The Las Vegas Raiders and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) will present the inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic between two storied football programs, Grambling State University and Jackson State University, on October 25, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium. The game will extend far beyond the playing field, showcasing two of college football's most celebrated marching bands: Grambling's "World Famed" Tiger Marching Band and Jackson State's internationally renowned "Sonic Boom of the South."

As kickoff draws near for the Las Vegas HBCU Classic, we feature legendary Oakland Raiders tight end Raymond Chester, who is among more than 80 players and coaches who have worn the Silver and Black and hail from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Over 57 years ago, a young Chester was a major part of history when his Morgan State squad played Grambling State in 1968 in what was acclaimed as the greatest-ever showcase of HBCU football teams.

The Silver and Black selected Chester in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft out of Morgan State. The tight end had two stints in Oakland — 1970-72 and 1978-81 — and in 103 games with 65 starts for the Raiders, caught 216 passes for 2,891 yards and 37 touchdowns. He was a member of the Raiders 1980 team that beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10, in Super Bowl XV and earned Pro Bowl berths from 1970-72 and 1979. Sandwiched between the Baltimore native's terms with the Raiders were five seasons with his hometown Colts from 1973-77.

After his playing career, Chester remained active in various capacities. He worked in the business sector and contributed to the community by engaging in youth sports programs and mentoring young athletes, many times representing the Raiders. An avid golfer, he managed the Lake Chabot Golf Course for over 20 years and has served as a consultant for golf course development and management. He also held an executive position for the Raiders coordinating ticket sales.

He is a member of the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame, Black College Football Hall of Fame and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. He is certainly worthy of inclusion into the Pro Football of Fame as his play throughout this professional football career stacks up with and above some of those who are already enshrined in Canton.

The September 28,1968, matchup pitted the reigning Black College National co-champions, with Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association winner Morgan State coming off an undefeated season (8-0) while Grambling, who captured the Southwestern Athletic Conference crown, went 9-1 in 1967. The teams were led by all-time great coaches in Grambling's Eddie Robinson and Morgan State's Earl Banks.

This contest was characterized as much more than a mere game between two storied HBCU football teams. It was hailed "…as a turning point… a cultural and commercial milestone for HBCU football" which "spotlighted Black college talent on a national stage, helping open the doors of the NFL and AFL to HBCU athletes and propelling the careers of 31 players who went on to play professional football."

Chester accounted for all of Morgan State's points, scoring the winning touchdown as well as blocking a punt that resulted in a safety in front of a sold-out crowd of over 60,000 fans and a national television audience when his Bears beat the Tigers, 9-7, in a thrilling, neutral-site contest played at New York's iconic Yankee Stadium.

Chester recently sat down to discuss the day that changed the game for Historically Black Colleges and Universities — both on and off the playing field — as well as the upcoming contest pitting Grambling versus Jackson State. The Raiders alumnus also spoke to the organization's commitment to diversity that dates to before his time with the Silver and Black, how the organization is acknowledging those players who forged their path to the pros after playing at HBCUs and how Las Vegas, and Allegiant Stadium, are perfect locations and venues to showcase the HBCU experience of culture and community.

QUESTION: Take us back to this big game pitting two HBCU powerhouses football programs. What was the mood around your squad, which would travel from Baltimore to New York City to play on the grandest of stages?

ANSWER: We realized the tremendous opportunity it was to go and represent historical Black colleges on the biggest platform that could be presented on. Yankee Stadium was huge; New York City was huge. Morgan State had lots of success on the small college level. We won championships and had undefeated seasons and had a whole wealth of players that had already been drafted into the NFL and the AFL. Grambling also accomplished greatness and had so many great athletes that went on to play professional football as well as produced players in the NBA.

Q: Was the social, political climate during this tumultuous time taken into consideration?

A: The idea that these two schools could generate enough fan attention, media attention to fill Yankee Stadium in New York was unheard of. When you consider the political times, it was a very tense time in the United States. Civil rights and activism were at their height. Anti-civil rights organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and others were highly active. The big headline prior to the game was the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which had the whole country in turmoil. There was a concerted effort to stop the game, thinking that to have that many primarily African Americans students and fans in Yankee Stadium in that time of turmoil and grief and controversy was a bad idea.

