldn’t rule out the possibility that he had tuberculosis, but he added that tests were inconclusive and he didn’t think that was the most likely explanation. The doctor added that he expected Flores to be able to play in 1962.
Fullback Clem Daniels and linebacker Jackie Simpson signed their 1962 contracts.
Quarterback Tom Flores left the hospital after spending two weeks there recovering from what doctors called a bronchial infection. They had definitely ruled out tuberculosis as the cause.
KFRC Radio announced that Oakland broadcaster Bob Dunn would provide color commentary during 1962 home games with Raiders public relations director Bill Tunnell to fill that role for road games. Ron Reina would produce the broadcasts. Play-by-play man Bob Blum said there were currently four stations on the team’s network and that he expected they would have 10 to 12 stations on board by the start of the season.
The Packers signed a pair of Oakland's draft picks, both out of San Jose State: end Oscar Donahue (12th round) and guard John Sutro (20th round).
The team announced that only rookies and other newcomers would be required to report to the opening of training camp in Santa Cruz on July 13 with veterans not required to show up until the 19th.
The team signed a pair of free agent quarterbacks: San Jose State's Chon Gallegos and Utah State's Mel Montalbo. They added the Montalbo was likely to be tried at wide receiver.
Tackle Cliff Roberts quit pro football to pursue a career in television production sometime around this date.
Wide receiver Bob Coolbaugh and defensive end Jon Jelacic signed their 1962 contracts.
Defensive end Charley Powell retired on or before this date to resume his professional boxing career.
The AFL approved a plan to conduct an allocation draft to bolster the rosters of the Raiders and Broncos. According to the plan, each team could protect 35 players then the Raiders and Broncos select up to three players from the remainder. After the first three rounds, there would be another three rounds where all eight teams would have the opportunity to make a selection. The teams were required to submit their protected lists to the league by August 14.
Quarterback Tom Flores reported that he felt good while still recovering from a lung infection, but his doctor reversed a previous judgement saying he likely wouldn’t play in 1962. A final decision of Flores’ availability for the upcoming season was expected on July 9.
The team hired Jack Hendrickson to be advertising director sometime around this date.
The team traded halfback Wayne Crow and their second-round pick in the 1963 draft to the Bills for quarterback MC Reynolds and defensive tackle Chuck McMurtry.
The team traded tight end Doug Asad to the Bills for tackle John Dittrich.
The team officially announced that quarterback Tom Flores would miss the 1962 season while recovering from a lung infection and bronchiectasis, an abnormal widening of the bronchial tubes. His recovery was expected to continue for a few months and doctors expected him to be ready to go in 1963.
The team purchased the contract of quarterback Don Heinrich from the Dallas Cowboys for an undisclosed amount. They also signed a pair of free agents: guard Joe Parks of the University of Tulsa and running back Hal Lewis out of the University of Houston.
Training camp opened in Santa Cruz for rookies and other newcomers to the team. Two players, defensive back Hank Rivera and defensive end Dan Birdwell were excused from camp while they prepared for the College All-Star Game and were expected to report on August 4. Veterans were to report on the 19th.
The coaches moved Bob Coolbaugh from wide receiver to tight end.
Halfback Tony Teresa was trying to make a comeback from back surgery and asked to be put on waivers because he wouldn’t sign the medical release the team required in order to clear him to play.
Rookie free agent wide receiver Joe Borich checked into his room in Santa Cruz but left town again without notifying the team.
Former Raiders receiver Al Hoisington was re-signed on or before this date.
The team’s trade of tight end Doug Asad to the Bills for ex-Raiders tackle John Dittrich was voided after Asad announced his retirement from pro football because of back problems.
The team signed free agent rookie Stephen F. Austin fullback James Nixon.
Defensive back Leon Akins did not report to training camp.
Rookie wide receiver Dobie Craig turned up at camp with a pulled muscle suffered in a workout back home in Texas.
