Voice of the Fans
It's the Raider Way...
(Editor's note: This article was written by a Raider fan who is well known to us at Raidernews. It was subsequently 'borrowed' by another Raider fan and published as his own, and we erroneously linked that article earlier. However, credit should be given to the true author, so here is the original article.)
The Raiders, as an organization, exemplify many things that attract such a fiercely loyal fanbase. The traditions and standards laid down by the most influential owner in the history of pro football permeate the club from top to bottom, and have had significant impact on the rest of the league, as well.
It is well documented that Al Davis has always seen through and across racial divisions when it comes to his players and his team personnel. From being one of the first to dig deep into the AFL for black talent when it was not considered smart to do so, to promoting both a black coach (Mr. Art Shell) and a hispanic coach (Mr. Tom Flores) from within, to elevating a female to the top of the organization (Ms. Amy Trask). Raider Nation makes up the most diverse, yet tightly-knit family of fans anywhere in the world.
The Raiders also maintain, despite their (only) five-year down period, a very high standard in terms of the product that is put on the field. Al Davis has never been one to skimp on what it takes to make his team competitive. If it weren’t for some snakes-in-the-grass and some admittedly poor choices with player picks and free agents since coming back to Oakland, the Raiders would’ve been right there in the playoff hunt picking up where they left off from L.A., every year. Yes, Gruden wanted out. Yes, Art Shell II was a mistake, but Al called him somewhat out of desparation and out of loyalty to the Hall of Famer. Bugel and White? Well, okay, yeah, you got us there. But even during those dark years, us fans have always been given reason to hope with big-time signings of players like Jeff George, Warren Sapp and Randy Moss, to name just a few.
The Raiders are not, and never will be, be trend followers. They are trendsetters.
Al Davis brings in the most controversial players there are. He does not follow conventional thinking in terms of who he drafts, nor in who he signs in the offseason. Long-known as a haven for castoffs, rejects and malcontents, many formerly “washed up” or “finished” players have found their way back to greatness in the open arms of the Silver and Black. Jim Plunkett, Ronnie Lott, Bill Romanowski and many other players (even the G.O.A.T., Jerry Rice) found their way to the Dark Side and either won or got to taste victory again in some form while wearing the Raiders’ uniform. (They have also, without exception, commented during or after their tenure with Oakland how it’s different playing with the Raiders, from a fairness standpoint)
Al Davis drafts who he wants to draft, not who the NFL thinks he should draft. Some may call it crazy or just plain not smart football, but you’ve got to admire a man and a team that bucks the trends and who sets the NFL consistently on its ear. The man is a gambler, and sometimes you’re going to win it all, sometimes you’re going to lose your shirt. That’s our Al.
The fans are trendsetters as well. Sure, there have been those who have “dressed up” at NFL games for many years. However, none have even come close to the level of which Raider fans have taken it. Other teams have a few well-known “celebrity” fans, such as the Broncos’ Barrel Man and the Jets’ J-E-T-S guy (who’s the guy who lets him sit on his shoulders? Shouldn’t he get some of the credit, too?) The Raiders’ ENTIRE fanbase is famous. Going to a Raider game is an event, not just a passtime, and there is nothing like it in the world, much less than at any other NFL team’s venue.
The Raiders adopted the term “Nation”. This may be a point of contention, but there is no arguing that almost everything now is called “Nation”-this and “Nation”-that, and that started happening only after SB XXXVII when the world was once again exposed to the greatness of the Raider Nation. Practically every team in the NFL now blatantly copies the Raiders in one aspect or another — from playing “Hell’s Bells” on their PA’s to adopting black as their uniform’s primary color. It’s all latent hatred-envy at its finest.
The Raiders are the NFL’s mavericks, its “Black Bart”, if you will.
Everyone loves to hate Al Davis. He plays the perfect villain to the typical goody-two-shoes, compliant NFL owner. He’s sued the league, yeah, but he had good reason. He’s gone toe-to-toe with Oakland, but again, his organizations’ best interests were always at the heart of the matter. Players, both past and present, either love Al Davis or hate him. The Hall of Fame is littered with Raiders players and coaches, so much so that many members of the voting committee have commented that there’s already too many and that they won’t vote any more in, even though they should by all rights be. (Take Mr. Flores, Kenny Stabler and Ray Guy, for instance)
You Chiefs and the Broncos even have Raider Week. That is no insult to the Raiders, that is pure hatred, borne of respect.
From the owner on down to the fan, Raider Nation is one. Loyalty is forever. It is bigger than a fan sport. The Raider Way is a way of life, and unless you live it, you’ll never understand it.
The NFL needs a villain, and the Raiders and especially us Raider fans, do indeed relish the role, even if we won’t openly admit it. Bring it on.
GO RAIDERS!!!
Chris, aka RaiderEyes