Q: Do you recall the crowd ringing out an impromptu version of "We Shall Overcome" following the game and would you say that the game showcased unity in a divided nation and was an unmitigated success?

A: I do recall the crowd holding hands and singing and I recall the media after the game complimenting both schools on, number one, the level of play and the competitiveness of the game. But moreover, there were no incidents. The fans were exuberant and loud and cheered for their teams. But there was no activity that was negative, the fans behaved themselves with the utmost of respect for the law, respect for the game, respect for their institutions.

It was absolutely a moment of power that was demonstrated, in terms of the economic power in filling Yankee Stadium and filling hotels and restaurants in New York City. It was a demonstration of political potential, political power, but it was a tremendous representation of dignity, class, respect and composure from the Grambling and Morgan State fans as well as everyone else, many from other HBCUs, that decided to attend that game.

Q: Fast forward, what are your feelings on another big-stage moment for HBCUs when Grambling State faces Jackson State in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium on October 25?

A: After that 1968 game, that demonstrated that our historically Black colleges are no different than any other competitive college in terms of how they engage with their teams. They travel, they spend money, they stay in hotels. And they know how to conduct themselves in a businesslike manner and they're sought after. Las Vegas and cities that have large facilities and can handle large crowds for special events, and specifically, Allegiant Stadium which is beautiful with not a bad seat in the house, it has the same allure for those attending this game as it does for people all over the world.

Q: Do you take pride in these HBCUs playing in the home stadium of the team that you played for, the Raiders?

A: Absolutely! This is prideful for me because the Raiders, going back to the '60s, along with a couple of the AFL and AFC teams, were instrumental, first, on the cutting edge of really disregarding any stereotype against players from small colleges and historical Black colleges. The Raiders became a featured team for Black Americans, for Native Americans, for Hispanic Americans and have always been a shining example of diversity, inclusion and opportunity. So, the whole idea that a game like this is going to be held at Allegiant Stadium is only fitting and proper that it is held on one of the biggest stages in the country, perhaps in the world and I hope that there will be a ton of Raider fans there.

Q: What can those attending the Las Vegas HBCU Classic expect?

A: Boy, oh, boy, you're talking about exciting, rocking and rolling. The bands, the cheerleaders, the majorettes and the fans are absolutely incorporated in the whole show. When the bands play, not only the fans, but the vendors will be rocking. The fanfare, the attire, just the excitement, the joy and the socialization, they're rooting for their team with everything they have. And then when the game is over, if their team happens to not have won, the joy is still there. The losing team's fans are disappointed, but they're still ready to celebrate and enjoy and have a good time peacefully. In this day and age, that is awesome.

Q: You mentioned the bands. Not only will you see two storied universities battle on the field, but you will also be treated to two celebrated bands: Grambling's "World Famed" Tiger marching band and Jackson State's "Sonic Boom of the South."

A: What better place to celebrate that combination than in Las Vegas, which is the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World! This event is a perfect marriage and hopefully there'll be success in putting on a full-flighted HBCU demonstration of fun and good competition, good football and you know the bands will do their things. A lot of times when people go to HBCU games, they leave there saying that the band was the best entertainment. We should expect some good, wholesome fun in this HBCU game, especially in Las Vegas and at Allegiant Stadium.

Q: Thank you, Raymond. Is there anything else you wish to add?

A: You know, the beautiful thing too is that Mark Davis and the Raiders administration were really thoughtful. They sent invitations to all their alumni who happen to have been alumnus of HBCUs and extended a warm welcome and would sponsor those players if they decide to come to the game. Hats off to the Raiders, they are as classy and generous as always to former players and staff, and hopefully it's a wonderful event.

For information on tickets and travel packages when Grambling State faces Jackson State in the Las Vegas HBCU Classic on October 25 at Allegiant Stadium, visit allegiantstadium.com/lvhbcuclassic.