The team waived halfback Tony Teresa. They also signed free agent tackle Charles Brown from the University of Houston on or before this date.
Three days into training camp rookie defensive back Leon Akins was still a no-show and is presumed to have quit pro football.
Quarterback Nick Papac and cornerback Vern Valdez signed their 1962 contracts.
The team moved rookie Elvin Basham from guard to linebacker.
Defensive back Alex Bravo announced his retirement from pro football.
End Ferrell Yarbrough suffered a dislocated shoulder in practice, apparently a chronic problem for him, and his return was uncertain.
Wide receiver Dobie Craig was still out with a muscle pull.
The team released three players: fullback Ed White, cornerback Ben Brown, and guard Blayne Jones.
Defensive back Mickey Bruce left camp voluntarily with a shoulder injury.
Wide receiver Jerry Burch did not report to training camp, ending his career.
Veteran players were scheduled to report to training camp today.
Halfback Bo Roberson, acquired from the Chargers in the offseason was a no-show and the team planned to fine him an undisclosed amount for each day of his absence.
End Ferrell Yarbrough left the team to rehab his shoulder injury and was expected to be out for the season.
Jackie Simpson and Elvin Basham were competing for the placekicking job.
Halfback Bo Roberson reported to camp, one day late.
Guard Jack Stone, guard Wayne Hawkins, and linebacker Tom Louderback signed their 1962 contracts. There were five remaining holdouts: halfback George Fleming, wide receiver Charley Fuller, cornerback Bob Garner, center Jim Otto, and tackle Bob Voight. Voight was currently at Camp Roberts in San Miguel performing military service.
Defensive end Gary Finneran and defensive tackle Hal Smith announced their retirement from pro football.
Tackle Bob Voight completed his military obligation and reported to training camp.
The team released quarterback Nick Papac
Cornerback Bob Garner and wide receiver Dobie Craig were out with muscle pulls.
Defensive end Riley Morris was on limited duty with a foot injury.
Fullback Willie Simpson was back on the field after missing some time with a pulled muscle.
The coaching staff held the team’s first scrimmage. AFL commissioner Joe Foss was in town for a visit and said he was impressed with what he saw.
Tight end Randall Dorsett and center Joe Straw left camp voluntarily.
The team held a scrimmage for the second consecutive day.
Defensive line coach Red Conkright pulled a hamstring while conducting a drill.
The coaches moved James Nixon from fullback to tight end.
Citing chronic thrombosis in his legs, defensive lineman Volney Peters announced his retirement from pro football.
Tight end Bob Coolbaugh suffered a broken left fibula in a collision with linebacker Tom Louderback and was expected to be out for about ten weeks.
Tackles Bob Voight and Jim Norris missed practice with leg injuries.
Cornerback Fred Williamson pulled his thigh muscle in morning practice but reported for afternoon practice and looked fine.
The Tribune’s George Ross reported that the team was considering trying out cornerback Fred Williamson at tight end.
Wide receiver Dobie Craig and guard Jack Stone were out with the flu.
Raiders play-by-play announcer Bud Foster was reassigned to different duties by KFRC Radio sometime between the end of the 1961 season and this date.
The team released last year’s second-round draft choice, halfback George Fleming.
Defensive back Bob Garner was back at practice after missing time with a pulled groin muscle.
The team held a full-contact scrimmage.
The team offered a training camp invitation to tight end Charles Moore. Moore had been an attendee of the team’s previous two training camps but had not yet made it to the regular season.
On or around this date an unidentified person broke into the team’s training facilities. Among the missing items were nine helmets, five sets of shoulder pads, and team jackets belong to the coaching staff.
The team signed free agent guard Stan Campbell, who had recently been released by the Eagles.
The team was en route to Atlanta for their exhibition season opener against the Texans.
