This isn't so much an article as it is a question that I wish to receive an answer to. I was recently reading an article here and found a 49er fan call the whole Raider Nation a bunch of bandwagoner's (not sure if that's a word).
Being a Raider fan, I will give my biased opinion, with examples of why I feel we aren't. First to address that particular 49er fan who inspired this article. You are posting negative comments all over this site on RAIDER blogs with upwards of 50 comments.
Just the shear amount of comments should tell you that the Raider fans are numerous, and the time in which these comments are being posted (basically when the Raiders suck, sorry guys, we do right now) should say a lot about our faithfulness.
Yeah we talk a lot of crap, and we are ALWAYS optimistic about the upcoming season, but what true fan wouldn't be? Yes the Raiders have had trouble selling out in the last few years, but all teams have times when they don't sell out.
However, the ones that haven't been having trouble, such as the Chargers, is because they have more fans from opposing teams than their own. They also have the stupid rule where if you buy tickets to an AFC West opponent game, you have to buy tickets to three more games. Not really a true sign of how well they are selling.
I have been too many Raider games in both San Diego and Oakland, Oakland sells Raider gear at its games, but if you go to San Diego and watch the Raiders, they sell Raider gear and Charger gear. Sad I tell ya.
I once spoke to a sports store owner in San Diego where I live and asked him to tell me why there is so much Raider gear in his store? He said, and I quote, "It pays the bills."
Sorry Charger fans if I am calling you out, but it is the best example I can give since I live here and know how it is. Bandwagon fans are all over, every team has them, but some teams are worse than others, San Diego is another prime example.
You see all the colors when their winning, but what happened when they lost a playoff game to the Jets after missing two game winning field goals? The merch started disappearing. Again, Charger fans I am just pulling from what I know.
So, do I think Raider Nation is a Bandwagon? No I don't, but I would like to hear from everyone on this, especially fans of other teams.
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3 months ago
Raider Nation is the only true "Nation".
The Raiders will be on top soon enough.
from 3 months ago
This is how you answer that question Darkside, "Raider Image" not sure if this is true or not but what other NFL team can say they have a "(fill in the team) Image store" I dont see a 40whiner Store dedicated to 40whiners.
from 2 months ago
Bill Romanowski said it best when he signed with the Raiders and after their home win in the championship game. "ive played for alot of years and knew i wanted to play in front of the Raider nation, these are the best fans in football!!!"
considering every team is a "nation" now...."packernation, steelernation, etc" the fact that damn near every team has black in their scheme just shows the Raiders pave the way and the rest of the NFL follows.
i would love to see the Patriots attendance after four years like we've had...
We are back baby, we will be on top again soon
Steve
from 2 months ago
I think there are four teams in the NFL that really have a large out of market fan base. The Raiders, Steelers,Cowboys, and Dolphins, and I think the bandwagon tag comes from that. When you take a few Raider road trips a year most of the out of market fans you meet are die hard loyal and most of them go back to the days before direct tv when you spent all week making calls to local bars asking if they had a satelite dish and would they have the raiders on. You would get there about 4 oclock eastern time and it would take them to 5:30 to find it moving the dish around. The true tale of the tape is go to any ticket agency i would be willing to bet the demand for tickets for any of the raider road games this season is quite a bit more pressing than any 49ers road game.
from 2 months ago
I've been a Raider fan since I started watching football and I'm 45 now. I bleed silver and black. I wear my Raider colors with pride whether we are 12 & 3 or 3 & 12. I know I am not a bandwagoner and I know there are a lot of Raider fans that are just like me. Considering I live in Connecticut, I guess that tells you how far the Raider Mystique travels
Oh and by the way the playoffs are now within our grasp. We DO have a legitimate shots at making the playoffs.
Always a RAIDER,
raiderinct
from 2 months ago
"REAL" is the only word to describe us raider fans we have put up with a lot of Obstacles in the past and many more in the future, the fans and players dont take shit from anyone, we bleed raider blood which is silver and black, we breathe in smoke and exhale oxygen giving life to the game. yeah we've had a shitty couple of seasons so as soon as that happens then everyone starts bad talking us "oh guys suck", or you'll never make it to the playoffs again. A Loins fan had the nerve to tell me that the Raiders are grabage "A puny ass Loins fan" i just looked at him and said how many super bowls has your team won? the only thing he could say was that was in the past and i said thats right but once we were great we'll always be great and its only a matter of time till we get back to our greatness the Loins have never been great, either have the Chargers they are both super bowless maybe its becasue of their fans not being dedicated to their team but RAIDER FANS ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR THEIR TEAM. there are no bandwagon, fake ass people here and if they are we'll DEAL WITH THEM ACCORDINLLY. SILVER AND BLACK 4 LIFE
from 2 months ago
Amen Pete.
3 months ago
You're right, every team has their bandwagon fans, but for the most part Raiders fans ARE Raiders fans tried and true. The "joiners" as I like to call them tend to be the media (aka BSPN) then those who take the word of the 'media" as the gospel then jump on themselves.
from 2 months ago
A very good response Natalie and I agree!!
from 2 months ago
PEOPLE.....in Seattle, one of our biggest rivals for some time, there are two bars DEDICATED to the Oakland Raiders!!!...just think if a rival team had bar dedicated to them? it would last two seconds and be burned to the ground.
i knwo of the places in seattle cus they did a story on it on tv before the preseason game last year
steve
3 months ago
A good example of what a bandwagon rider is like, could be viewed by the local Bronco fans.
Up here, Raider fans are pretty much 365, 24/7 all said and told.
Locally, if you go to the stores, like Sheels, or Pro Image, you'll see plenty of Bronco stuff, because they can't get rid of it.
On the other hand, you have Raider fans. There's no replica jerseys in the store....because they've all been bought. There's one cap left at Sheels, while there's 29 Bronco caps left.
And at the local Walmart, there's about 10 bolts of Bronco colors....and they're having a problem with keeping the Raider stuff in stock.
For the Raider faithful, we usually rank in the top 3 in opposing markets. Places like Denver, for example, we're number two. Some markets, we probably outrank the main team.
Some people, don't like to see that much loyalty....they claim it's blind faith, or misguided judgement.
As it's well said, it's better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven....and for the Raider Nation, these are my family....and we all hang together.
