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Catching Up with Raiders Legend "Swervin" Mervyn Fernandez

WR # 86

If you’re half the Raider nut that I am (which I know you are), then you often times find yourself wondering and reminiscing about Raiders’ players of days gone by, which brings me to my subject, Raiders’ legend Mervyn Fernandez.

Mervyn was born in Merced, California, in 1959. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to San Jose, California. While playing wide receiver for Andrew Hill High School, Mervyn would affectionately become known as “Swervin’ Mervyn” for his smooth and cunning play. “My high school quarterback gave me that name,” said Mervyn. “It’s been with me ever since.”

The road to NFL stardom didn’t come easy for Mervyn. Nothing would stop him from achieving his goal of someday playing in the National Football League. Once his prep career ended, Mervyn found himself staying close to home throughout his collegiate career.

Before landing at Division 1-A San Jose State University, Mervyn would have stops at San Jose City College (J.C.) and De Anza College (J.C.). But it was at San Jose State where Mervyn would have the football world taking notice. When the then Los Angeles Raiders drafted him in the 10th round of the 1983 draft, Mervyn’s dream of playing in the NFL was within grasp.

While the 6’-3”, 205-pound Fernandez failed to make the squad that season, it hardly ended his dream of someday playing for the Raiders. Back in the early eighties, there were no NFL Europe or arena leagues, so in order for Mervyn to continue playing at this point, he would have to play in Canada. Had Mervyn made the team that season, he would have won a Super Bowl ring, as the Raiders would be the eventual world champions of Super Bowl XVIII in January 1984.

In 1987, after four highly successful seasons in the Canadian Football League, it would be time for Mervyn to finally live out his dream of playing in the NFL. “You know,” said Mervyn, “it was every kid’s dream to be a professional football player and play in front of a big crowd.”

Mervyn played for the Raiders for a total of six seasons, from 1987 through 1992. During that span, he would play in 86 league games and amass 209 catches for 3,764 yards and 19 touchdowns. While Mervyn never made the Pro Bowl, he did, however, leave his mark on the Raiders’ record books. His 209 career catches are 10th most by any receiver in Raiders’ history. His 3,764 career receiving yards ranks him number 8 all-time, ahead of Art Powell and Hall-of-Famer, Dave Casper. His 18.01 average yards per catch for his c

areer is tops among any receiver to ever wear the Silver and Black.* When you think of all the great receivers the Raiders have had, you can really appreciate what Fernandez accomplished.

One of his most memorable games would come in 1989 against the New York Jets. “It was Art Shell’s first Monday night game,” recalled Mervyn. “The score was 7-7, and they threw me a curl [route]. I caught it and turned it into an 80-yard touchdown; we won the game.”

Yet another personal highlight for Fernandez came in Seattle, against the Seahawks. “There was an over-the-shoulder catch running full speed, probably sixty yards downfield,” said Fernandez. “Jay Shroeder just launched it! I mean it just came down like a missile and I snagged it!”

Mervyn enjoyed great success throughout his tenure with the Raiders; the 1989 campaign was his finest. That year, he would have 57 catches for 1,069 yards and 9 touchdowns, leading all Raiders’ receivers in almost every major category. His 1988 average yard per catch of 25.97 ranks him number 2 all-time in Raiders history for a single season.*

While non-catches are often dismissed before the next offensive huddle, there are always the few that got away and aren’t easily forgotten. “We were playing the 49ers at Candlestick,” said Mervyn. “Steve Beuerlein threw me a corner route, and I caught the ball with one hand, leaning over the sidelines trying to stay in bounds. They said that I was out of bounds; the replay showed that I was in bounds.”

Speaking of the one that got away, Swervin’ Mervin loves fishing! “That’s one of the reasons I moved out here,” said Mervyn, who now resides in Morgan Hill, Ca. “I fish at all the lakes around here. My next-door neighbor is a professional guide. We just got back the other day; we’ve been fishing stripers with a fly (rod). We caught thirty 30” to 50” stripers!” No, that’s not a typo-- 30” to 50” stripers.

When Mervyn’s not fishing, he keeps himself busy with his job and family. “I work for a company called Quality Windows and Doors. I’m a broker, I sell windows and doors,” said Mervyn. Once the workday is over, he is “just staying busy, chasing after the kids.”

Mervyn also continues to follow the game he loves, football. “I still follow the team and I follow the game,” said Mervyn. “I watch all football just because I enjoy watching the game. I love the game. I still know players on the team, and that’s where I played, so I follow them the most.”

As is the case with most former Raiders’ players, Mervyn remains in contact with the organization. “I think everybody should experience it,” said Fernandez on playing for the Raiders. “The Raiders actually have a family unit. You know guys can go back to games and are welcomed. They do a lot of things for the ex-players. It’s a closeness that you don’t get from other teams.”

Raiders’ Hall of Fame center Jim Otto, among others in the organization, call on Mervyn frequently and keep him involved with all the happenings. “I still do promotional stuff with them. I work at some of the games sometimes, and there’s a lot of different things going on within.”

Thanks for the memories Swervin’ Mervyn; you’ll always be a Raider… and one helluva fisherman, according to those 50” stripers!

*(Source for stats: “Oakland Raiders press guide 2001”, “Raiders collection edition” by Joseph Hession and Steve Cassady, and “Football Reference.com http://www.football-reference.com/players/FerMe00.htm)