The Texans beat the Raiders, 13-3, in both teams’ exhibition season opener in Atlanta. MC Reynolds started the game at quarterback in a game-time decision. Don Heinrich relieved Reynolds in the second quarter. Texans halfback Abner Haynes rushed for 137 yards, but observers lauded the Raiders for improved defense.
Wide receiver Dobie Craig missed the game with a lingering muscle pull.
Guard Ron Sabal left the team sometime between July 7 and this date.
The team was traveling to Boston where they would play the Patriots on the 11th.
The team held their final two-a-day practice session of camp.
Defensive end Dan Birdwell (groin) and defensive back Hank Rivera (bruised shoulder) joined the team for the first time after playing in the College All-Star Game, but each suffered injuries in the game. Both players were expected to be ready to go against the Patriots on the 11th.
Head coach Marty Feldman announced that players would be fined for missed assignments in games.
The team tried linebacker Al Bansavage at tight end and announced that rookie halfback Gene White was likely to start against the Patriots on the 11th.
Wide receiver Dobie Craig participated in practice for the first time since pulling a muscle in a workout just prior to the opening of training camp.
Head coach Marty Feldman announced that Don Heinrich would start at quarterback against the Patriots on the 11th.
The team revised a recent decision saying Clem Daniels would start at halfback ahead Gene White in the game against the Patriots on the 11th.
In other decisions, Joel Walenta was tabbed to start at middle linebacker ahead of Jackie Simpson and the recently returned Bob Garner was moved ahead of Mel Montalbo in the secondary.
Tackle Charles Brown was held out of practice with a cold.
The Raiders eked out a 21-20 win over the Patriots in Providence. The contest was high-spirited with four personal foul penalties called on each team. Former Raiders fullback Billy Lott and teammate Fred Bruney were each ejected from the game for striking Raider players.
Rookie defensive end Dan Birdwell played only on kickoff coverage and fellow rookie defensive back Hank Rivera didn’t play at all because head coach Marty Feldman didn’t think they were ready.
The AFL held its player re-allocation draft, providing a chance for the Raiders and Broncos to improve their rosters. Teams making selections paid a nominal fee for each choice based on the round: $4,000 (1st round), $3,000 (2nd), $2,000 (3rd), $1,000 (4th), and no cost for fifth or sixth round choices. Each team was allowed to protect 35 players.
The Raiders chose defensive tackle Orville Trask from the Oilers with their first-round pick. They chose two of their own unprotected players in the second and third rounds, then picked another Oilers defensive tackle, George Shirkey, in the fourth round. They made no selections in the final two rounds.
The team was en route to Dallas for an exhibition game against the Texans on the 18th. The coaching staff announced MC Reynolds would start the game at quarterback.
In other depth chart moves, Stan Campbell was to start ahead of Willie Smith at left guard, Pete Nicklas was to start ahead of Jack Stone at right tackle, and rookie Hank Rivera was to start ahead of Tommy Morrow at right safety.
The Raiders lost to the Texans, 22-6, in Midland. Contrary to a report earlier in the week, Don Heinrich started at quarterback ahead of MC Reynolds.
The team acquired tight end Max Boydston from the Texans in exchange for a “low” pick in the 1963 draft.
The team waived four players: linebacker Tom Louderback, guard Willie Smith, linebacker/tight end Al Bansavage, and guard Joe Parks.
The team announced a pair of lineup changes: newly-acquired defensive tackle George Shirkey would start against the Chargers on the 26th and defensive end Joe Novsek would start ahead of Riley Morris in the same game.
Before a crowd of 17,053, the Raiders made their Frank Youell Field debut in a 33-27 loss to the Chargers.
Despite injuring his toe in the game, Don Heinrich went all the way at quarterback and was expected to be available for the Broncos game on the 31st.
Quarterback MC Reynolds missed practice with a case of the flu.
The team waived five players: linebacker Joel Walenta, linebacker Elvin Basham, quarterback Chon Gallegos, wide receiver George Boynton, and defensive tackle Bob Voight. Boynton and Gallegos were likely placed on the taxi squad at the start of the regular season.
