You are listening to the Game Plan on the Official Raiders podcast Network. Here's your host, J P. The Brick, former writer World champion Derek Ramsey kind enough to join us. The former tight end special teams former college quarterback Derek. Good to talk to you again. How you been I'm doing, my friend, couldn't be better. Thanks so much for doing this. Let's jump in your early years. I've talked to so many of your teammates and you're one of those guys who played multiple sports quarterback, basketball at college. I mean, you're a hell of an athlete growing up as a kid. What do you that's that too? Who got into sports as a youngster. Well, when you're growing up in the town with this, they always had to find things, ways, stuff to keep you busy. And so when we weren't playing basketball, we're playing football and football and baseball. So we were just staying active. And I believe in part that certainly helped my career as I went along, because there was nothing you couldn't do. Isn't that great? We still tell kids that today. You know, we're in a video game generation now and kids need to be outside more that Derek, you were one of those kids where you probably went out when the sun came up, and came back for dinner when the sun set and played sports all day. Right. That that is exactly right. That is exactly right, and it's something that of course we all cherished as kids. And and uh it also developed that competitive spirit or spirits early on. You know, once you get used to winning. You know, I just said I was a part of that, uh that the world championship, but prior to that, I won four state championships in high school and SEC championship is quarterback Kentucky uh number five ranked Wildcats with Kentucky the high s ranking ever uh to this day. And so all that part fills into you know, the package of Derek Ramsey going to the open readors. Derrek Ramsey's, our guests, take me back to the nineteen seventies six SEC championship in the Peach Bowl, and you're an All American third team, All American Quarterback, first team All s SEC. Did you did you think you had the ability obviously you did to play in the NFL at the quarterback position. Why did you change positions? Well, it wasn't by choice, and uh, let's uh, let's let's call it for what is what is worth? You know, during that time when I got into the league in nine seventy eight, there were five of US guys that had our teams in the top twenty. Of course my team was the highest rank. It was Dennis Franklin in Michigan. There was Terror of the Count at Florida, Thomas f. Lode of Oklahoma, Jarren Moon at UH at Washington and seen something I can't remember teams last name, but over it uh Oarga. And at that time, if you think back in the NFL, UH there was maybe three African American quarterbacks at the time, So it just wasn't the in vogue thing to have an African American quarterback, although the Raiders had drafted a great quarterback back in the nineteen seventy Elder Dickie out of Tennessee Tennessee State rather and so that just wasn't the thing, you know, Derek, I talked to Warren Moon, he's a friend, about this all the time, and I couldn't believe that Warren Moon. Yeah, and when Warren Moon was such a brilliant player, and the fact that he had to go to Canada after what he did at the in the package at the time, and then have to wait that long and be that successful, but where where he's winning great cups on top of it, and then to come back and have people believe the racial element of playing quarterback when you was a kid throwing up and you being able to stay focused and make it to the NFL and two Super Bowls with the Raiders. That had to mold you and give you an edge, didn't it? Absolutely, you would think. But even with Warren and uh as I mentioned, one was in my class well seat, don't want him to play defensive back, okay, and one you know, yes, as you mentioned, he won all those incredible great cups up there, but had warn head coach not gotten the Houston job. I don't know if we were ever seen the likes of wine Moon in NFL. There there there was some guys one of my very good friends, and I was close to being a Hamilton's tiger Cat. We just couldn't work the finances out. But uh I certainly was headed there. I mean, I wanted to play quarterback. That's all I played all of my life. That's what I knew. I knew how to win, I knew how to get things done. Uh, but you know the raid, it was not a bad second alternative. Absolutely tell me about that alternative. Give me an Al David story on how we found you. You're a super gifted athlete at quarterback and tight end. I'm sure Mr Davis loved your strength and your speed and how you let in college and in high school. Talk about the relationship and how you became a writer. There was a lot of conversation before the draft, and now a lot of the NFL people knew that I wanted to play quarterback, and so the word had kind of gotten out there. Uh. Three