Post by TheShadow on Feb 3, 2006 21:51:13 GMT -5
www.raiders.com/
Senior Pastor Napoleon Kaufman spreads the word of God on Sundays. Before
his calling in 2000, Kaufman spread a different message on Sundays: Catch me
if you can. He finished his career 4th on the Raiders all-time rushing list
with 4,792 yards on 978 carries. Kaufman averaged 4.9 yards per carry and
scored 11 touchdowns on the ground. He holds the team record for most yards
in a single-game with 227.
The former Oakland Raider running back sat down with us for our Whatever
Happened to... series and gave us an insight as to who he has become and his
new message.
Q: When did you start playing football?
Napoleon Kaufman: I was probably 8 years old. It was a Pop Warner league in
Lompoc (Calif.) where I grew up.
Q: How did you become a Raider?
Napoleon Kaufman: I was drafted in the first round of the 1995 draft out of
the University of Washington.
Q: “What did it mean for you to wear the Silver and Black?”
Napoleon Kaufman: It was a privilege. Growing up in Central California, I
had the opportunity to be a Raider fan, so to play for
them was a privilege.
Q: What is your greatest memory from playing with the Raiders?
Napoleon Kaufman: All of it was great. The whole experience was great for
me.
Q: Is there any one moment or play that stands out from your career?
Napoleon Kaufman: In 1997, Denver came in undefeated. I had an 83-yard run
against them. They didn’t leave Oakland undefeated. (Kaufman set the Raider
single game rushing record with 227 yards on the ground that day)
Q: Do you keep in contact with any of your former teammates?
Napoleon Kaufman: Most definitely. Tyrone Wheatley (1999 - current) is a
member of our church, as are Steve Wisniewski (1989 - 01) and Robert Jenkins
(1994 - 96).
Q: Which team did you enjoy playing against the most?
Napoleon Kaufman: To be honest with you, I really enjoyed playing against
the (San Diego) Chargers. They had that awesome safety (Rodney Harrison) and
Junior Seau at middle linebacker. They presented quite the challenge come
game time.
Q: Do you still attend any Raider games?
Napoleon Kaufman: I’ve gone to a few every now and then. I try to get to at
least one game per year and I visit the facility at least once a year also.
Q: What are you doing now?
Napoleon Kaufman: I am Senior Pastor and founder of The Well Christian
Community. The Well is a place for people to come get refreshed,
replenished, and rejuvenated. We’ve been out in Dublin for about two years
now.
Q: “Are there any messages you would like to pass along to the Raider fans?”
Napoleon Kaufman: Keep believing, we’re gonna turn things around.