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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

What's A Raiders Fan To Do?



Alright, I’ve previously written about my feeling of nostalgia and connection to the Oakland Raiders. During the time they played in my hometown of Los Angeles they brought a Super Bowl win to the area. It was a happy time. The eccentricities of Al Davis didn’t seem so bad. Everyone knew he was nuts. Raiders fans dealt with it. The team was winning. The Black Hole was in full force and a scary place to be without a silver and black jersey. Well, actually that last part hasn’t changed.

But what now? I still wear my faded Los Angeles Raiders t-shirt and Super Bowl champion t-shirt from their win against the Washington Redskins back in 1984. At times I get snarky comments from non-Angelinos and other smarty pants fans. I have no problem wearing these around town. I can tell my fellow Angelinos as they are the ones smiling and giving me fist pumps as I pass by. You just aren’t a Los Angeles native unless you own at least one article of clothing or cap that says RAIDERS on it.

I have to admit – Al Davis is making this a very difficult time to continue wearing my garb. I’m not even one of those die-hards that gets all dressed up in the chains and face paint. What are these fans thinking? How can they bear to put on the costume every Sunday and feel good about themselves?

Let me just put it out there – I think firing Lane Kiffin was a bad move. I refuse to believe that the son of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive mastermind Monte Kiffin could possibly be that bad of a coach! Warren Sapp reportedly said that when he was a player for the Oakland Raiders that they only gave the younger Kiffin half of the team to coach. The offense and defense never got to meet together. What the heck sort of plan is that? Even Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan weighed in on how absurd Davis’ firing was.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – someone please take the team away from Davis before he hurts anyone else. This is not the 1970s and 1980s. The game has changed. You have a massive fan base. They deserve more!

Help us…someone…anyone…

6 comments:

iris said...

I feel your pain. I am sick of the mocking that comes when I wear my Raiders jersey.

I think the biggest mistake Big Al made was when he made the deal with Tampa and gave away Jon Gruden ... that championship should have been ours.

*sob*

Apryl DeLancey said...

No doubt! It was amazing that the game was between the Raiders and Bucs!

iris said...

It was written in the stars, so the whole league would have the chance to point and laugh.

Great video by the way.

Apryl DeLancey said...

Good way to put it!

Oh, and if you really want to see a good old school Raiders video - look at the "Silver and Black Attack" rap. It is hysterical! I've linked to it here a number of times. Howie Long rapping is one of the funniest things you will ever see! Check it out:

http://apryldelancey.blogspot.com/2008/09/wild-world-of-wednesday-september-25.html

Doret said...

Maybe if fans stopped going to games. The Raiders powers that be would make a better effort to fix the team. As a fan as long as my team makes a logical effort to better the team I am happy. It doesn't always work out but at least they tired. It doesn't seem like the Raiders are doing that right now, so why should they be rewarded with ticket sales

Apryl DeLancey said...

I agree totally! One issue is that when there is a team in a large metro area - for every fan that does not buy a ticket, another is there to take their place. Until everyone is fed up I fear Al will just run what was once a model franchise further into the ground.

*sad face*