days before the draft, I thought I was going to Pittsburgh. H Pittsburgh. It called me and told me it was going to draft me in the second round. Uh. But they had to have assurances that if I did that, if quarterback couldn't work out, I wouldn't object to play another position. Well, you know, of course, I mean I want to be a part of a winning team, and they win in the organization, And so that word got around more that I want to play quarterback, and I wasn't going to do anything other than that. And so, as you would have it, we get to the fifth round. I'm still sitting by the by the phone, and I get a call from narrators and uh, what is his name? I can see a space scout that if he had called me, and UH said, looking at no, it wasn't wrong Wolf. It was one of the scouts, uh that that that I met when he came back to Kentucky for a couple of our games to see you play. And uh he said, you know, I talked to Mr Davis and uh he said that if you're if you're certain that you will give another position an opportunity, we're gonna draft club. We're not sure who're gonna play a quarterback, you know, I mean, we're gonna draft as an athlete. And so I said, hey, man, I I just played the NFL, and you know, of course the Raiders was a team as a kid that I followed, you know, and I remember all the great legendary players over there. So I said, the heck to get the opportunity to play for this organization, I'm all in. And so, uh when I got there, you know, we had a few negotiating Uh hang ups. I was negotiating my own contract with one of my dear friends, Steve Artmer, who was on the other side who was in play a personnel at the time. So we're going back and forth and we'd come to a snag and then there in the negotiations, so I said, well, it looks like I'm gonna have to go to Canada to play. And he says, well, I need to go tell Miss Stays your decision. I said, that's fine, and I hadn't met him at that point, and so he comes down the hall and says, you know, it's from welcome your kid to to the Oakan Raiders and understand that you're considering going to Canada. I said, well, Mr Davis, that's not where I want to go. But you know, it's just a financial decision and I'm looking to make the best financial decision for myself. And uh, he said, when we drafted to we had assurances from you that you would uh not go to Canada. You were going to play for our organization. I said, well, that's that's what I want. But you know, again, the money is a dictating Differently, he says, well, uh, you know, it may not be a man of Illward, but I am. He says, you go to Canada, you will never play in this league again. You'll never play in this league. Okay, I said, Okay, I think we can get this work out. Yeah. And then then at that time, certainly I'll definitely had the power for that not to happened. But the incredible thing is that over those five years that I played for the Raiders. Uh. Uh, All and I had a great relationship and uh, you know, we got a snag later in my career. Uh. I wanted to be paid and you know, I just said, a club receiving record for tight ends after the great ram and Chester Dave Casper, and I wanted to be compensated, and so we got into it again and so I was trained and uh. But you know through all that, I respected him, tremendously understood the Raid organization a winning organization, and just that I had five years of the opportunity of putting on the stilding black Uh. One of the one of the incredible experiences of my life. Derek Ramsey joins us as we wrap it up. Derek telling everybody what you're doing with your life now politically, what you've accomplished, and what's the next chapter your life? What have you been up to? That's just uh. December nineteen I stepped down. I had been Secretary of Labor for the common Wealth of Kentucky, and I was a Secretary of Education and Workforce, and last year I was a senior Fellow for the Community College System Office, and best January, I retired and now I'm doing some consulting and uh, just waiting for something that that I really want to do in my career. I'm gonna pick and choose at this point or I'll just stay retired and consulted. I'll tell you your life is remarkable. What you've accomplished as a human being, not just football, but especially politically, and how you've helped so many people along the way. I know what this alumni department thinks of you and your big footprint in life, and you run with the writers and this organization. We can't wait to wait to host you out in Vegas and see out here more. Derek, and I want to thank you for coming on with us. I can't I can't wait to get out there. And much like Mark, I have a great relationship uh as I had with all, I have the same great relationship with Mark, So I am I can't wait to get out there. The guys that I've talked to, have spoken with rather that have seen our so is they are something to behold? Is what I've been told. I can't wait. Uh but where we're