3 months ago
Mike 40whiner deals with Bandwagon fans every day he's one himself Raider Nation keep up the Good work and Remember every body want's to be like us but if you're not born into it you just dont understand Silver and Black till I die one Nation Raider Nation.
from 3 months ago
If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times.
You do not post without a note from your mother.
This is not open for discussion.
Next time they'll be hell to pay, young man.
Now, go clean up your room.
from 2 months ago
Louie, good one and he had a weak come back. Sheesh. Can you smell that smell coming off of Mike?
from 2 months ago
Mike49er hasn't written anything yet.
3 months ago
5 decades of Bleeding Silver and Black is all I have to say
3 months ago
Living in the bay myself, I'd have to say that's the most ignorant statement regarding the fan's I've ever heard...
Obviously if you're a Raider fan right now, there's no bandwagon to jump on to.
3 months ago
you are correct on the every team has bandwagon jumpers. i for 1 have been a raiders fan for 35 yrs. i love the raiders and everyone i work with and know in my home town of assumption ,illinois knows i am a raiders fan thruogh thick and thin.i am not shittin you one bit i wear raiders t shirts hat or a jersey everyday. people comment to me is that all you wear and i say yes thats all i own . Raiders for life .Go Raiders !!!!
3 months ago
This article is absolutely correct in regards to Charger fans! I remeber games (pre-LaDainian) at Jack Murphy and half of that stadium was Raider Fans! Suddenly, the Chargers are contenders, and still and always will under-achieve, and ALL of the Charger fans come out of the woodworks! Bottom line is that the Chargers and their fans will always be LAST in the AFC West, even behind the Chefs who haven't been to a Super Bowl in 40 years (I love that fact!).
Raider fans are simply to most loyal of all fans! Darkside Kessler stated it best: "We stand by the Raiders when they are at their lowest!" As far as the Raiders not selling out games, there are two factors. One, attendance will go down for every sports franchise when they are losing. That is a simple fact. Second, the Raiders were not in control of tickets sales until just recently and they have sold out the majority of their games since that time!
Bottom line is that the RAIDER NATION is the original "Nation", not the Red Sox or the Gators...
from 2 months ago
The Chargers got so tired of the Raider fans taking over that they went to that ticket thing if you wanted to go to the Raiders game you had to buy tickets to 3 other games.. didnt stop anything.. charger fans just sold their tickets to Raider fans.. there are 3 opposing stadiums the Raiders over take every time they play... Whiners.. Chargers and Cardinals.. and Seattle has their share of Raider fans there too..
We are GLOBAL my friends.. GLOBAL.. and the HATERS simply hate it.. even when we suck.. we are still faithful and that just eats right threw their jealous hearts.. Keep the Faith Nation. and remember.. someone who argues with an idiot and someone is watching.. the person watching cant tell who the idiot is.. remember that the next time an idiot hater posts something negative..
Peace my Nation..
Tomy
3 months ago
bandwagon?we've been talked bad about forever.hav'ent won in five years,so why would we be bandwagoners again???
3 months ago
Buffalo/Raiderfan chiming in as I have been a fan for 38 years going back to Lamonica and the original trade from the Buffalo bills,I followed Lamonica all the across the country to Oakland. Always tired as a kid watching the Bills go 2 and 12 for the season with Joe Ferguson, I switched the channel one day from the Bills game to and Oakland game where they were down by 3 touchdowns in the 4th, and they came back to win that game with 24 unanswered points, I was amazed by this Raider team, and started to look for them in the Buffalo TV listings section for nationally televised games, and when ever they were on locally,I watched them. This is how it all started for me years ago, and I have to say that the silver & black does get into your blood to stay. Now as far as bandwagon fans, the Buffalo fans are pretty bad in regards to "bandwagoning", and "stabbing" their team or players in the back, I know I have lived here for years. I enjoy the Raiders games here, as I have to defend off some of the drunken Bills fans coming after me with crap, as I defend the RAIDER NATION locally here in Buffalo, 24/7, 365. I have followed the Raiders to Pittsburg for games, Baltimore, and have flown out to Oakland for a game, which is more than I can say for any Bills fan to do for their team. I have witnessed in Baltimore one Sunday were all of the parking lots surrounding the stadium were Raider fans, tailgating and joining together as one big family,from all over the east coast. Virginia,Georgia,Pa.
Carolinas and it goes on, simply amazing. In fact while walking around inside of the stadium before the game, I overheard a Raven fan and his son comment " where did all of these Raiderfans come from"
The Bills fans like the Raider games, as do the steeler fans as these people enjoy the Raidernation and its mystique as well, arriving at their hometown, and all for different reasons. There is again, a large following at the Buffalo games, Raidernation from all over the northeast, Ohio,Canada,NY etc.. I have seen in the days past where the Bills apparel store here had as much Raider gear as the Bills, and asked the owner why there is so much Raider merchandise in the Bills store, his reply," they are the second best seller next to the Bills"......
3 months ago
One more thing I would like to add. I love it when fans get tattoo's supporting their team. I have 2 bolts and a couple cowboy stars. However, when you go to a bar to watch a Raider game, it almost becomes a tattoo convention. If getting a permanent brand on your body isn't a sign of a true fan, I don't know what is. I myself have to loud and proud tattoos. And the one on my back is a work in progress that will not be finished until my whole back is a Raider shrine.
from 3 months ago
i have 2 Raider tattoo's as well.. 1 on my leg and one on my chest.. i constantly wear shorts and people coment.. even haters say.. i dont like the Raiders but damn thats badass..
Every team has bandwagon fans.. i live in So Cali.. the trend of bandwagons comes from the teams who win the superbowl that year.. there was no Pats crap here till they started winning Superbowls ( or should i say cheated their way to superbowls) when the Ravens won.. we saw alot of Ravens gear.. now nothing.. same with Steelers.. in 38 years of living in So Cali i never saw any Chargers gear.. now all of a sudden everyone is a Chargers fan.. bolts stickers on their car.. brand new Jerseys and blah blahb blah.. since i can remember there has ALWAYS been a strong Raider pressence in So Cali everywhere you look there are people wearing Raiders gear.. Cars and Trucks with Raider stickers flags dash mats ETC.. the 3 teams most represented in So Cali.. 1 Raiders.. 2 Cowboys and 3 Niners.. all the rest are as i said.. Superbowl winning Bandwagons.
