Rod Martin played his college home games at the Los Angeles Coliseum, but confided to his boss after the 1981 season he wasn’t all that excited about going back home as a professional.
Owner Al Davis had moved the Raiders against the NFL’s wishes from Oakland to Los Angeles. Martin was a 12th-round draft pick in 1977 with more potential than power.
“I talked to Mr. Davis and told him, ‘I fell in love with the Oakland Raiders. I would like to play in Oakland,’ ” Martin said in a phone interview. “He said, ‘Well, son, I’m signing your checks in L.