Mervyn Fernandez Mervyn " Swervin ' Mervyn " Fernandez ( born December 29 , 1959 in Merced , California ) is a former professional American and Canadian football player who played wide receiver with the NFL Los Angeles - Oakland Raiders and the Canadian Football League BC Lions . Fernandez was a two - time CFL All - Star ( 1984 - 1985 ) and is a member of the BC Lions Wall of Fame . In 2003 , Fernandez was voted a member of the BC Lions All - Time Dream Team , at the wide receiver position , as part of the club ’ s 50 year anniversary celebration . In 2006 , Fernandez was voted one of the CFL ' s Top 50 players ( # 42 ) of the league ' s modern era by Canadian sports network TSN . High school & college career . Fernandez was a standout wide receiver for Andrew Hill High School in San Jose , California , where he picked up his famous nickname " Swervin ' Mervyn " from the team ' s quarterback . Following high school , Fernandez played at DeAnza Junior College in Cupertino , California , before finishing his college career at nearby San José State University . It was at San José State that Oakland Raider ' s staff members took notice of the 6 ' 3 " , 205 pound , speedy wide receiver , and the Raiders eventually made Fernandez their 10th round pick in the 1983 NFL Draft . Canadian Football League career . Fernandez spent his entire six - year CFL career ( 1982 - 1986 , 1994 ) with the BC Lions . Fernandez joined the Lions in 1982 , and made an immediate impact , finishing his rookie season with over 1 , 000 receiving yards ( 1 , 046 ) , and helping his team to 9 - 7 record . Fernandez won the CFL Western Division Most Outstanding Rookie award , and was a finalist for the CFL ' s Most Outstanding Rookie award as well . After two 1 , 000 - yard seasons , Fernandez was a key component in the BC Lions Grey Cup championship season of 1985 . Fernandez finished the season with 95 catches and 1 , 727 yards for an 18 . 2 yards per reception average , along with 15 touchdowns . Despite being injured and not playing in the game , following the Lions ' 37 - 24 triumph over the Hamilton Tiger - Cats in the 73rd Grey Cup , Fernandez became the first Lion to win the CFL ' s Most Outstanding Player Award . Fernandez , a two - time CFL All - Star ( 1984 - 1985 ) and member of the BC Lions Wall of Fame , was finally persuaded by Al Davis and the Raiders to head south and join the NFL , following the 1986 CFL season . In 2003 , Fernandez was voted a member of the BC Lions All - Time Dream Team , at the wide receiver position , as part of the club ’ s 50 year anniversary celebration . In November , 2006 , Fernandez was voted one of the CFL ' s top 50 players ( # 42 ) of the league ' s modern era by Canadian sports network TSN . National Football League career . Fernandez spent his entire 6 - year NFL career ( 1987 - 1992 ) with one team : the Los Angeles Raiders . During that span , Fernandez played in 86 games and amassed 209 catches for 3 , 764 yards and 19 touchdowns . While Fernandez never made the Pro Bowl , he did 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 Raider greats Art Powell and Pro Football Hall of Fame r , Dave Casper . His 18 . 01 average yards per catch for his career is first among any receiver to wear the Raiders ' Silver and Black . In 1988 , Fernandez led NFL receivers in average yards per catch ( 26 . 0 ) . Arguably , Fernandez ' s finest year was 1989 , when he made 57 catches for 1 , 069 yards and 9 touchdowns , leading all Raiders ’ receivers in almost every major category , and becoming only the sixth Raider to gain over 1 , 000 receiving yards in a season . Post - football life . Fernandez currently lives in Morgan Hill , California and works as a sales representative . He is also an avid sport fisherman . His son , Joe Fernandez , was a wide receiver at Fresno State University , who tried out but failed to make the final roster of the NFL ' s Seattle Seahawks in 2007 .