The Oakland Raiders were saddened to learn of the passing of former running back/tight end and special teams captain Derrick Jensen. Jensen played in 106 league games with 22 starts for the Raiders from 1979 – 1986. He rushed for 780 yards and five touchdowns, and caught 44 passes for 384 yards and three scores. He also appeared in 11 playoff games, including Super Bowls XV and XVIII.
"Derrick epitomized the perfect Raider and he will always hold a place in Silver and Black lore," Raiders Owner Mark Davis said. "He will be missed dearly by the Raiders family and our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones."
The Raiders originally selected Jensen in the third round of the 1978 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas at Arlington, where he rushed for 3,336 yards and 14 touchdowns during his four seasons.
His single greatest contribution to the Silver in Black came on special teams in Super Bowl XVIII. Jensen broke through the Washington Redskins formation, blocked punter Jeff Hayes' early first quarter-punt, and recovered it in the end zone for the game's first score. The Raiders went on to defeat the Redskins 38-9 and claim their third Super Bowl title.
Jensen served as a member of the Seattle Seahawks scouting department from 1991 – 2012. He left the Seahawks upon his diagnosis of ALS in December 2012.
Prior to the Raiders' 2013 preseason game at Seattle, Raiders Owner Mark Davis and General Manager Reggie McKenzie presented the two-time Super Bowl champion with a commemorative jersey. The Seahawks honored Jensen with the opportunity to raise the 12th Man flag during pregame festivities that night.
Jensen was 60.
