Post by TheShadow on Feb 3, 2006 22:15:23 GMT -5
www.raiders.com/
Robert Jenkins played tackle for the Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders. From
1994 through the ’96 season, Jenkins manned left tackle or right tackle,
whatever was asked of him. But, Jenkins has an interesting footnote to his
football career - he may be the only football player to have ever played his
entire career, Pee Wee ball to the professional ranks, in one state. Every
team he played for was in California. Jenkins’ journey took him from
Richmond to Los Angeles to Oakland.
We had a chance to catch up with “JYD” for our Whatever Happened to...
series.
Raiders.com: When did you start playing football?
Robert Jenkins: I started playing football when I was 8 years old in
Richmond (CA).
Raiders.com: How did you become a Raider?
Robert Jenkins: I was drafted by the L.A. Rams in the 6th Round out of UCLA.
I played with the Rams for eight years and then had the opportunity to sign
with the LA Raiders as an unrestricted free agent. When we moved to Oakland,
I moved home.
Raiders.com: What about this nickname, “JYD?”
Robert Jenkins: JYD stands for “Junk Yard Dog.” Steve Wisniewski (1989-01)
gave it to me and it kind of stuck. Now it’s taken on an iconic stature of
its own.
Raiders.com: What did it mean for you to wear the Silver and Black?
Robert Jenkins: It was an honor to play for the Raiders and it’s an honor to
be associated with the Raiders to this day. The real highlight of my career
was coming home with the Raiders. I was able to come home to Oakland and
play for a team and an owner that is one of the finest franchises in all of
sports. It was my dream come true. I followed in some great footsteps. I can’t
describe to you what it feels like.
Raiders.com: What is your greatest memory from playing with the Raiders?
Robert Jenkins: In 1995 we started the season 8-2. We were on top of the
world. We felt like we were a team of destiny. The feeling in the locker
room was that once we put our capes on, we were superheroes; we couldn’t be
beat. And then the worst happened: (QB Jeff) Hostetler (1993-96) went down
with an injury. Our season fell apart after that. We ended the season on a
sour note, losing six in a row. I know it’s not a great memory, but that’s
what sticks out.
Raiders.com: Is there any one moment or play that stands out from your
career?
Robert Jenkins: I would have to say the NFC Championship against the (SF)
49ers. We (LA Rams) came up short in that one. We earned the Wild Card
Playoff berth and beat Philly (Philadelphia Eagles) and the N.Y. Giants to
advance to the NFC Championship. But the Niners were just too much.
Raiders.com: Which team did you enjoy playing against the most?
Robert Jenkins: I liked playing the (Denver) Broncos. I didn’t care where we
played them as long as we won. Going up against them and beating them made
me feel great because they trained in the mountains of Colorado. The air up
there is thinner, there’s less oxygen. If you’re not used to it, the lack of
oxygen will get to you. But the Broncos train up there, they’re used to it.
Even when you come down to sea level you have an advantage. To beat them
meant we were beating some kind of superior athlete.
Raiders.com: Do you keep in contact with any of your former teammates?
Robert Jenkins: Of course. I see Napoleon (Kaufman) (1995-00) and Wiz (Steve
Wisniewski) quite a bit at church. I talk to Don Mosebar (1983-94), Mervyn
Fernandez (1987-92), Napoleon McCallum (1986, 1990-94), and Kevin Gogan
(1994-96) too. You see and talk to everybody all the time. If you stay
connected, they are here. We’re a family.
Raiders.com: Do you still attend any Raider games?
Robert Jenkins: I attend every home game. Sometimes I travel too. My family
has tickets in section 110. We own almost the entire row. I participate in
Raider Legends events, radio play-by-play, and I interact with the community
and the crowd during the game.
Raiders.com: What are you doing now?
Robert Jenkins: After I left the Raiders in 1996 I coached for almost three
years. I was an assistant offensive line coach for the Raiders. After my
third season of coaching I took some time away to take care of my
grandmother. I obtained my real estate broker’s license and began building a
business with my wife. We’re a husband and wife team. A few years ago I got
involved in church ministry. We started The Well Christian Community.
Starting up a church is a unique responsibility but it’s amazing what you
can do when God is your CEO. I also have some small venture capital start-up
companies.
Raiders.com: Are there any messages you would like to pass along to the
Raider fans?
Robert Jenkins: Keep God first and everything else will fall into place. God
loves The Raiders.