Ive been a Fan for over 31 years and counting.. that will never change.
3 months ago
OOOOPPSS, I do not have bolts or stars, I meant to say "I have SEEN". sorry about the confusion.
from 2 months ago
Only one confused is you.
3 months ago
OK Raider Nation, you haver proven once again that while you may not be "band wagon" fans, you are quite possibly the stupidest fans of any team EVER!!! San Diego was once considerably smaller then they Bay Area as recently as the 70's, but then as people started seeing pictures of San Diego (from, of all things, Charger games broadcast on TV) they started leaving depressing, violent, dirty, crime-ridden scum holes like Oakland and other places and started moving to the paradise that San Diego is. Then, by the mid 80's, San Diego went from a little, sleepy, So. Cal beach/Navy town, to one of the biggest and most cosmopolitan cities in the United States. The population doubled between 1970 and 1990, and continues to grow, and you know why? Because of all those immigrants from ugly cities like Oakland, they come down, breath our air, eat our food, and live in our city, taking up the name of "San Diegan" and never looking back. As they assimilate to our city, they remain loyal to their home teams when the Chargers are losing, yet when the Chargers are winning, they all of a sudden become Charger fans and the Q starts selling out. The true fan base of native San Diegans is actually quite small, because San Diego used to be quite small when only natives were living there. Sure, the Navy brought in many transplants over the years too, but once again, they all have home teams. So yes, when the Chargers are losing, the Q doesn't sell out (but when I think about it there are only a handful of teams, in really horrible locations, where there is absolutely nothing to do, who sell out during good and bad times). The reason is, all the immigrant/transplant, bandwagon fans have sooooooo much else to do during bad Charger years, like hang out on one of our sparkling beaches, go hiking in our local mountains, stop on over in Mexico, golf at Torrey Pines, etc. What do fans in Oakland have to do? Maybe go watch a murder in the park by the Kaiser Convention Center auditorium, or watch a couple homies jack an unsuspecting guest of one of the hotels on Hegenberger. See, the reason the Q doesn't sell out when Bolts are doing bad is because there is simply too many other beautiful distractions for non-natives leading people away from the bad Charger team games. But us natives, we bleed blue and gold, I put up my Charger flags in my front yard EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY during EVERY SINGLE SEASON. I religiously find a way to watch each and every game, each and every year for the past 37 years, I have enjoyed the Fouts years, the Seau Years, and now the LT/Merriman years. Yet I also endured the Leaf Years, the Kevin Gilbride years, the recycling old players (Flutie, McMahon, Mark Malone, Jim Everett, Jim Harbaugh, etc.) years. Doesn't matter which one of those scenario years it was, I was watching and rooting for my team. Now that they are a winning team again, I somehow get lumped into the "band wagon" label. Well, as we all know, EVERY team in the NFL goes through good spells and bad spells (as Oakland has proved with your current 5+ years spell of losing) and the Chargers will inevitably lose seeding as tops in the West again (that's why the NFL is so great, it's impossible to have a Yankee's who continually buy championships, its' all about parity). And I can guarantee you, Raider Nation, when we are on the losing spectrum again, those of us from San Diego, true natives, will never give up on the team, we will stick by them through thick and thin, while transplants from scuz zones like Oakland will be on our beaches, trying to pick up on our beautiful women. Try all you want homies, they'll continue denying you and us natives will continue watching our Chargers (as long as they are in San Diego) no matter how good or bad they are. You are not special Raider Nation every city has true fans and bandwagon fans, and must I remind you, the proof is in the pudding, you have not been seen McAfee sold out for every game in a season in a long time. So keep focusing on issues like "band wagon" and what not, and us Bolts fans will be preoccupied with our focus on the Super Bowl, because unlike you Raider Nation, our team has a chance of making in there this year, your's, absolutely no chance whatsoever, so lets continue examing "band wagon" phenomenon and other "non-relevant" subjects, while us Chargers fans prepare for the Super Bowl. Get ready for a smack-down twice again this year by the Chargers Oakland, it truly is.....THE YEAR OF THE BOLT!!!!
from 3 months ago
Paul, you again. We are here talking football and you are talking about beaches. Have you actually been to any games at the MURPH. Yes, recently there has been more blue in your stadium than in recent history, however, there is no denying the amount of OTHER fans. As it pertains to picking up on your beautiful women, it is true, I married a Native San Diegan who WAS a Charger fan. But upon seeing the dedication of a true football fan she quickly swithed to the darkside. Now in all fairness to you, you seem like a pretty die hard Charger fan, but than aaian so do all the other Charger fans when they are good. Come back and talk to me when your team is down and lets see how you react. San Diego, though, is probably one of the best and most beautiful big cities in the world. I enjoy living here way more than when I was in L.A.
from 3 months ago
LOL ive been to San Diego.. and your full of shit.. its no paradise.. its a border town with its streets litered with Illegals.. and another reason you full of shit is because i used to travel to SD everyday and NOT UNTIL Shittenheimer did Charger fans start being proud of their team.. talk about stupid fans? LOL time to take a look in the mirror buddy..
from 2 months ago
You want to hear something funny. I asked this question to a person I used to work with last year, why do you liked the Chadrgers so much? His response to me was that it is the only football team nearest to Mexico. WTF! You bet I laughed my ASS OFF! From his response you can figure out where he was from. Now when I see a border brother with a Charger sticker on his Dodge Ram I just have to laugh. Think about that next time you see a Chrgless Bolt sticker on someones car. Tomycar, I feel the same way about San Diego.
from 2 months ago
Hmm, year of the dolt, maybe.
Paul, do me a favor.
Before your team won 10 games or more, in the last 2 of 3 seasons, you only had 9 seasons like that, in what, almost 50 years?
Do you want to remember the seasons of Riley? 1-15 ring a bell?
How about 2-12 with Prothro?
0-1 in the super bowl? I could give you an AFL title, but i'd have to take more losses too...including being shutout.
But beyond all this, in your short speech, you failed to show why, Charger fans are not band wagon riders. Why San Diego shuts down after the Charger's season is over, usually with a loss.
Heck, most telling stat, is that the Chargers, career wise, aren't even a .500 team!
