A former Raiders head coach, now 88 years old, still quietly helps maintain Allegiant Stadium every morning. He says that when he hears the fans shout “Raider Nation,” every ache of age disappears.
Las Vegas, NV – Long after the cheers faded and the headset came off, a former Las Vegas Raiders head coach still reports to work at Allegiant Stadium — not to call plays, but to care for the very field he once commanded.
Now 88 years old, he begins each day before sunrise, helping the grounds crew maintain the turf that has seen generations of Raiders players come and go. For him, it’s not about nostalgia — it’s about belonging.
That man is Tom Flores, who coached the Raiders from 1979 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 2000, leading the team to two Super Bowl victories and becoming the first minority head coach to win the NFL’s ultimate prize. His leadership, vision, and strategic mind were integral to the Raiders’ success during his tenure.
Flores’ legacy is defined not only by his coaching acumen but by his ability to inspire players to give everything on the field. Under his guidance, the Raiders flourished, earning the respect of their opponents and becoming an iconic franchise in the process.
Teammates and players called him “The General” — not just for his tactical genius, but for the calm, steady leadership he provided during some of the most important games in Raiders history.
After his retirement from coaching, Flores remained involved with the team and the community, becoming an ambassador for the Raiders and working in various charitable initiatives before eventually returning to Allegiant Stadium, the place that felt most like home.
Today, he can be seen walking the field with a rake in hand, fixing divots and checking the turf before each home game. When asked why, he just smiles and says it keeps him close to the game that shaped his life.
For Tom Flores, the roar of the Raider Nation still carries the same warmth it did when he was coaching — a reminder that once you’ve been a Raider, you always are.
Bills Legend Eric Moulds Sells Final Game-Worn Jersey to Support Teammate Battling Parkinson’s Disease
Buffalo, NY – November 1, 2025
In a gesture that’s brought a wave of emotion across
game-worn jersey from his final season to support a former teammate now facing the hardest battle of his life.
For fans who remember the late ’90s and early 2000s, Moulds was the lone constant in an era of instability. Known for his precision routes, contested catches, and quiet leadership, he became the franchise’s beacon of hope through years of quarterback turnover. From 1996 to 2005, he posted
675 receptions, 9,096 yards, and 48 touchdowns, including a historic 100-catch season in 2002, earning three Pro Bowl selections and a permanent place among the Bills’ all-time greats.
That former teammate is Takeo Spikes, the relentless linebacker who commanded Buffalo’s defense with passion and authority. During his time with the team (2003–2005), Spikes recorded over 200 tackles
, earned two Pro Bowls and an All-Pro selection in 2003, and became known as the emotional core of the defense — the “defensive quarterback” who brought fire to every down.
💬 “We carried this team through the storms — him on defense, me on offense,” Moulds said quietly. “Now that he’s fighting something far tougher than any Sunday battle, I want this jersey to fight for him — the same way he fought for Buffalo.”
Spikes, beloved for his intensity and leadership, has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder that has gradually affected his movement and coordination. Despite the diagnosis, those close to him say his trademark energy and optimism haven’t faded — he continues to train, mentor young athletes, and advocate for player health awareness.
Moulds’ decision to sell his final jersey isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about brotherhood. The proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Bills Alumni Health & Wellness Fund
, supporting Spikes’ treatment and ongoing medical research into Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative conditions among retired NFL players.
💬 “This jersey carried our pride, our pain, and our fight,” Moulds reflected.
