PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : McCallum a Big Hit in First Game Back

Napoleon McCallum was nervous about carrying the football Sunday against the Tampa Buccaneers.

True, he has been carrying the ball since high school and in the NFL since 1986.

But he had never before done it with stitches in his side, the result of an appendectomy three weeks earlier.

“I just needed to get hit once to shake the bugs out,” McCallum said.

Instead, he did the hitting.

On the opening kickoff, McCallum, playing on special teams, tackled Tampa Bay kick returner Mazio Royster.

“Once I made that hit I knew I’d be all right,” McCallum said. “I wore a pad over the area and it diffused the blows.”

McCallum gained 16 yards rushing, not a huge total, but the highest by a Raider, and also scored on a five-yard run.

“I’m really blessed,” McCallum said. “I’ve had so many friends praying for me.”

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The Raiders hope another missing running back returns this week.

Fullback Steve Smith was used only on special teams last Sunday because of an ankle injury.

The absence of his blocking was one of the reasons the Raiders gained only 17 net yards rushing Sunday, their lowest total since moving to L.A. in 1982.

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About 1,500 needy children attended last Sunday’s game at the Coliseum, thanks to the Touchdown for Youth program.

Run jointly by the Raiders and the Los Angeles Sports Council, the program is funded by contributions. It cost $50 per youngster for transportation, a ticket and refreshments.

The program was first tried at last January’s Super Bowl, enabling 750 kids to go to that game.