the best? I mean, so han't said that. This is what we expect. That's why, that's what we've become accustomed to by being affiliated with the Raiders organization. Well, thank you, sir, Thank you Derek. We'll talk longer down the road when we have more time. Can't wait to see out here. Thanks for making time for us. Look forward to with my friends touchdown in Las Vegas. Since starting Allegiance I'm twenty years ago, we've flown more than one million people to be with those they love. We're pilots, flight attendants, and technicians, but we're also parents, spouses, and neighbors, and just like you, we're excited to reconnect with the people in places that matter most. That's why we're going to distance for health and safety on the ground and in the air, because the further we go now, the safer it will be to go farther Tomorrow. Allegiance, the official airline of the Las Vegas Raiders, lowfairs NonStop flights only at Allegiant dot com. Hey, let's go back to two thousand and ten. I've been hosting TV for the Raiders for a long time and I was hosting Behind the Shield. This was when Hugh Jackson was the head coach and I threw to this feature on TV Welcome back to the show. I'm your host, j T. Earlier this season went fullback Marcel Reese went down to injury. Head coach Hugh Jackson said next man up, and that gave fullback Manas Tonga a unique opportunity. He was ready to go. He's a local product with a bright outlook. There he is, and we have them back, but not say j T. Good to talk to you again. It's been over a decade. How you been of being living the family life. Good for you. I want to begin. Once a Raider, always a Raider, as a local product out of San Mateo. Looking back on your career, All League, All County, those rushing records you put up in high school. You were a hell of a runner in high school. Talk about your early years and how you found early success as a runner. Uh, yeah, you know, I was just fortunate enough. I think I was just blessed to be a little bit more physical and um, a lot faster than most of the kids on the field. UM. But yeah, I was given opportunities. Are you know my coaches that believed in me, uh, great teammates UM and you know, not to mention, just a lot of support family members behind you. So yeah, you know they really gave me the drive and the push to be you know, to be invested to be the best I could be former raid fullback but not s tongue is our guests. So you end up going at b y U and you have a hell of a career there both as a blocker, a receiver and a rusher. How did you find your way to be? YU? Is that we always wanted to go UM. Long story short, I actually signed with the University of Utah to high school UM, but with a lot of coaching changes that took place. UH. I had signed with Ron McBride and then they had a bunch of coaching changes. Ebon Meyer came in for a couple of years, and then Kyle Whittingham took over UM. And in that in that time I had b YU had reached out to me later on and Bronco Minenhaw took over and you know they sold me Brandon Delman was the was the guy who kind of sold me on coming to b y U, And honestly, I think that was the best decision I've made. Then you end up with the Raiders. You signed after going undrafted in the two thousand and ten NFL draft. What was that phone call? Like, how did you know you're on the Raiders radar? Were you aware of that before that draft? Going into that draft? Did you think you would be taken before that? You got the call from the writer is how did that work out? You know, I was I was in constant contact with my agent and you know, he kind of kind of gave me the spields that you know, there's there's teams that are out there. Uh, the Raiders actually were never all my radar um and so honestly it was totally a blessing in disguise. Uh, you know, not being drafted, I was able to kind of select from a few teams, and when Oakland, when the Raiders you know through there, you know, said that they were interested, it was kind of a no brainer for me. I got to go home, you know, I'm playing, you know, front of family and friends, and so for me, it definitely worked out in the end. At one point you backed up Marcel Reis who was a pro bowler, and you were a practice squad guy. When you got your opportunity, you were ready for it. What were the what were the years like on the practice squad in preparation because you were a teammate, You're in there with all your teammates. You were a part of that team. And when you got called up to travel and play. We did that feature on you over a decade ago. You were really motivated. That was an emotional time for you. Oh man, I shtill get I still get butterflies. You know, you're just thinking about that whole experience. Um, you know, being able to you know, that first year being in a practice squad, I was definitely able to learn a lot from Marcel Um and also just the other the running backs in the room. The one thing about being on