Now, along comes LT, Brees, and Gates....oh boy, now we're cheering!
In the low years with the Raiders, we still were well represented...even across the country, we had the faithful.
The greater question, would be, are the Charger fans happy with average results, or have they accepted falling short?
from 2 months ago
That is quite the most ugliest remarks I have read yet.
3 months ago
BANDWAGON????? I have been a Raider Fan for over 45 years. Most of my family are Raider Fans. Bandwagon? Every team in the NFL have these type of fans. My son has season tickets, same people at the games, year after year. Section 126.......
3 months ago
If you aint a Raider fan you aint s__t.
3 months ago
As a Raider fan who is well versed in the Raider history, only a few teams in the NFL have as good a Fan base as we do, Dallas, Green Bay, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. The other teams are built on bandwagon fans i.e New England, SF (fans think the team started after 1980 and can't recall anything before that), and San Diego. Real fans like Raider fans stick by their team no matter what. The one thing I have to say is those that love the Raiders, know about the team and those that think they know the Raiders, need to stop being idiots at the game. I have seem many wanna be Raider fans cause fights, talk out their ass about the team only to be moded because they got their facts wrong. Really tho, you can like the Raiders, but you have to be passionate about the team and not act like a bandwagoner. Know your team history and all its greats and appreciate the future to come. I have seen some Raider fans talk and talk and talk about the team and still know nothing and that is what annoys me about these so called fans. They only live up to the hype of the Raider image rather than showing their true support of the team.
from 3 months ago
I agree totally Ferdie. As we all know every team does have bandwagon fans. Raider Nation is no different. Unfortunately I cannot give numbers but I would say that the vast majority of Raider fans are true. Being a Raider fan is not a Football season fan who supports it's team. WE LIVE IT. It is in our blood. I actually had blood drawn last week and it was Silver and Black. Crazy I know, but it was.
3 months ago
Hey Paul-sack...It all comes down to rings..Count yours up...AHAHAHA... By the way you didnt get LT, Merriman, Castillo, Rivers...ect. because you guys were good...We all take our turns at the top some of us simply just make the most of our chances....ONE NATION!
from 3 months ago
are you talking about the Roided out Merriman? or the shell of Merriman after he got busted?
3 months ago
Paul? You're an idiot! Homies jackin people? What a stupid comment. Way to show the true ignorant colors of Charger "fans"
3 months ago
Wonderful.
Instead of replying to a comment I made, you START A WHOLE THREAD to discuss a comment I made??
LMFAO...only a Raider fan. (BTW..I'm sure the intent is to garnish support, weak that it be)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darkside:
This isn't so much an article as it is a question that I wish to receive an answer to. I was recently reading an article here and found a 49er fan call the whole Raider Nation a bunch of bandwagoner's (not sure if that's a word).
Being a Raider fan, I will give my biased opinion, with examples of why I feel we aren't. First to address that particular 49er fan who inspired this article. You are posting negative comments all over this site on RAIDER blogs with upwards of 50 comments.
Mike49er: Wrong. More of upward of 100 comments. Get it right, or they'll be hell to pay.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just the shear amount of comments should tell you that the Raider fans are numerous, and the time in which these comments are being posted (basically when the Raiders suck, sorry guys, we do right now) should say a lot about our faithfulness.
Mike49er: Says squat. Every single team..EVERY SINGLE TEAM has numerous boards, with lots of posters..teams that have NEVER WON a Championship, much less a SB. Hell the Cards have been down since 1947, yet they have numerous very very busy fan sites, as we speak. Save that 'I'm a fan even when my team lost SO WE MUST ALL BE THE SAME"?
Do you not realize how silly that sounds?
UH...RAIDER FANS????? BECAUSE YOU FOLLOW THE RAIDERS DOESN'T MEAN EVERY SINGLE RAIDER "FAN" FOLLOWS THEM CLOSELY. Nor does it mean every Niner fan, or Charger, Saints...WHOEVER..just because some of you clowns state 'but...but...I WAVE MY FLAG EVERYDAY" doesn't mean that your team, or any fan who does that's team is now THE BEST FANS IN THE WORLD.
Just means YOU wave your flag. That's it. Means NOTHING ELSE. Sounds very childish to state "duh, we's all here so we're duh best."
You have the title of the worst fans in the NFL for a reason.
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Yeah we talk a lot of crap, and we are ALWAYS optimistic about the upcoming season, but what true fan wouldn't be?
Mike49er: Blind optimism makes you a fool. Stating EVERY SINGLE YEAR THAT THIS IS YOUR YEAR makes you a bigger fool. Not all Raider fans state that. Many, maybe even most are realistic, and are guarded in their hopes. See...like many DIEHARD FANS you learn to not set yourself up. To not have high huge hopes, when you look at your team and you just know "We're not there yet". When they are there, you get more and more pumped up. You feel things are in place. Of course, more than not, you're disappointed when a player doesn't do as well, or injuries end your season, whatever..but...DOING THAT EVERY YEAR???? Diehards don't do that. There's a time to expect to win, and a time you hope you win. You obviously don't know the difference. You will, grasshopper...you will.===========================================
Yes the Raiders have had trouble selling out in the last few years, but all teams have times when they don't sell out.
Mike49er: WRONG. The Niners haven't won a SB since '94..THAT'S THIRTEEN YEARS..and yet, we still sell out every game. Am I surprised? Hell yeah. Because I go, doesn't mean that everyone will. Because I STATE I'M A DIEHARD DOESN'T MEAN I CAN ALSO STATE EVERY OTHER NINER FAN IS..but what I can state is I'm proud to say that the Niners have not HAD ONE HOME GAME BLACKED OUT IN THE LAST TWENTY SEVEN YEARS. Preseason..whatever...
One thing you can NEVER DO is compare fanbases. You all run the "Raider fans are the best". Reality says YOU might be a great fan, but as far as fan bases? Fans supporting their team when they don't win? YOU DON'T CLOSE TO NINER FANS..NOT EVEN IN THE SAME BALLPARK.
Supporting you team when they lose defines loyalty. Having a t-shirt, while living in Hoboken, just means you live in Hoboken, and have a shirt..nothing more. Showing up to games? Buying those tickets? Cheering on your team, even when they're losing? That's what loyal fans do.
