Oakland Raiders: What Is Your Motivation for Being Part of THE Nation?

We all have our reasons.  Every fan does.  The best part about being a Raiders fan (particularly now) is that your reason runs deep and is unmovable.  You are a Raiders fan, it doesn't matter what happens, you will always be a Raiders fan.

My patronage came in 1987 at the age of 3. At the time, some gas station (I cannot for the life of me think of which it was) was giving out NFL team glasses with a fill up.  My dad filled up our family car and was obliged to receive a free team glass.  Living in a county that neighbors LA, my dad was naturally inclined to grab a Raiders glass.  Because both my older sister (age 5 at the time) and I were in the car, he did what any intelligent parent would do and bought a second glass.  The other glass was a Chargers glass, presumably because the Raiders were locking up with the Chargers later in the week.

When my dad returned to the car, he gave my sister first pick of which glass she wanted.  Luckily for me, she picked the Chargers one because it was "prettier."  I was the fortunate recipient of a Los Angeles Raiders glass and you better believe I planned to drink my water out of it while we watched the game later that week with my dad.

Come time for kick off my sister was supporting the Chargers because she had the "pretty" glass.  Stronger than any football rivalry was the rivalry I held with my sister, so naturally I had to cheer on the Raiders, MY Raiders.  I cannot tell you who won that game, but I can tell you that was the moment I became part of THE Nation.

Like a typical Chargers fan, my sister lost interest in her team with in a year; like a typical member of THE Nation, my loyalty holds strong 20 years later.

What is your motive?  If you are a member of BleacherReport, you know that we all share a similar quality: a strong love for our respective teams.  This could be a fun way to explore why we share that bond.

Oh, and for all of you out there who are curious, yes the picture is of the actual glasses that started me on my Silver and Black journey.  If anyone knows which gas station it was, I would love to know.

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