that Raider squad was, you know, they didn't look at me any different, Um, And and that went for all the practice clad players, you know, from the starters, from the Richard Seymour's down to the little guys like myself. You know, everyone was expected to be ready to come Sunday, and you know they held me to that standard. And so yeah, when my name got called, you know, I was ready. I couldn't wait. And not only that, but my teammates were. They were They're all excited for me, They're happy for me, and they couldn't wait to see me get out there and do what I knew I could do. Yeah, you're highly respected writer, teammate, And I remember the Houston game. Well you got called up and I say, Tonga is our guests, What was it like playing at the end of Al Davis's life? When Al Davis at the end of his life and your coach at the time knew that and a lot of people were concerned about the health of Mr Davis and it was it was a big topic around the Bay Area and around the NFL and you guys are trying to focus to play football games. Yeah, yeah, it was. It was totally, uh, a surreal moment. Um. I remember, you know, the the day it happened, you know, Coach Jackson called us in for a team meeting and broke the news to us. You know, it was heartbreaking. Um, But at the same time, I I for me personally, just knowing the kind of man that he was, you know what he meant not only to the Radar organization but to the NFL was um was definitely something that we're all proud of. And then you know, it kind of gave us that extra Yeah, kept in our step. We wanted or you go out there and and you do it for him, um, And so I I was just fortunately, you know, I found myself lucky too to have been with him, you know, in the last couple of years of his life and just be able to interact with him. I thought that was a that was a huge moment for myself. And then that Houston game was just man, it was all sorts of crazy everything going into that game. Me. That was my first start. I remembering we we you know, emotions were running real high and uh and I even down to that last play. I remember that game like it was yesterday. And most people don't know, but that last play when you know, Huff has that interception, Uh, Taiwan was able to force force a pretty ugly throw. We only had ten players on that defense on that last play. And so for us to finish the game and that way, um, the way we did, the way we're able to fight. Man, I was totally like, you know that was the That is exactly what Raider football is right there. You know the way we finished that's how you know? That was that commitment to excellence that Al Davis was always preaching nicely said, I remember that game yesterday and especially your first start and the impact that you had and the celebration of life afterwards, and how important that chapter was in writer history. When I say, Tongka joins us, finally, what are you doing now with b y U? What's going on in your life? You're a young guy. You have your whole life in front of you. What's exciting? What do you got going on? Man? You know what? I uh, I have kids, you know my my My kids are of age now where I'm able to coach their teams. I was. I was at g A. I went back and you know, got my finished school. Once I've done playing, I went back to b y U as a student assistant and then I was a graduate of sistant for a little bit there, just you know, staying I'm still trying to stay involved in the game of football. You know, this is my passion, this is what I love to do. And so d Yu was you know, great enough to allow me to come back help me finish school. Um, and then just help me work with the team. And and now that I'm done, Uh, the next chapter in life is you know, I'm coaching my kids now and coaching their little league teams. And it's awesome. Yeah, there's nothing better. And it's a it's a great life, a great footprint you've had. It's still developing, last one. Once a writer, always a writer. What does it mean being a member of this organization to you? Oh? Man, uh, I think you said it better. John Gruden says the best. You don't want to water. Always a raider and you you feel it, you see it everywhere I go. Um, it's it's everywhere you know. Just it's definitely it's definitely a family atmosphere. Um, you know, definitely a huge fraternity. Uh yeah. I can't say enough about the organization, just being affiliated with the program, being an alumni here. Um. Yeah, like you said, I'm a decade removed from you know, wearing that shield, but I still feel part of the family and they go out of their way to make me, you know, feel a part of that rare organization. And I love it. Nicely said, and that you mean everything to the organization. That's why we happened. Yon, and I'll say I'll see you when you get out to Vegas for a game this year. It'll be great to connect again. Yes, Sir Jay for having me. Thank you for listening to the game Plan on the Official Raiders podcast network.