Raider fans are anything but loyal. YOU might be..but in it's entirety???
You're last in the NFL.
That's a fact.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry Charger fans if I am calling you out, but it is the best example I can give since I live here and know how it is. Bandwagon fans are all over, every team has them, but some teams are worse than others, San Diego is another prime example.
Mike49er: Save it. You comment about "merchandise sold". John Vella's Locker Room, in Castro Valley, has tons of Niner gear. Raider shop off of Davis, in San Leandro? TONS OF NINER GEAR.
San Diego is the CLOSEST PLACE where football is played that LA Raider fans can go to watch the Raiders. Any shop that sells NFL merchandise would be damn fools to not have merchandise that customers might buy. They're in business to sell things. They could care less who buys what, just buy.
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In 2002 JT the Brick was BEGGING Raider fans to attend games. Was screaming "you all stated you won't support a losing team..well, the Raiders are winning. GO SUPPORT THEM. Show your colors. This game the Raiders need to ensure home field advantage. It's the END OF THE SEASON, FOLKS, IT'S PUT UP OR SHUTUP. Don't let the haters be right."
Remember what happened??
RAIDERS STILL DIDN'T SELL OUT. In the year you go to the SB. In a week 15 or 16 game, that you HAD TO HAVE, Raider fans still stayed away.
Of course, once the Raiders won the conference, Raider stores were jammed, with fans stating "I'm a diehard".
We all know better, don't we??
from 3 months ago
Jeeze there you go crying again... im gonna buy stock in Tissue.. as much as you cry.. ill be rich in no time...
from 3 months ago
Yes Mike40whiner, this thread was inspired by you. But get it right, I did post comments about you in the other blogs. And further more, not a single NFL team has as much support on it's pages as the Raiders, as well as the amount of trash talk from the haters. It just goes to prove that our team is more interesting and has more support. Keep trying to bring the Nation down, it won't happen, not from a whiny loser from across the bay. Good luck with your season. Maybe you should be more concerned about your team than ours anyway. And don't give me crap about Frank Gore, that stunk it up last year, unfortunately he was my featured back in FF and he lost me plenty of games, as he did for the whiners.
from 3 months ago
I have you figured out, finally. You are a typical Raider Hater, someone who says they like football and are a fan of a specific team. All you know how to do is talk trash on us. That is so gay, but I guess that makes sense, you are a SAN FRANCISCO fan.
from 2 months ago
FUCK! Give up already! I didn't even want to read your responding comment.
from 2 months ago
Mike49er hasn't written anything yet.
from 2 months ago
Mike49er-
Dr. York is taking all of that $$$ that you pay him for your weekly prostate exams and buying the remaining seats to ensure his patients who won't go to 49er games anymore (there are lots of those now) still get to see the game...
Suprisingly, Dr. York still makes room in the budget for his flag boys and their special "stretchy pants." That way, every little boy can grow up knowing that if they can't make the 49ers, they might have the honor of being one of Dr. York's flag boys.
3 months ago
Darkside
My answer to your question is simply to look at our comment boards as compared to other teams. I would say you would be hard pressed to find more comments out there. And we haven't even been really good for some years. The participation positive or negative from our Nation speeks for itself!
3 months ago
MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE!!!!!!!!!!! WILL YOU PLEASE GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from 3 months ago
Tell you what.
Beg me.
Get down and snivel a little more.
Let me see some more tears...heart felt pleas.
And for God's sake, change that dress. Paisley dress??? So 70's.
from 2 months ago
Mike49er hasn't written anything yet.
from 2 months ago
A typical 49er fan wanting to get on his knees. LOL!!
from 2 months ago
tony, dude... you don't want mike49r to go!!!
Don't you know??? the 49rs have MALE CHEERLEADERS!!!!
Isn't that the funniest thing you have ever heard!!!!
You know most people who live over---there, have always seemed a little too latent homosexual for my cup of tea.
Frisco is synonymous with the gay thing. So, to self stereotype themselves with MALE CHEERLEADERS (LMMFAO) sorry this just gets me every time hahahahaha
And then have the stones to say they have sold out for 13 years well YEAH!!! Hence why they have,,, HAHAHAHAHA "MALE CHEERLEADERS!"
They know exactly where their specific demographics are...
Now truly I don't know if this is still going on, I guess we'll find out in the 1st preseason game but regardless, this is something that happened and/or is still going on!!! Any way you slice it baby... I didn't make this sh*t up!!!
Imagine the French adding Kermit the frog to their flag? That would be histerical... Or Mexico (that's part of my heritage) changing the eagle devouring a snake for a migrant worker with his back resting on a cactus, wearing a big sombrero devouring a burrito with a semi full tequila bottle to wash it down.
That would be so unbelievably demeaning yet, I still would laugh my a$$ off!! But not as much as I do at the FRISCO 49r "MALE CHEERLEADERS!"
So keep'm here. he and the gaggle of closet dwellers who can't find any like minded 9'r fans to talk to are good for laughs.
I guess if you really think about it it's kinda sad... so I just don't think about it and (LMMFAO), Thanks Mike, hehehehehe
3 months ago
Oakland Raider fans are passionate regardless of how bad we have been the past 5 years. Even while the team was in LA, legions of East Bay folks flew down in support of "our" team. Heck the games were still shown locally in the Bay Area AND on radio even though the team was 500 miles south.
Why do you think Al brought the team back home? Because he knows the true Raider fans (Raider Nation) have supported the club through the good times and recently the bad.
The good times will come again. Al and the rest of the management need to recognize this as the current lease is about to expire, so he will not make the mistake of ever leaving Oakland again and its core fans who have supported them through this period.
3 months ago
Hey Mike, I just gotta know, do you ever say anyhting about your team. At least Pauly is trying to support San Diego while talking trash. Yeah I saw a couple lame comments about Gore and A Smith once, but come on, talk about your fearless team once in awhile.
from 3 months ago
In other words, I just torched your silly thread, and all you have in reply is 'Do you talk about the Niners"??
Yet another spineless worm, called a Raider fan, who can't back up what he said.
Oh..THAT'S RIGHT..you didn't have the huevos to challenge my comments where I originally made them, so you started a thread, lol...and STILL don't have the backbone to step up.
