Editing Lester Hayes (section)

==College career==
In college starting in 1973, Hayes played for the [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M Aggies]]. He first played defensive end as a freshman and then linebacker and safety as a sophomore. During his junior and senior years, Hayes settled in as a safety and became an [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Today in Aggie History: Football great Lester Hayes was born |url=https://www.myaggienation.com/am_news/today_in_aggie_history/today-in-aggie-history-football-great-lester-hayes-was-born/article_6b085f60-a1d1-11e4-93b8-7fcb8f1fd357.html |website=My Aggie Nation.com |publisher=BH Media Group, Inc |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref>

Hayes was nicknamed "The Judge."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cox |first=Bob |date=September 7, 1984 |title=Packers hoping to outflank Raider secondary |work=Torrance Daily Breeze |pages=D1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Jay |date=March 25, 1990 |title=Marino angers Miami fans |work=The Orange County Register |pages=c06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Olderman |first=Murray |date=January 28, 1981 |title=Halas Trophy Awarded to Raiders' Lester Hayes |work=Napa Valley Register |pages=13}}</ref> According to Hayes, he received the nickname in [[1975 Texas A&M Aggies football team|1975]] after a win against rival [[Texas Longhorns football|Texas]], as he explained: "They had a partial-mortal, partial-god named [[Earl Campbell]]. I predicted he'd have an off day and gain 21 yards. He gained 23. I passed a [[decree]] on Mr. Earl Campbell."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jenkins |first=Chris |date=November 24, 1985 |title=Unique? Hayes has cornered market |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |pages=H-14}}</ref>

Hayes intercepted 14 passes in his Texas A&M career (returned for 189 yards and a [[Pick 6 (American football)|touchdown]]), ranking second in school history.<ref>{{Cite book |title=2024 Texas A&M Football Media Guide |publisher=Texas A&M Athletics Department |year=2024 |pages=81}}</ref>