You are listening to the Game Plan on the Official Raiders podcast Network. Here's your host, J P. The Brick, former writer World champion Derek Ramsey kind enough to join us. The former tight end special teams former college quarterback Derek. Good to talk to you again. How you been I'm doing, my friend, couldn't be better. Thanks so much for doing this. Let's jump in your early years. I've talked to so many of your teammates and you're one of those guys who played multiple sports quarterback, basketball at college. I mean, you're a hell of an athlete growing up as a kid. What do you that's that too? Who got into sports as a youngster. Well, when you're growing up in the town with this, they always had to find things, ways, stuff to keep you busy. And so when we weren't playing basketball, we're playing football and football and baseball. So we were just staying active. And I believe in part that certainly helped my career as I went along, because there was nothing you couldn't do. Isn't that great? We still tell kids that today. You know, we're in a video game generation now and kids need to be outside more that Derek, you were one of those kids where you probably went out when the sun came up, and came back for dinner when the sun set and played sports all day. Right. That that is exactly right. That is exactly right, and it's something that of course we all cherished as kids. And and uh it also developed that competitive spirit or spirits early on. You know, once you get used to winning. You know, I just said I was a part of that, uh that the world championship, but prior to that, I won four state championships in high school and SEC championship is quarterback Kentucky uh number five ranked Wildcats with Kentucky the high s ranking ever uh to this day. And so all that part fills into you know, the package of Derek Ramsey going to the open readors. Derrek Ramsey's, our guests, take me back to the nineteen seventies six SEC championship in the Peach Bowl, and you're an All American third team, All American Quarterback, first team All s SEC. Did you did you think you had the ability obviously you did to play in the NFL at the quarterback position. Why did you change positions? Well, it wasn't by choice, and uh, let's uh, let's let's call it for what is what is worth? You know, during that time when I got into the league in nine seventy eight, there were five of US guys that had our teams in the top twenty. Of course my team was the highest rank. It was Dennis Franklin in Michigan. There was Terror of the Count at Florida, Thomas f. Lode of Oklahoma, Jarren Moon at UH at Washington and seen something I can't remember teams last name, but over it uh Oarga. And at that time, if you think back in the NFL, UH there was maybe three African American quarterbacks at the time, So it just wasn't the in vogue thing to have an African American quarterback, although the Raiders had drafted a great quarterback back in the nineteen seventy Elder Dickie out of Tennessee Tennessee State rather and so that just wasn't the thing, you know, Derek, I talked to Warren Moon, he's a friend, about this all the time, and I couldn't believe that Warren Moon. Yeah, and when Warren Moon was such a brilliant player, and the fact that he had to go to Canada after what he did at the in the package at the time, and then have to wait that long and be that successful, but where where he's winning great cups on top of it, and then to come back and have people believe the racial element of playing quarterback when you was a kid throwing up and you being able to stay focused and make it to the NFL and two Super Bowls with the Raiders. That had to mold you and give you an edge, didn't it? Absolutely, you would think. But even with Warren and uh as I mentioned, one was in my class well seat, don't want him to play defensive back, okay, and one you know, yes, as you mentioned, he won all those incredible great cups up there, but had warn head coach not gotten the Houston job. I don't know if we were ever seen the likes of wine Moon in NFL. There there there was some guys one of my very good friends, and I was close to being a Hamilton's tiger Cat. We just couldn't work the finances out. But uh I certainly was headed there. I mean, I wanted to play quarterback. That's all I played all of my life. That's what I knew. I knew how to win, I knew how to get things done. Uh, but you know the raid, it was not a bad second alternative. Absolutely tell me about that alternative. Give me an Al David story on how we found you. You're a super gifted athlete at quarterback and tight end. I'm sure Mr Davis loved your strength and your speed and how you let in college and in high school. Talk about the relationship and how you became a writer. There was a lot of conversation before the draft, and now a lot of the NFL people knew that I wanted to play quarterback, and so the word had kind of gotten out there. Uh. Three