Guard Stan Campbell injured his left ankle and was likely to miss the Broncos game on the 31st. The team expected him to be ready for the regular season opener against the Titans on September 9.
Defensive end Riley Morris also suffered an ankle injury but was deemed probable to play against Denver.
The coaching staff said quarterback Don Heinrich, guard Dan Ficca, wide receiver Dobie Craig, and new tight end Max Boydston would all start tomorrow against Denver.
The Raiders lost to the Broncos, 41-12, in the preseason finale in Stockton. Don Heinrich and MC Reynolds split time at quarterback. The Raiders committed six turnovers in the contest.
Six players suffered injuries in the game: cornerback Fred Williamson (concussion), tackle Jim Norris (“possible head injury”), center Jim Otto (pinched nerve in leg), linebacker Charlie Rieves (elbow), defensive back Hank Rivera (dislocated shoulder), and halfback Gene White (knee).
Halfback Gene White was diagnosed with a torn knee ligament requiring surgery to repair and was expected to be out for ten weeks.
Defensive back Hank Rivera was expected to miss three to four weeks while recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Linebacker Jackie Simpson had a cast put on his broken left hand but was expected to be available against the Titans in the regular season opener on the 9th.
| august-31-1962 | < Aug 31, 1962]] | Back to Calendar | Sep 3, 1962 > |
The team traded their fourth and fifth round picks in the 1963 AFL draft to the Oilers in exchange for defensive end Dalva Allen and tight end John White.
The team waived the following players: offensive lineman Glen Hakes, defensive tackle Jim Norris, defensive tackle Jim Brewington, tight end James Nixon, wide receiver Al Hoisington, and fullback Willie Simpson. They put Simpson on the taxi squad soon afterward.
They placed defensive back Hank Rivera and defensive end Riley Morris on the injury deferred list and halfback Gene White joined wide receiver Bob Coolbaugh on the injured reserve list.
The team made a number of position shifts: Jon Jelacic went from left defensive end to right defensive end in place of the injured Riley Morris, Dalva Allen stepped in at left defensive end, George Shirkey moved from left defensive tackle to right defensive tackle, and Chuck McMurtry moved in at left defensive tackle.
Halfback Bo Roberson and wide receiver Charlie Hardy signed contracts for the 1962 season.
The team opened the regular season with a 28-17 loss to the Titans at Frank Youell Field. 12,500 fans attended the team’s first-ever regular season game in Oakland.
Wide receiver Charlie Hardy left the game on a stretcher in the second quarter after a blow to his back. X-rays of the injury were negative.
The team waived quarterback MC Reynolds.
The team traded their first-round pick in the 1963 AFL draft and the signing rights to tackle Fred Miller, chosen in a redshirt draft in February, to the Texans in exchange for quarterback Cotton Davidson.
Center Jim Otto signed a two-year contract with the team that included an option for a third year.
The team waived defensive back Mel Montalbo, and likely added him to the taxi squad soon afterward.
Wide receiver Charlie Hardy (back) was listed as doubtful for the Texans game on the 23rd.
The team shifted John White from tight end to wide receiver.
The team signed defensive back Rich Mostardi and activated quarterback Chon Gallegos from the taxi squad.
Mostardi had been drafted by the abandoned Minneapolis/St Paul franchise and his AFL signing rights had been awarded to Oakland upon that franchise's creation.
The team lost to the Texans, 26-16, at Frank Youell Field.
On or around this team, someone had broken into the team’s training facilities and burgled the place. Among the missing was nine dollars in cash grabbed when the thieves had broken into a soda machine.
Official AFL statistics released today showed the team in last place in total offense at 274.5 yards per game, and in fifth place in total defense at 354.5 yards per game.
The team promoted Rich Mostardi to the starting right cornerback position ahead of Bob Garner.
