[1] After graduation he attended Riverside City College,where he continued his athletic career, earning All-Eastern California honors on the hardwood.

[1] He played the speed defensive position of cornerback at San Diego State, opposite future NFL All-Pro Willie Buchanon.

He quickly got his chance to prove his mettle when starter Rudy Redmond went down with a hamstring injury ahead of the first game of the 1971 season.

[1] He started his career with a bang, picking off San Francisco 49ers quarterback John Brodie for the first time of the year, adding a second interception and a fumble recovery later in the game.

[1] Hayes wound up starting all 14 games of his rookie year for Atlanta, intercepting 3 passes and recovering 3 fumbles, including a scoop-and-score for his first career touchdown.