days before the draft, I thought I was going to Pittsburgh. H Pittsburgh. It called me and told me it was going to draft me in the second round. Uh. But they had to have assurances that if I did that, if quarterback couldn't work out, I wouldn't object to play another position. Well, you know, of course, I mean I want to be a part of a winning team, and they win in the organization, And so that word got around more that I want to play quarterback, and I wasn't going to do anything other than that. And so, as you would have it, we get to the fifth round. I'm still sitting by the by the phone, and I get a call from narrators and uh, what is his name? I can see a space scout that if he had called me, and UH said, looking at no, it wasn't wrong Wolf. It was one of the scouts, uh that that that I met when he came back to Kentucky for a couple of our games to see you play. And uh he said, you know, I talked to Mr Davis and uh he said that if you're if you're certain that you will give another position an opportunity, we're gonna draft club. We're not sure who're gonna play a quarterback, you know, I mean, we're gonna draft as an athlete. And so I said, hey, man, I I just played the NFL, and you know, of course the Raiders was a team as a kid that I followed, you know, and I remember all the great legendary players over there. So I said, the heck to get the opportunity to play for this organization, I'm all in. And so, uh when I got there, you know, we had a few negotiating Uh hang ups. I was negotiating my own contract with one of my dear friends, Steve Artmer, who was on the other side who was in play a personnel at the time. So we're going back and forth and we'd come to a snag and then there in the negotiations, so I said, well, it looks like I'm gonna have to go to Canada to play. And he says, well, I need to go tell Miss Stays your decision. I said, that's fine, and I hadn't met him at that point, and so he comes down the hall and says, you know, it's from welcome your kid to to the Oakan Raiders and understand that you're considering going to Canada. I said, well, Mr Davis, that's not where I want to go. But you know, it's just a financial decision and I'm looking to make the best financial decision for myself. And uh, he said, when we drafted to we had assurances from you that you would uh not go to Canada. You were going to play for our organization. I said, well, that's that's what I want. But you know, again, the money is a dictating Differently, he says, well, uh, you know, it may not be a man of Illward, but I am. He says, you go to Canada, you will never play in this league again. You'll never play in this league. Okay, I said, Okay, I think we can get this work out. Yeah. And then then at that time, certainly I'll definitely had the power for that not to happened. But the incredible thing is that over those five years that I played for the Raiders. Uh. Uh, All and I had a great relationship and uh, you know, we got a snag later in my career. Uh. I wanted to be paid and you know, I just said, a club receiving record for tight ends after the great ram and Chester Dave Casper, and I wanted to be compensated, and so we got into it again and so I was trained and uh. But you know through all that, I respected him, tremendously understood the Raid organization a winning organization, and just that I had five years of the opportunity of putting on the stilding black Uh. One of the one of the incredible experiences of my life. Derek Ramsey joins us as we wrap it up. Derek telling everybody what you're doing with your life now politically, what you've accomplished, and what's the next chapter your life? What have you been up to? That's just uh. December nineteen I stepped down. I had been Secretary of Labor for the common Wealth of Kentucky, and I was a Secretary of Education and Workforce, and last year I was a senior Fellow for the Community College System Office, and best January, I retired and now I'm doing some consulting and uh, just waiting for something that that I really want to do in my career. I'm gonna pick and choose at this point or I'll just stay retired and consulted. I'll tell you your life is remarkable. What you've accomplished as a human being, not just football, but especially politically, and how you've helped so many people along the way. I know what this alumni department thinks of you and your big footprint in life, and you run with the writers and this organization. We can't wait to wait to host you out in Vegas and see out here more. Derek, and I want to thank you for coming on with us. I can't I can't wait to get out there. And much like Mark, I have a great relationship uh as I had with all, I have the same great relationship with Mark, So I am I can't wait to get out there. The guys that I've talked to, have spoken with rather that have seen our so is they are something to behold? Is what I've been told. I can't wait. Uh but where we're