Post by TheShadow on Feb 3, 2006 22:26:15 GMT -5
www.raiders.com
Jeff Gossett was a journeyman punter before the Raiders traded for him
during training camp in 1988. He had been with five different NFL teams and
one USFL team in his eight-year career, but he found a home with the
Raiders. From 1988 through the 1996 season, Gossett averaged 41.7 yards per
punt, including a career best 44.2 yards per punt in 1991, which earned him
a spot in the Pro Bowl.
We had a chance to catch up with him for our Whatever Happened to... series.
Raiders.com: When did you start playing football?
Jeff Gossett: I was eight years old. I think it was a recreational league
back home in Danville , Illinois.
Raiders.com: How did you become a Raider?
Jeff Gossett: I was traded from the Houston Oilers to the Raiders in
training camp of 1988.
Raiders.com: What did it mean for you to wear the Silver and Black?
Jeff Gossett: It was the best. Mr. Davis is the best owner I played for. He
was all football. He wanted to win and didn't care about anything else. He
gave me the confidence I needed to succeed on the field.
Raiders.com: What is your greatest memory from playing with the Raiders?
Jeff Gossett: Playing with some of the greatest athletes ever to play this
game. I got to play football with Bo Jackson, Steve Wisniewski and Marcus
Allen. That was the highlight of my career.
Raiders.com: Is there any one moment or play that stands out from your
career?
Jeff Gossett: Of course. The last game I ever played, at Seattle, Coach
called a fake punt. It was 4th and 12. I got 11 yards and seven broken ribs.
I punted a few more times in the game but that was it. I still feel those
ribs once in awhile.
Raiders.com: Do you keep in contact with any of your former teammates?
Jeff Gossett: Oh yeah. I talk to Jeff Jaeger (1989-95) all the time, as well
as Billy Joe Hobert (1993-96). Tim Brown lives out here in Dallas, so once
he retires I'll try to get in touch with him.
Raiders.com: Which team did you enjoy playing against the most?
Jeff Gossett: I really liked playing against Kansas City a lot. They have
great fans. I used to play there so going back was great. I also liked
playing against Denver and Seattle . The fans are loud, so blasting a long
punt to quiet them down always felt good.
Raiders.com: Do you still attend any Raider games?
Jeff Gossett: I try to get to at least one game a year. Oakland is kind of
far from Dallas but I try.
Raiders.com: What are you doing now?
Jeff Gossett: I sell scoreboards for NEVCO. We sell nationwide but I'm based
here in Dallas and sell primarily in Texas.
Raiders.com: Are there any messages you would like to pass along to the
Raider fans?
Jeff Gossett: We have the best fans in the league. There are more Raider
fans to greet us on the road at our hotel, or the airport for that matter,
than I've ever seen. Keep it up; keep supporting your team, your players. It
may not look like it helps, but believe me, it helps a lot.