Back in the shadows, Weakside.
from 3 months ago
Mike you just continue to prove my point. Typical Hater. Like I said in a previous reply on this page, I did post comments about your lame ass remarks. But what can be expected from an internet tough guy. The reason you bash is cause you hate. You don't see any 49er hating because your team isn't worth the time. And this article wasn't written as a bash, you made a comment and I posed the question to see what kind of answers I would get. You should be honored that you inspired an article. But all you can think about is trash talking.
from 3 months ago
Darkside
Mike40whiner cant talk about his team because his team sucks worse then ours.. so he has to come cry on our site. i bet if we ignored him like the true idiot he is.. i betcha he will cry even more then he does now.. he has no team.. he has to be jealous of ours..
from 2 months ago
Good one Darkside. He can't talk crap, because his team is worse than ours. LOL!!
3 months ago
Posted by 67:
Oakland Raider fans are passionate regardless of how bad we have been the past 5 years. Even while the team was in LA, legions of East Bay folks flew down in support of "our" team. Heck the games were still shown locally in the Bay Area AND on radio even though the team was 500 miles south.
Mike49er: NO IT WASN'T. The affiliates showed national games, as scheduled. Oakland wasn't a home game, and the Raider station was required to show other games.
Nice try though.
And goody for you.
You "drove down" yet, here? In Oakland? Fans can't drive 3 miles to SHOW UP????
Again, nice try.
Ok, it wasn't.
===============================================
Why do you think Al brought the team back home? Because he knows the true Raider fans (Raider Nation) have supported the club through the good times and recently the bad.
Mike49er: LMFAO..geez..like taking candy from a baby. AL CAME BACK BECAUSE LA WAS A TOTAL BUST. Was so bad in LA that Al required cameramen to NOT FOLLOW ANY BALL IN THE AIR. No kickoffs, no punts, no deep balls thrown..Al was so embarrassed by the massive areas of empty seats, and of all the comments the announcers were making when the camera's panned the stands, that camera's had to be trained on the receiver, and NOT THE BALL.
NO ONE wanted the Raiders..period.
Al came back with tail between legs, and then screwed over those few remaining fans, resulting in the WORST FAN BASE IN THE NFL.
NO TEAM HAS WORST FAN SUPPORT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS THAN THE RAIDERS..none..you're the worst.
You stating "I drove to see them" doesn't change the fact the Raider Nation is more like the Raider Hill.
================================================
The good times will come again. Al and the rest of the management need to recognize this as the current lease is about to expire, so he will not make the mistake of ever leaving Oakland again and its core fans who have supported them through this period.
Mike49er: LMFAO..what city, IN THE COUNTRY, would ever consider the Raiders???
Well RAIDER FANS???
Put your money where your mouth is.
WHAT CITY IN THE COUNTRY WOULD WELCOME THE RAIDERS??? None..zero..zilch.
Al screwed over Oakland, then screwed over LA, then screwed over the little town of Irwandale, leaving it's current residents stuck paying huge yearly taxes to pay for the money Al swindled from them. THAT ALONE TELLS EVERY OTHER CITY, AND EVERY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER OF ANY CITY that only a damn fool would waste a penny on Al Davis and the Raiders.
Hell, Al wants to leave because of the horrible fan support, and you run the "core fans who supported him throughout"???
Yeah, all 12 of you, lol..and even at that, infrequently.
from 2 months ago
Mike49er hasn't written anything yet.
from 2 months ago
You talk a lot mike, but maybe you talk too much. Your comment on Irwindale is not a very bright one.
You surprise me, you seem to be so good with the "cut and paste" I would believe you of all people would know your comments on what happened in Irwindale shows total ignorance...
My 4 year old nephew knows more about the Irwindale incident that you do... It shows me and anyone who lived through it that you just open your mouth and expel nauseous gasses because knowledge ain't coming out of it...
That means your talking out your ass son! I guess that's no surprise to most people here but it is to me. I'm sure your crushed by this and I don't expect anything "NOW" from you that isn't more of your special gass.
Just one thing... you certainly can't claim to be able to back up your trash son... Coz here in the Irwindale saga. Your comments were not only venomous but mostly, MORONIC, and I'm being kind.
I guessed it before but really dude, you have issues, deep seated issues and maybe you should get some help on that...
.
3 months ago
Silver And Black Loco.....para siempre
Los Raiders...Muy Bueno para mi solomente
I fell in love with the Raiders when I was born, its no joke, I would stare and stare at the tele when the Raiders played. Put the 9ers on and I would go to my phisher-price toys and blanket. I was born and live in the Bay Area and have respect for all teams.....
But RaiderNation is not a Bandwagon, its an International Family, and they stick together when winning or losing. Raiders front office has re-released Raiders en espanol and the Raider site itself has stories in German, Chinese, Japonese, Tagalog and Spanish.
Hey, at least the 49ers offer something in Spanish, but not much interest from the Chinese, Japonese, German's and Filipino's(Tagalog).
3 months ago
Mike49er! You got a problem with posting on a 9er site? Don't you have any friends, male or female to spend time with. Are you a closet Raider fan? Guess you post here to get some ATTENTION.
No matter who your team is be loyal to them. Don't show your butt on this Raider site.
from 3 months ago
Or what? You going to hit me with your purse??
Shut up, fool.
from 3 months ago
Shut up. There you go again, DRIBBLE. Purse? That's a Niner thing.
3 months ago
Loyal Raider Fans Sold out The OAkland Alameda Coliseum every game win or lose for the Oakland Raiders before the move to LA in 1982, the reason they do not sell out every home game today still is because Raider Nation hs many who are still hurt and pissed off that Al Davis moved the team. If the Oakland Raiders don't pull another mistake to LA, with the Raiders managing ticket sales again(no more PSL), there is a strong chance of the Raiders going back to sellouts all the time, the attendance has creeped in the higher direction every year since returning.
Sorry LA, nothing against you, Oakland and the Bay Area Built the Foundations of the Raider Nation, they belong to everyone but must have a ZION to call home
3 months ago
WANT TO GET RID OF MIKE???????????? DON'T ANSWER BACK TO HIS DRIBBLE.
from 3 months ago
LMAO..are you crying?
I told you...shut up.
You get back to your Nintendo.