the best? I mean, so han't said that. This is what we expect. That's why, that's what we've become accustomed to by being affiliated with the Raiders organization. Well, thank you, sir, Thank you Derek. We'll talk longer down the road when we have more time. Can't wait to see out here. Thanks for making time for us. Look forward to with my friends touchdown in Las Vegas. Since starting Allegiance I'm twenty years ago, we've flown more than one million people to be with those they love. We're pilots, flight attendants, and technicians, but we're also parents, spouses, and neighbors, and just like you, we're excited to reconnect with the people in places that matter most. That's why we're going to distance for health and safety on the ground and in the air, because the further we go now, the safer it will be to go farther Tomorrow. Allegiance, the official airline of the Las Vegas Raiders, lowfairs NonStop flights only at Allegiant dot com. Hey, let's go back to two thousand and ten. I've been hosting TV for the Raiders for a long time and I was hosting Behind the Shield. This was when Hugh Jackson was the head coach and I threw to this feature on TV Welcome back to the show. I'm your host, j T. Earlier this season went fullback Marcel Reese went down to injury. Head coach Hugh Jackson said next man up, and that gave fullback Manas Tonga a unique opportunity. He was ready to go. He's a local product with a bright outlook. There he is, and we have them back, but not say j T. Good to talk to you again. It's been over a decade. How you been of being living the family life. Good for you. I want to begin. Once a Raider, always a Raider, as a local product out of San Mateo. Looking back on your career, All League, All County, those rushing records you put up in high school. You were a hell of a runner in high school. Talk about your early years and how you found early success as a runner. Uh, yeah, you know, I was just fortunate enough. I think I was just blessed to be a little bit more physical and um, a lot faster than most of the kids on the field. UM. But yeah, I was given opportunities. Are you know my coaches that believed in me, uh, great teammates UM and you know, not to mention, just a lot of support family members behind you. So yeah, you know they really gave me the drive and the push to be you know, to be invested to be the best I could be former raid fullback but not s tongue is our guests. So you end up going at b y U and you have a hell of a career there both as a blocker, a receiver and a rusher. How did you find your way to be? YU? Is that we always wanted to go UM. Long story short, I actually signed with the University of Utah to high school UM, but with a lot of coaching changes that took place. UH. I had signed with Ron McBride and then they had a bunch of coaching changes. Ebon Meyer came in for a couple of years, and then Kyle Whittingham took over UM. And in that in that time I had b YU had reached out to me later on and Bronco Minenhaw took over and you know they sold me Brandon Delman was the was the guy who kind of sold me on coming to b y U, And honestly, I think that was the best decision I've made. Then you end up with the Raiders. You signed after going undrafted in the two thousand and ten NFL draft. What was that phone call? Like, how did you know you're on the Raiders radar? Were you aware of that before that draft? Going into that draft? Did you think you would be taken before that? You got the call from the writer is how did that work out? You know, I was I was in constant contact with my agent and you know, he kind of kind of gave me the spields that you know, there's there's teams that are out there. Uh, the Raiders actually were never all my radar um and so honestly it was totally a blessing in disguise. Uh, you know, not being drafted, I was able to kind of select from a few teams, and when Oakland, when the Raiders you know through there, you know, said that they were interested, it was kind of a no brainer for me. I got to go home, you know, I'm playing, you know, front of family and friends, and so for me, it definitely worked out in the end. At one point you backed up Marcel Reis who was a pro bowler, and you were a practice squad guy. When you got your opportunity, you were ready for it. What were the what were the years like on the practice squad in preparation because you were a teammate, You're in there with all your teammates. You were a part of that team. And when you got called up to travel and play. We did that feature on you over a decade ago. You were really motivated. That was an emotional time for you. Oh man, I shtill get I still get butterflies. You know, you're just thinking about that whole experience. Um, you know, being able to you know, that first year being in a practice squad, I was definitely able to learn a lot from Marcel Um and also just the other the running backs in the room. The one thing about being