For several seasons, Marcel Reece was one of the Raiders’ few bright spots.
The former wide receiver at the University of Washington converted to fullback with Oakland and became a favorite of fans, teammates and owner Mark Davis since joining the team in 2009. The four-time Pro Bowler excelled as a receiver out of the backfield and also as a tailback at times. He was a hard-nosed player on the field who was a friendly, gracious reprsentative of the team at community functions.
But when Reece’s four-game suspension was lifted Monday, the team announced it had released him. His suspension – for the final game of 2015 and the first three regular-season games of 2016 – was the result of testing for a banned performance-enhancing substance last year.
The Raiders declined to state a reason for his release.
At this point, Reece is 31 and the Raiders, who are off to a 2-1 start, now have a younger fullback in Jamize Olawale, who was signed to a contract extension after 2015. The backfield is full, with Latavius Murray, rookies Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington and Taiwan Jones, a special teams ace.
Said head coach Jack Del Rio, to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com: "We feel like it’s a good group and we don’t want to disrupt it."
Del Rio called the move "a tough decision," and general manager Reggie McKenzie said all Reece's contributions over the years, on and off the field, won’t be forgotten.
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Davis also released a statement that indicated the decision was a difficult one to make, calling it “a sad day for the Raider Family and Raider Nation.”
"My father once said I would have a tough time running this organization because I was too close to the players, and that rings true today," Davis wrote. "Marcel Reece has been a pillar of the organization for nine years and was the glue that held us together during a rough transition after my father’s passing."
"He helped put us on the upward path we are on today and his leadership will be sorely missed. The motto ‘Once a Raider, Always a Raider’ has never been more appropriate. When Marcel finishes his playing career, there will always be a spot for him within the Raider organization."
Reece said he used a plant root extract that he did not know would result in a positive test for a PED. Said Del Rio, at the time Reece was suspended: "I know he’s disappointed and doesn’t feel like it’s really justified."
Olawale, 27, will now remain the No. 1 fullback. He’s a solid blocker and short-yardage runner who’s carried three times in 2016 for 13 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot, 235-pounder from North Texas last year averaged 4.0 yards per carry. He also had 23 catches.