The team signed University of Oklahoma wide receiver Dick Dorsey as a free agent and placed him on the taxi squad.
The team lost to the Chargers, 42-33, at Frank Youell Field.
With the departure of Charley Fuller yesterday, the team was considering trying Bo Roberson at a wide receiver spot.
The team was en route to Denver for their first road game of the season, against the Broncos.
The team lost to the Broncos, 44-7, in Denver. The loss was the team’s tenth in a row. To add to their woes, the team reported that someone had broken into their Bushrod Park training facilities back in Oakland and had stolen medical supplies. Head trainer George Anderson said that syringes were among the missing items. The break-in was the third such event the team had reported since July.
The team activated wide receiver Dick Dorsey from the taxi squad.
Quarterback Cotton Davidson left the game with an injured shoulder in the fourth quarter and his status for the rematch against the Broncos in Oakland on the 14th was uncertain.
Davidson’s replacement, Chon Gallegos, suffered a bruised ankle from having his foot stepped on, but was able to continue.
Tight end Max Boydston suffered a rib injury and his status would be determined by the result of an x-ray examination.
Defensive linemen Dalva Allen and Chuck McMurtry each suffered ankle injuries.
Head trainer George Anderson said quarterback Cotton Davidson had suffered an injury to his deltoid muscle and associated shoulder ligaments in the Denver game on the 5th and his status for the rematch on the 14th was still uncertain.
Tight end Max Boydston, who suffered a rib injury in the same game, was still awaiting x-rays and his availbility for the upcoming game was doubtful.
Head trainer George Anderson reported that quarterback Cotton Davidson was improving after receiving treatment for an injured shoulder and deltoid muscle.
Quarterback Chon Gallegos had recovered from his ankle enough to participate in practice.
Defensive tackle Chuck McMurtry’s injured ankle was also responding well to treatment.
Defensive end Dalva Allen (ankle) and tight end Max Boydston (ribs) were still awaiting x-rays.
Quarterback Cotton Davidson threw in practice for the first time today since injuring his shoulder against Denver on the 5th.
Head coach Marty Feldman said recently-activated wide receiver Dick Dorsey was liable to start ahead of Charlie Hardy against the Broncos on the 14th. Feldman also planned to start Bo Roberson instead of Clem Daniels at halfback.
Quarterback Cotton Davidson reinjured his shoulder in practice, putting his availability for the Denver game in doubt.
The coaching staff reinstated Bob Garner at the starting right cornerback spot ahead of Rich Mostardi.
The team waived fullback Hal Lewis and activated fullback Willie Simpson from the taxi squad.
The team lost their 11th-straight game, 23-6, to the Broncos at Frank Youell Field. Cotton Davidson started at quarterback, but left the game midway through the second quarter, giving way to Chon Gallegos.
Tackle Charles Brown injured his elbow and his prognosis was uncertain.
After an 0-5 start and an 11-game losing streak, the team fired head coach Marty Feldman and promoted defensive line coach Red Conkright to take his place. The team also fired offensive backfield coach Tommy Kalmanir.
Owner Wayne Valley denied a circulating rumor that the team was planning to relocate while Chronicle columnist Herb Caen said the move was a “sure thing.”
The coaching staff shifted Bob Garner from the secondary to wide receiver.
New head coach Red Conkright said the team planned to use halfbacks Bo Roberson and Clem Daniels in the backfield at the same time.
New head coach Red Conkright said he planned to institute a “Speed-T” or “Running Gun” offense similar to the Shotgun instituted by the 49ers last season, but would instead have the quarterback lineup only three-and-a-half yards back instead of the Shotgun’s seven to facilitate better use of the running game.
Wayne Hawkins was reinstated at the starting left guard spot ahead of Dan Ficca. The team also planned to use Clem Daniels at fullback ahead of Alan Miller.
