Raymond "Lefty" Leftridge
Lefty broke his leg when he was playing football for North Kansas City High School when he was 17 years old, which ended his football career, but he loved the sport for the rest of his life, with a very special place in his heart for his beloved Necco Raiders.
He followed their games long after he quit coaching and managed to be at every Super Bowl game. Every one of "his" boys was special to him and he made many lasting friendships over the years with players and their parents and the other league coaches.
He was a patient and knowledgeable coach and was proud of every one of "his" boys. He always said that the Raiders' Coaches taught more than just the fundamentals of football…but that a player's character and responsibility were more important.
The coaches all agreed that Lefty was the "Heart" of the team.
Lefty at a glance
| 1929 | Raymond Eugene Leftridge was born November 19, 1929 in Corder, Mo. |
| 1944 -1946 | He played high school baseball and football for the North Kansas City High School Hornets |
| 1947- 1953 | He was in the Army Air Corps from January 24, 1947 to January 20, 1953 during the Korean Conflict |
| 1954- 1989 | He worked for WABASH/NORFOLK WESTERN/NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD |
| 1977- 2002 | He was Offensive line coach for the Necco Raiders |
| 1986- 2006 | He was an Engineer of the Eli Train at Worlds of Fun |