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- calendar_today October 14, 2026
Eight Former Raiders Players Become Alumni Peer Captains
The Las Vegas Raiders have named eight alumni as Peer Captains in a renewed initiative to support former players transitioning from their football careers. Lincoln Kennedy, a distinguished Raider on the field and now a broadcast veteran, is among those stepping into this pivotal leadership role designed to foster community and well-being among Raiders alumni.
Supporting Transition and Wellness
The Peer Captains program is part of the Raiders Alumni Department’s ongoing effort to maintain connections and provide essential resources for former players. After a three-day training session at Raiders Headquarters and the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Kennedy and his fellow captains are now equipped to act as trusted contacts for Raiders alumni across different regions.
"The hardest thing I realized coming out of the league was making that transition into regular life," Kennedy reflected after his training. He emphasized the importance of peer-to-peer support in easing the feeling of isolation many former players encounter after leaving the NFL.
Meet the New Peer Captains
Joining Kennedy as Peer Captains are Darrick Brown, Grant Irons, Taiwan Jones, Vance Mueller, Bill Pickel, Korey Toomer, and Dan Williams. Each brings unique experiences from their time with the Raiders, spanning generations and various team eras:
- Darrick Brown – Joined as an undrafted free agent in 2008
- Grant Irons – Played four seasons from 2003-2006, following his father, Gerald Irons
- Taiwan Jones – Six seasons with the Raiders, third-round pick in 2011
- Vance Mueller – Five seasons starting in 1986 after being drafted in the fourth round
- Bill Pickel – All-Pro defensive lineman and Super Bowl XVIII champion
- Korey Toomer – Las Vegas native, spent 2015 with the team
- Dan Williams – Played two seasons (2015-2016), and 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee
The Raiders Alumni Peer Support Program
Started in 2021 and relaunched after a review in the previous year, the alumni peer captains program aims to create a strong network for former players. Lindsey Sanders, Director of Alumni Benefits and Resources, noted the complexity of adjusting to life after football, highlighting challenges such as identity shifts, financial changes, and social disconnect.
The Raiders received 94 applications for the Peer Captain role, interviewed 24 candidates, and selected eight for three-year terms, each responsible for outreach in specific geographic regions.
Training and Preparation for Peer Support
The inaugural "Peer Captain Training Camp" included sessions on the responsibilities of peer captains, recreating locker room support, and details on former player benefits and resources. The training featured a workshop from the Life Is Worth It Organization on suicide and self-harm awareness, adapted to help Peer Captains identify and refer alumni in need of mental health support.
Keith Moody, a former Peer Captain and Super Bowl XV champion, also addressed the group, sharing insights on the importance of peer influence in helping fellow alumni navigate post-football life. "When your peer tells you something... it's a lot easier for the guys to understand," Moody explained.
Reflections from New Peer Captains
Vance Mueller expressed appreciation for the Raiders’ ongoing commitment to their alumni, sharing, “It's a great honor to be in this role and have a chance to reach out to all our fellow alumni.”
Taiwan Jones, who recently retired, highlighted the program's significance for players facing fresh transitions: "If I can make my experience a learning experience for others so they don't have to go through it and feel what I felt, that'll be awesome."
Continuing the Raiders Legacy of Support
The Raiders alumni peer captains program exemplifies the franchise’s motto, "Once a Raider, Always a Raider," fostering meaningful connections and ongoing support among generations of former players. By strengthening peer outreach and focusing on wellness, the Raiders organization remains dedicated to ensuring alumni feel valued and supported far beyond their days on the field.
Source: renonews.net.