on that Raider squad was, you know, they didn't look at me any different, Um, And and that went for all the practice clad players, you know, from the starters, from the Richard Seymour's down to the little guys like myself. You know, everyone was expected to be ready to come Sunday, and you know they held me to that standard. And so yeah, when my name got called, you know, I was ready. I couldn't wait. And not only that, but my teammates were. They were They're all excited for me, They're happy for me, and they couldn't wait to see me get out there and do what I knew I could do. Yeah, you're highly respected writer, teammate, And I remember the Houston game. Well you got called up and I say, Tonga is our guests, What was it like playing at the end of Al Davis's life? When Al Davis at the end of his life and your coach at the time knew that and a lot of people were concerned about the health of Mr Davis and it was it was a big topic around the Bay Area and around the NFL and you guys are trying to focus to play football games. Yeah, yeah, it was. It was totally, uh, a surreal moment. Um. I remember, you know, the the day it happened, you know, Coach Jackson called us in for a team meeting and broke the news to us. You know, it was heartbreaking. Um, But at the same time, I I for me personally, just knowing the kind of man that he was, you know what he meant not only to the Radar organization but to the NFL was um was definitely something that we're all proud of. And then you know, it kind of gave us that extra Yeah, kept in our step. We wanted or you go out there and and you do it for him, um, And so I I was just fortunately, you know, I found myself lucky too to have been with him, you know, in the last couple of years of his life and just be able to interact with him. I thought that was a that was a huge moment for myself. And then that Houston game was just man, it was all sorts of crazy everything going into that game. Me. That was my first start. I remembering we we you know, emotions were running real high and uh and I even down to that last play. I remember that game like it was yesterday. And most people don't know, but that last play when you know, Huff has that interception, Uh, Taiwan was able to force force a pretty ugly throw. We only had ten players on that defense on that last play. And so for us to finish the game and that way, um, the way we did, the way we're able to fight. Man, I was totally like, you know that was the That is exactly what Raider football is right there. You know the way we finished that's how you know? That was that commitment to excellence that Al Davis was always preaching nicely said, I remember that game yesterday and especially your first start and the impact that you had and the celebration of life afterwards, and how important that chapter was in writer history. When I say, Tongka joins us, finally, what are you doing now with b y U? What's going on in your life? You're a young guy. You have your whole life in front of you. What's exciting? What do you got going on? Man? You know what? I uh, I have kids, you know my my My kids are of age now where I'm able to coach their teams. I was. I was at g A. I went back and you know, got my finished school. Once I've done playing, I went back to b y U as a student assistant and then I was a graduate of sistant for a little bit there, just you know, staying I'm still trying to stay involved in the game of football. You know, this is my passion, this is what I love to do. And so d Yu was you know, great enough to allow me to come back help me finish school. Um, and then just help me work with the team. And and now that I'm done, Uh, the next chapter in life is you know, I'm coaching my kids now and coaching their little league teams. And it's awesome. Yeah, there's nothing better. And it's a it's a great life, a great footprint you've had. It's still developing, last one. Once a writer, always a writer. What does it mean being a member of this organization to you? Oh? Man, uh, I think you said it better. John Gruden says the best. You don't want to water. Always a raider and you you feel it, you see it everywhere I go. Um, it's it's everywhere you know. Just it's definitely it's definitely a family atmosphere. Um, you know, definitely a huge fraternity. Uh yeah. I can't say enough about the organization, just being affiliated with the program, being an alumni here. Um. Yeah, like you said, I'm a decade removed from you know, wearing that shield, but I still feel part of the family and they go out of their way to make me, you know, feel a part of that rare organization. And I love it. Nicely said, and that you mean everything to the organization. That's why we happened. Yon, and I'll say I'll see you when you get out to Vegas for a game this year. It'll be great to connect again. Yes, Sir Jay for having me. Thank you for listening to the game Plan on the Official Raiders podcast network.