Left tackle Charles Brown was listed as doubtful for tomorrow’s game against the Bills. To compensate the coaching staff planned to move tackle Jack Stone from the right to the left side and put Pete Nicklas in at right tackle.
In Red Conkright’s head coaching debut, the team lost, 14-6, to the Bills on a muddy field in Buffalo. The loss was the team’s 12th straight.
The team implemented the use of Polaroid cameras in the press box to give coaches and players instant analysis of Buffalo formations.
Head coach Red Conkright made three complaints about their host’s behavior in the team’s loss to the Bills in Buffalo on the 20th. First, he said that the press box phone had been out of commission for most of the game, cutting off communication between him and his staff. Next, he said the Bills had provided only four game balls instead of the requisite 18 and that because of the bad weather, the balls were wet, heavy, and hard to pass. Finally, he said they had sent only the TV broadcast of their previous game, not the all-22 shots they were required to send.
Left tackle Charles Brown had recovered from his elbow injury and was back with the first string.
Defensive back Hank Rivera (shoulder) was activated from injured reserve.
Bob Oates of the Los Angeles Herald Examiner reported that three AFL teams—the Raiders, the Chargers, and the Titans—were all going to relocate prior to the 1963 season. According to Oates, the Raiders were going to Kansas City, the Chargers were going to New York, and the Titans were moving to New Orleans. Chargers owner Barron Hilton called the story a “ridiculous rumor”.
The Raiders lost their 13th game in a row, a 26-16 defeat at the hands of the Patriots on a cold day in Boston. Cornerback Fred Williamson appeared at wide receiver on a couple of plays late in the game.
Defensive back Vern Valdez left the game in the third quarter with a pulled muscle.
Following an experiment to that effect in the Patriots game on the 26th, head coach Red Conkright said he planned to continue using Fred Williamson at both cornerback and wide receiver.
Following an inquiry from Oakland City Council member Robert McKeen, co-owner Wayne Valley reiterated that the team had no plans to move.
The team signed free agent quarterback Hunter Enis.
They waived quarterback Chon Gallegos, wide receiver John White, and defensive tackle Orville Trask.
They activated tackle Jim Norris from the taxi squad.
They put a waiver claim on wide receiver Bill Groman, but the Oilers withdrew him from the waiver list.
Defensive back Vern Valdez was ruled out for the Titans game on the 4th with a torn thigh muscle.
The team was en route to New York for tomorrow’s game against the Titans.
The team lost to the Titans, 31-21, in New York, for their 14th straight defeat.
Defensive back Vern Valdez (thigh) and guard Stan Campbell (throat) missed the game because of injury.
Defensive end Dan Birdwell left the game in the second half with a head injury.
According to the official league statistics released today the Raiders were last in total offense at 251.3 yards per game and 7th in total defense at 351.5 yards per game.
A 28-member citizens’ committee formed by Oakland mayor John Houlihan presented a plan to move and improve Exposition Field, near 8th and Fallon, giving the Raiders a place to play in 1962. The presentation included a plan, already in the works, to move the stadium across the street at a cost of $89,000, and to increase the seating to 20,000 at a cost of an additional $194,000. The Raiders would pay $45,000 in rent during their two seasons of occupancy. The committee was scheduled to meet again on the 15th to take up the matter further.
Team attorney William Hayes said the team had no plans to move in 1963, “although the club (was) awaiting the outcome of the final three home games.” He added that “if there (was) no increase in attendance, (the team would) have to consider other alternatives.”
The team’s injury/sick list was a long one: guard Stan Campbell (throat infection), defensive back Vern Valdez (thigh muscle tear), and wide receiver Dobie Craig (impacted wisdom tooth), for starters. Added to them were four players injured five days ago against the Titans: fullback Clem Daniels (knee), defensive tackle Chuck McMurtry (knee), fullback Hal Lewis (pulled muscle), and fullback Alan Miller (knee).
