Former Raiders Star Napoleon Kaufman Leads Livermore Church

From Raider to reverend -- and from humble beginnings to a 1,000-person congregation in a spacious new home.

The Rev. Napoleon Kaufman's journey from NFL running back -- who retired from the game young, despite the offer of millions of dollars of earnings -- to senior pastor of the Well Christian Community Church in Livermore took a few years, but the 40-year old minister is finding success at the pulpit, according to Inside Bay Area.

Kaufman, who serves as chaplain to his former team, has moved his church from Dublin to a new 83,000-square foot building in Livermore, the news source reported. There, up to 1,000 people witness his weekly sermons, punctuated by an eight-piece band.

Kaufman tranformed from a young man into rap music to a thoughtful adult interested in meditation while still playing football. After his retirement in 2000, he began taking on additional responsibilities at a San Jose church before starting his own congregation in 2003 in San Ramon with 15 families, the Web site reported.

He oversees nine churches now, including flocks in Peru and Japan, and last year returned to the Raiders as chaplain.