Grownups will call you when they need something...like a beer.
from 3 months ago
STOP....You're hurting my feelings......Not.
The 9ers sell out BUT in the 3rd quarter the seats are empty.
from 3 months ago
Tim.. the Niners sell out because they give the men free vibrators and dildos for every game they purchase.. Mike40Whiner is just pissed off his biyfriend Frank stole his...
3 months ago
Growing up in Nev. it was either Raiders or Whiners, damn glad my father chose to raise the family under the Black Flag. Our weekend chores and outings where planned around game time--they had to end in time for the games. I guess that's where a fan starts, with it being a FAMILY thing.
When I went to my first Raider game in Oakland all I heard before I went was how bad the fans would be--drunken, brawling, cursing heathens--and how I would have to watch myself. Wearing the gear of the Nation, how wrong they were!! I was accepted as one of a bigger family, which is how I view it. One Nation, under Al. I try to go to as many games as I can afford and have never been dissapointed with the fan base. Sure there are some ass-bags out in the stands, but where isn't there?
When I buy a new rig the first thing that goes on is the Shield, then the Nation stickers, then the plate frames. I wear colors to work (a cali. correctional facility) and get more comments for "reppresenting" even when we are down. They know I am a fan 'cause I'm not afraid to wear the colors at all times, good and bad. I love giving shit to the few "dolt" and "donk" fans in this area. Whiner fans are few and far between.
My friends and I buy NFL Sunday Ticket so we can watch every game, and have draft parties. Our wives and families support us, which only helps to pass the flag.
So, to answer your question--Raider fans are born, raised, and blessed, not bandwagoners. My wife says Mike49 needs to move out of his mother's basement and get a job, I can't print what I said.
GoRaiders_score--living in Nor. Cal.
from 3 months ago
Wow.
had no idea I had such drawing power.
Now Raider fans are bringing their spouses in to read what I post?????
Damn...am I good, or what? lol.
I'm kind of interested as to what Tim and Tomycar's husbands had to say.
from 3 months ago
BTW Shawn??? Can you be a bigger sheep? "one nation under Al"?? Admit it. You're wife tells you when to go to bed, and what to wear, right?
Niner fans are few and far between?? You have to buy Sunday ticket..means YOU DON'T LIVE IN THE BAY AREA.
Another rocket scientist masking as a Raider fan.
RAIDER NATION=NO INTELLIGENCE REQUIRED.
Golfing awaits...good luck with your video games, kids.
from 3 months ago
Who ya cadding for numb nuts
from 2 months ago
Mike49er hasn't written anything yet.
3 months ago
As for me, it's in my blood. Win, loose or draw! Born in "61", I've been a Raider fan since '69'. Unwavering, unyielding, avid, and unrelenting! Just for fun, revisit The Autumn Wind"...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1414183115323448274
Gives me goose bumps! Talk about "...it in a nutshell"!
We are The Nation, and we shall be back! Until which time, we'll circle the wagons!
Remember this, we shall be back and in short order!
3 months ago
Since the Raiders took over the ticket sales they have sold out 13 of 16 home games despite going 6 and 26. Any organization would be hard pressed to match that.
3 months ago
...just wait A-Town, just wait.
Our time is at hand! They'll see!
3 months ago
Thanks to mike proves to me that everybody wants to be a Raider fan. Why would anybody from an oposing team come to a site and read their articles. You dont see me going to a donkey site or the cowgirls site and reading their articles. Admit it mike you just want to be like US...
from 3 months ago
Terry.. you hit the nail on the head..
from 2 months ago
Ram fans, who get torched, and have nothing to say "You just want to be a Ram fan"
Card fans, who get torched, and have nothing to say "You just want to be a Card fan"
Clueless inept, babbling like a fool Raider fans, who usually can't think, much less come up with something to say 'You just want to be a Raider fan."
Of COURSE you wouldn't go on other boards..you have to know your shit. That leaves you out.
Exchanging smack isn't for everyone. The meek, weak, and clueless quickly fold like a cheap tent, reduced to 'Oh lordy me, why oh why would you come on our site and ruffle our widdle feathers."
Some people make things happen.
Others just watch.
Congrats on having the "watch" part down pat.
from 2 months ago
Mike the reason reason why i dont go on any other boards is because i dont give a Sh*t about them. come on mike just admit you want to be a RAIDER!!! Come on you know you want to HAHAHAHAHA
3 months ago
Glad you picked up that I don't live in the Bay. If I did I would own season tickets so I could go to all the games. Don't put me in your pink slippers, my wife doesn't tell me what to do. She realizes that you're a punk, your moniker gave it away. Started out talking about fans, and you spend all day on our site. Sad. Go enjoy your boyfriends 19th hole after your round.
It's obvious you enjoy the conflict you create, I don't understand why you don't apply your talents to your own teams website, promoting your team.
Pleny of room up here on the P.C. yard, ya'll come up for a visit.
From Northern Northern Cali.
3 months ago
Man I love the Raider Nation
3 months ago
LOL! Insult the Nation, and look what happens! Oh, and Mickey9er, P.C. is Protective Custody, so you don't have to go look it up.
Can't wait untill the season actually starts.
from 2 months ago
Look what happens?
So far what's happened is a half dozen kids ran their silly little juvenile gay crap, while they giggled . (oh, that's right, so did you.)
What also happened is a poster let me know that each night him and his wife discuss me, and my posts. Then she tells him what to post, then critiques him.
Oh wait..that was you too.
Uh, lol...what were YOU talking about?
from 2 months ago
Hey numb nuts. Why do you always have to refer to someones sexual preferance? You hung up on such things. I guess being a child molester and spending 10 years in the BIG Q is mind boggling. Did Bubba get to you poop for brains
3 months ago
I remember back in the 1980's when the Niners were having their hay day and were always sold out.
A niner player was quoted as saying the fans did not even know when to get loud or when to shut up. As the Niners started into their long run of mediocrity that continues to this day you see very few Niner stickers or jerseys in and about the Bay Area.
Now the Raiders over the last 5 years have been bad and the year with Shell they had to be the worse team I had EVER watched in the NFL. Add to that all the crap people love to throw on the mighty that have fallen in our world with one form being Raider Haters and I would have to say us Raider fans are die hards not band wagon jumpers.