Willie Simpson was slated to start at fullback ahead of Clem Daniels, who was battling a knee injury, and Joe Novsek would take Chuck McMurtry’s (also a knee) place at defensive tackle for tomorrow’s game against the Oilers.
Defensive backs Vern Valdez (muscle) and Tommy Morrow (unspecified) were expected to be healed enough to play tomorrow.
The Raiders lost their 15th straight, going down 28-20 to the Oilers at Frank Youell Field. Kicker Ben Agajanian made his team debut, but missed two field goals and had an extra point attempt blocked.
Fullback Alan Miller appeared in the game, but was limited going in because of a knee injury.
Defensive back Vern Valdez was critically injured in an early-morning car accident on the Nimitz Freeway when his vehicle hit a bridge abutment. Valdez was in Peralta Hospital with head and chest injuries and was unconscious as of the time of the report.
Defensive back Vern Valdez remained hospitalized following a car accident yesterday, but had regained consciousness and was said to be “much improved.”
The Raiders lost their 16th-straight game, a 10-6 decision to the Bills at Frank Youell Field.
Defensive end Dan Birdwell suffered a knee sprain, while defensive tackle Chuck McMurtry exacerbated an exisiting knee injury and was scheduled for x-rays to determine the amount of damage.
Running backs Alan Miller, Bo Roberson, and Clem Daniels all came into the game with varying degrees of nagging injuries, but among them Daniels and Roberson were the only ones to play.
Guard Stan Campbell returned to action after missing several games with a throat infection, but suffered a dislocated shoulder in the game. He returned to the game after the medical staff popped the joint back together on the sidelines.
The San Diego Union reported that the Raiders had been sold to a New Orleans group, but that the team had planned to delay the announcement until after the season. Co-owner Wayne Valley said there was “absolutely no truth” to the story. AFL founder and Dallas Texans owner Lamar Hunt said he was aware that New Orleans people had talked with the Oakland ownership group, but that he knew no more than that. Hunt added that he would approve the sale and move if it was brought before the league owners.
Houston Oilers halfback and Louisiana native Billy Cannon said he, too, had heard that the deal was done and that New Orleans businessman David Dixon was the leader of the group that had made the purchase.
Defensive tackle Chuck McMurtry, who reinjured his knee in yesterday's game against the Bills, had x-rays and it was determined that he would miss the Texans game on the 25th as a result.
After yesterday's bombshell story that the Raiders had been sold to a New Orleans group and co-owner Wayne Valley's denial of the story, Valley today acknowledged they were in talks with New Orleans businessman David Dixon but that no deal been struck. There were groups in Portland, Oregon, Kansas City, and Cincinnati that had shown interest in addition to New Orleans. Valley said they had also been exploring the possibility of a public sale of stock.
In the midst of the turmoil over the news that the team's ownership was negotiating for the sale of the team to a New Orleans group, AFL commissioner Joe Foss said it was ultimately up to Bay Area fans to keep the team in Oakland by purchasing season tickets.
Raiders community relations director Jack Hennessy said season ticket sales had been booming in response to the story that the team's owners were negotiating with a group that could move the team to New Orleans.
The Raiders lost to the Texans, 35-7, in Dallas, for the 17th-straight defeat.
Quarterback Cotton Davidson hurt his ankle in the game and was spelled by recent acquisition Hunter Enis.
Defensive end Jon Jelacic dislocated his right elbow.
The team reactivated defensive end Riley Morris from the injured list. They also waived defensive back Mel Montalbo.
The Examiner reported that, according to a New Orleans-based source, the David Dixon group trying to buy the Raiders offered the team owners $400,000 for the franchise.
Head coach Red Conkright said that he might start Hunter Enis at quarterback against the Chargers on December 2 and was also considering trying halfback Bo Roberson as a wideout. Conkright also said he planned to cut back on the offense's use of the Running Gun formation, saying that opponents were starting to figure it out.
