Dennis Ranahan

In the summer of 1973, Dennis Ranahan parlayed his last three college units into an internship with the Oakland Raiders, a summer job at their training camp, followed by a full-time position based primarily on his relationship with Al Davis. He thought the assignment of flying with John Madden in the facing two seats at the front of the Raiders charter flights was an honor. In fact, it was a position no one in the organization wanted.

In 1981, he followed his life’s ambition to stay in sports on his terms. He opened Qoxhi Picks, an organization dedicated to delivering point spread winners based more on motivation than simple talent. He has grown Qoxhi Picks from a time when gambling on football was considered an evil that the National Football League openly condemned.

Today, an ever-increasing number of states have legalized sports gambling, and the NFL is clearly committed to promoting the activity.

Ranahan lives in the Bay Area with his wife, Pam, and their two children have provided five grandchildren.