Connect with us

Feature

RAIDERETTE PART OF 1980 SUPER BOWL

Before there was Pia Gillan (Seattle Sea Gals) and Maria Manibusan DeCabooter (Arizona Cardinals), there was Oakland Raiderette Deborah Luck.

[useful_banner_manager_banner_rotation banners=9,17,18 interval=8 width=120 height=600 orderby=rand]

By Patrick Lujan

Before there were Pia Gillan (Seattle Sea Gals) and Maria Manibusan DeCabooter (Arizona Cardinals), there was Oakland Raiderette Deborah Luck.deb1

The daughter of 1947 Miss Guam Delfina Carbullido Luck, Deborah hit the NFL sidelines with the Oakland Raiders when Tom Flores was the head coach and Archbishop Felixberto Flores would joke about their relation, Devo was whipping it on the radio and even Guam folks were wondering ‘who shot J.R.?’ in Dallas.

GSPN was fortunate enough to make connection with Deborah Luck via social media – a thought not imaginable back then.

GSPN: What years did you cheer for the Raiders?

Luck: 1979-1982 I tried out on a dare. The boy I was dating said something silly like, “You couldn’t be a Raiderette!” and I showed him. Nearly 600 girls tried out and they chose 13 of us.

GSPN: What are the fondest memories of being a Raiderette?

Luck: Beyond a doubt, meeting my best friend and being a part of this amazing sisterhood! I not only was able to attend one Super Bowl but did go to another one. The year I went as a Raiderette we were one of the first teams to go and win as a Wildcard. Plus that same year was Battle of the NFL Cheerleaders of which we won the AFC.

GSPN: What did you feel that Pia Gillan is probably feeling right now?

Luck: Sheer excitement and pride! It was after that I realized what an extraordinary event I was able to be a part of. Once in a lifetime and forever remembered. Enjoy every minute Pia! Take tons of pictures and save every momento that you can put into a scrapbook for your children.

deb5GSPN: What’s the difference between cheering then and cheering now?

Luck: For me, I was with a team that went to and won a Super Bowl in addition to doing the network Battle of the NFL Cheerleaders show. Now, there are many teams that have cheerleaders but when I was cheering it was a Texas team and the Raiderettes that were popular. When I cheered we were considered “working man’s cheerleaders” as each us held full-time jobs or were full-time students. We cheered for the love of the game and our team. I am sure the wonderful cheerleaders of the NFL have taken that to another level.

GSPN: How much were you paid to be on the sidelines?

Luck: As I recall it was not much. Maybe $15 per game, but really who can get a ticket to be on the sidelines of an NFL game for that? We also received additional monies for personal appearances. Today I must say that I never cheered for the money. The Raiderette Sisterhood that I am a part of is PRICELESS!! There is no amount of money in the world that could give me what I have in enduring and lasting friendships that I have made.

GSPN: What other perks did you get as a Raiderette?

Deborah with her children Chelsea 26, Ty 21 and Janae 16.

Deborah with her children Chelsea 26, Ty 21 and Janae 16.

Luck: I wouldn’t call them “perks” but rather “bonuses!” We were able to meet many inspiring and wonderful people. We were able to participate in the Stay in School program with the U.S. Military. We had little girls that aspired to be US! There is so much that I could fill a page of the blessings I had while being a Raiderette.

GSPN: What did that experience do for you when you were done cheering?

Luck: I have to say that it is still mentioned either by my children or my friends that I was a Raiderette. I consider it such an honor to be a part of this special sisterhood. I have been fortunate in that I was also a judge for Raiderette try outs for seven years. In addition, I was the Raiderette Reunion Chairman for the 40th and 50th anniversary events. Both of the reunions had well over 400 women in attendance. I am also the Admin for the private Raiderette alumni group on FB that has nearly 400 Raiderette’s in the group. Needless to say I am still very involved.

GSPN: Would you encourage other Guam girls to pursue professional cheerleading?

Luck: I wouldn’t say do anything other than be yourself. You are a Chamorrita and that in and of itself is extraordinary! Smile that smile and exude your heritage. One of which I am extremely proud!

GSPN: When’s the last time you’ve been to Guam?

Luck: I have not been in too many years to say…My Nina, Helen Montinola, and my cousins keep asking when I will be coming…my answer…I hope soon!

Deborah Luck's mother was the 1947 Miss Guam - Delfina Carbullido

Deborah Luck’s mother was the 1947 Miss Guam – Delfina Carbullido

 

NOTE: In 1980, Guam still didn’t have live television. Super Bowl XV was viewed on a one-week tape delay on Guam Cable TV…”at the end of the game they showed me spinning around waving my poms in the air because I knew victory was at hand. No cell phones or social media back in the day but my family’s home phone, with a cord mind you, blew up!”

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

August

September 2023

October
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
Events for August

1st

Events for September

2nd

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Events for September

3rd

Events for September

3rd

No Events
Events for September

5th

Events for September

6th

Events for September

7th

Events for September

8th

Events for September

9th

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Events for September

9th

No Events
Events for September

11th

Events for September

12th

Events for September

13th

Events for September

14th

Events for September

15th

Events for September

16th

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Events for September

17th

Events for September

18th

Events for September

19th

Events for September

19th

No Events
Events for September

21st

Events for September

22nd

Events for September

23rd

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Events for September

23rd

No Events
Events for September

25th

Events for September

26th

Events for September

27th

Events for September

28th

Events for September

29th

Events for September

30th

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

COMING SOON …

  • Brawl 3: Oct 13
  • Guam’s Strongest Man and Woman Competition October 29

 

QUICK HITS

The Figo Islanders 40s women’s softball team took gold in the Senior Softball World Championship in Las Vegas. Figo came out of the loser’s bracket and beat the Arizona Belles 17-3 in the AA division championship game Sunday afternoon.
Other Guam teams that played in the 40s tournament were: Team SOTTA (women’s) and Bud Light Guam, Friars 671 and Sindalun Guahan (men’s).
Sindalu finished a respectable 4th out of 24 AAA division teams.
——————————————————-
In Guam’s first time competing in the FIBA Asia Cup, we draw China, Japan, and Mongolia in Group C. Competition begins in 2024. Guam also moves up the FIBA world rankings to #76.

More in Feature