All teams when going to the top will attract a percentage of jumpers, some teams more then others. Once a Raider fan there is no other team in the NFL and I for one cringe at the thought of what if there never were the Raiders. Once you bleed Silver and Black there is no going back.
2 months ago
I can't believe a 49er fan would even open his mouth about faithful fans. I remember when the 9ers where behind and the stadium emptied in the 3rd quarter. Sadly but true I took a 49er fan to a Raide3r game last year in a loosing season near the end of the year and he said it felt like a playoff game in SF. He has been a season ticket holder for 20 years in SF and he had to admit that in the fan base we had it all over the 9ers. Oh, me, Raider Fan second generation and season ticket holder since the Raiders returned to Oakland.
2 months ago
I'm reposting this from another thread but it seems the foo shits:
I'd always been a bandwagon fan. I got on the bandwagon in 1972, when I was 4, because I liked the pirate logo and the colors. My folks and brother are Niner fans, but the Niners stunk and the Raiders were always more exciting so I liked them better. We lived in a Raiders neighborhood and my friends' folks loved to party, Raiders block parties were better than birthday parties. Being a Raider fan was fun.
When the Raiders moved to LA our whole neighborhood felt cheated and betrayed. A lot of my friends' folks had season tickets from the beginning. Most of them swore to turn their back on the Raiders forever, they'd never go to another game if they ever moved back. And they haven't. The Niners started winning and we jumped on that bandwagon with a vengeance. Our neighborhood Niners Super Bowl party was bigger than SBXI, and sweeter because it came so soon after the Raiders abandoned us. My parents let me cut school and go into the City for the Niner's parade. And that's when everything changed.
That parade route was so filled with so many "lifetime Niner faithful" phonies it sickened me. I felt horrible that I was celebrating the Niners, a team I never liked or even respected, out of spite for the Raiders leaving. I met other Raider fans on our way home on BART who felt the same way . We ditched our Red and Gold that day and reclaimed our Silver and Black because we couldn't stand the thought of being phonies just because our team moved. They were still the Raiders and we were still Raider fans. Our loyalty was rewarded the next year with our best SB win v. the Redskins. So bandwagon fan becomes lifer.
These days its not as much fun being a Raider fan. Raider fans and the team seem to have simultaneously lost the Pride and Poise we once had. There's a lot of anger and frustration that's eating away at our unity. The stakes are higher. We lash out as Donk and Chargless fans we've rolled over for years gleefully mock and fuel our misery. Owning up to the fact the Raiders suck for the first time in my life, sucks more than the team itself. But I won't give up.
I'm turning back, I'm getting back on the Raider bandwagon. Being a lifer is too much commitment, not enough fun. My kids are budding Raiders fans and I want them to learn to love the Raiders the way I did. We're partying. We're celebrating the fact we get to watch football on Sundays together, win or lose, and it doesn't really matter how long the multi-millionaire overgrown kids in the Silver and Black tights with plastic hats take to get their act together. No more screaming at the TV. No more agonizing every loss or bad play. No more booing the team at home. We're partying regardless because otherwise what the hell are we in it for and when the team starts winning again we're partying longer and harder. Laissez le bon ton roulette!
2 months ago
The packers didn't make the playoffs for 20 years, the 40 whiners were a laughing stock in the 60's and 70's and are not only picked on as much because of thier "good Guy" image. The Cowboys were horrible for a 5-10 year span (mid 80's to early 90's), the N.E. Patsies were a joke until this decade, the Bucs (East Coast Raiders) same thing. I think you know where I am going! Hit us when we are down now because it wont be long until we are back on top. Remember the new decade is coming (AFC Championship game 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000). By the way Charger fan what has your team ever done? you have been hoping and praying for your whole life as a Charger fan and what has it done for your team? NOTHING!!!! We have a richer history, a better overall record in nfl history than your team, more Hall of Famers, more AFC Championships played/won, more division titles, a better head to head record than you and most of all 3 SUPER BOWL Championships. We along with the N.Y. Yankees are the only team that can be identified by the team colors or design in any sport (you say"Silver and Black and Pinstripes" people know what team you are talking about) by anyone in the U.S. and abroad. You say "Powder Baby Blue and Gold" people might be thinking what your painting your new baby girls room! I am from Sacramento (until 1987) and now live in Colorado Springs and no one liked the whiners until they started winning(1980's) and there are as much raider fans here as Donkey fans. Charger fans talking about Raider fans is Like KIA putting down HONDA. I can be here all day but if your a "Hater" then I am just wasting my time. I guess some people are blind with Jealousy........Raider Nation Forever!!!
from 2 months ago
What has Chargers ever done?
Kicked the Raiders ass year after year after year after year after year.
OHhhhhhh....my bad. You want to talk about ancient history.
Yeah, the cry of a LOSER. "I don't want to talk about NOW, I want to talk about a looooooonnnng time ago, when we were better."
You guys are the poster children for 'SUCKS TO BE US".
2 months ago
A very nice article and Mike49er is a joke.
2 months ago
I have been pulling for the Raiders for thirty freakin years and that isn't going to change! Through the good the bad and the ugly we Raider fans stay true to the Silver and Black! GO RAIDERS!!!
2 months ago
I met alot of people in the Marine Corps, alot of fans from alot of places, fallowing alot of teams. The Raider fans were friends even if they didnt like eachother (one nation), they knew rosters from befor they were born, team history, the great moments, the great disasters, they could all tell you why the immaculat reseption was an ILLEGAL play. We watch the Raiders play like our brother plays from the team & our dad is the coach. When was the last time you heard a Raider fan say "whats the Raiders record right now?" cause we ALL friggin know. I know Ive heard people say they were fans of this team or that & could name most of the starters & knew what there numbers & even knew some of then by seeing their face, but Raider fans know all the starters, backups, roll players, & numbers. If Jon Condo walk up to you (Raider fans) on the street I think 80% would know who he is, now show me a colts fan that would know their long snapper if he walked up & hit them with a dog turd. We study our team, we love our team & , as my wife says about myself & her Raider fan uncle, we are obsessed with OUR Raiders. Now you will find these type fans for other teams when theyre on top, but the Raiders are far from the top (albeit not for long) right now, but the nation remains united. Raider fans are like mad dogs, single minded & relentlessly driven.