Fullback Clem Daniels' knee injury was improving and he was expected to be back in the starting lineup against the Chargers.
Defensive tackle Chuck McMurtry (knee) and defensive end Jon Jelacic (elbow) were ruled out for the game.
Oakland mayor John Houlihan and other city and county leaders made a big push to entice the Raiders to stay, including guaranteeing the sale of 12,000 season tickets. In response to the promise, the ownership group “suspended all negotiations” with parties who had made offers. Wayne Valley said that one unidentified offer had reached $700,000 and added that the Kansas City group was particularly eager to buy, but didn't say they were the ones who had offered the 700k.
Both the Chronicle and Examiner reported that, in fact, the Raiders ownership had upped their price to New Orleans to $700,000 and that caused the deal to fall through.
The AFL conducted its college draft today. The Raiders made fullback George Wilson out of Alabama their first pick, in the sixth round, having traded away their first five picks.
Defensive tackles Jim Norris and Joe Novsek were slated to start in tomorrow's game against the Chargers.
Riley Morris and Dalva Allen were to start at defensive end.
Prior to the draft, the Raiders traded their 14th-round selection to the Texans for one or more players to be named later.
The Raiders lost to the Chargers, 31-21, in San Diego, their 18th-straight loss.
The team activated halfback George Boynton from the taxi squad sometime during the week prior to the game.
The team's 17th-round pick in the 1962 draft, redshirt-selection halfback Larry Ferguson from the University of Iowa, was signed by the Lions.
Former team co-owner Charles Harney died from heart disease at the age of 60 in French Hospital in San Francisco.
The team was en route to Houston for tomorrow's game against the Oilers.
The Raiders lost their 19th-straight game, a 32-17 defeat at the hands of the Oilers in Houston.
The team signed their 13th-round draft pick, wide receiver Drew Roberts out of Humboldt State.
Quarterback Tom Flores' personal physician, Jason Farber, said Flores was good to go for 1963.
Center Jim Otto and cornerback Fred Williamson were named official first-team AFL All-Stars as selected by the league's players and published in The Sporting News.
The Raiders broke their 19-game losing streak with a resounding 20-0 victory over the Patriots at Frank Youell Field.
Defensive back Tommy Morrow finished the season with ten interceptions and a tie with New York's Lee Riley for the league title.
The game was Stan Easterling's last as the team's public address announcer.
Tight end Max Boydston and placekicker Ben Agajanian retired from pro football sometime after this date.
Equipment manager Frank Hinek left the team's employ sometime after the end of the season.
General manager Wes Fry said he would not confirm head coach Red Conkright's status for 1963.
Center Jim Otto and cornerback Fred Williamson were named first-team All-AFL by both the Associated Press and United Press International.
Pro Football Illustrated named tackle Charles Brown, defensive tackle Joe Novsek, and linebacker Charlie Rieves to their AFL All-Rookie team and gave Rieves honorable mention in their Rookie of the Year balloting.
General manager Wes Fry said the team had signed a number of their draft picks but was not ready to announce names.
The team signed their 24th-round draft pick, Whittier College tackle Richard Peter.
Melvin Durslag of the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner reported that the Raiders were in negotations with the Chargers to acquire quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Terry Baker, San Diego's 12th-round pick. The Rams had picked Baker in the 1st round of the NFL draft. Durslag did not specify what the Raiders were offering to the Chargers.
Co-owner Wayne Valley said he would not speculate regarding rumors of changes to the team's front office and coaching staff.
The team signed their 12th-round draft pick, McNeese State linebacker Walter Burden.
Center Jim Otto and cornerback Fred Williamson were named to the Western Division squad for the AFL All-Star Game on January 13.
The Raiders signed three draft choices: University of Utah offensive lineman Dave Costa (7th round), Utah State defensive tackle Darnell Haney (13th round), and Texas A&M guard George Hogan (18th round).
Quarterback Tom Flores signed his contract for the 1963 season.