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By Patrick Lujan
Before there were Pia Gillan (Seattle Sea Gals) and Maria Manibusan DeCabooter (Arizona Cardinals), there was Oakland Raiderette Deborah Luck.
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.
GSPN: 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?
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!
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!”


Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
GPS Sports Calendar
May 2022
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
- SU
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 1
Events for May
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #4
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
3rd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
5th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
6th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
7th
GPD HOT PURSUIT 5K
MARIANAS OPEN
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for May
9th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #5
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER All-Star Meeting
IIAAG GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
Events for May
12th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
12th
Events for May
14th
14th JUDICA CRABAO 5K
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
Events for May
16th
ISA TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND MEET
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE All-Star Meeting
Events for May
17th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
18th
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Events for May
19th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
20th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL All-Star Meeting
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
21st
Pre-Memorial Day 13-Miler
GETTING GUAM HEALTHY 5K BUBBLE RUN/HEALTH FAIR
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD All-ISLAND MEET
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS
ALPHA WARRIOR ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
2022 Guam Track & Field National Championships
Events for May
23rd
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
23rd
Events for May
24th
Events for May
26th
Events for May
27th
Events for May
28th
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

Baseball
NINETE, JR. WINS 2022 BASEBALL MVP

Basketball
WILDCATS WIN MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS HOOPS

Volleyball
TITANS DON’T DROP A SET ALL SEASON

Baseball
NINETE, JR. WINS 2022 BASEBALL MVP

Running/Track
PANTHERS SWEEP ALL-ISLAND TRACK & FIELD MEET
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG & ISA Championships
- YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE KICKOFF June 4
- GSPN Boys Volleyball All-Star Game
- Pacific Mini-Games in Saipan