The Boys Are Back In Town: How The Oakland Raiders Have Changed Lives

            Being from Grand Rapids, Michigan people always ask me “how are you an Oakland Raiders fan?” My infatuation with the franchise started in the third grade. The most popular book in our elementary school’s library was 75 seasons of the NFL. One week I was fortunate enough to check the book out. The same week I caught a cold and had to stay home from school. Instead of taking a nap or watching hours of cartoons, I found myself lying on the living room floor flipping through the pages of the large book. Not much of a reader back then, I focused on the pictures of NFL greats past and present. Out of all the pictures I saw that day one stood out. It was a picture of Raider great Dave Casper making a catch. Now infamously known as “The ghost to the post,” the picture had a significant impact on me. The classic silver and black uniform and the unspoken confidence they seemed to exude drew me to the franchise.

            As I grew older I continued to follow the team. I was able to witness local college legend Charles Woodson become member of the team. After watching nearly every game of Woodson’s at the University of Michigan, I was thrilled by my team’s acquisition. I was also able to see the Raiders play in the 2002 Super Bowl. Even though they lost it helped vindicate my support for a team not named the Detroit Lions. However, all of this pales in comparison to what happened during the summer of 2006.

            After finishing my freshman year of college at Michigan State University I returned home and started working at a local factory for the summer. The job was slow and employees were allowed to listen to iPods or CD players to help pass the time. After getting tired of listening to the same music everyday I decided to explore the world of podcasts. Naturally, I searched for a podcast that followed the Oakland Raiders. A multitude of listings came up, and I chose one called the Raider Nation Podcast. I listened to the show, which seemed to be more of a rant about the Raiders dismal performance than a talk show. Although it was a little odd, I enjoyed it. After a couple weeks of listening, the host of the podcast announced that the show would be giving away two tickets to every home game. The criteria for winning the tickets were that the fan must live 500 or more miles away and write an e-mail describing why you should get the tickets. I figured, “what the hell? I’ll give it a shot.” Two weeks later, I learned I had won two tickets to the Oakland Raiders – Arizona Cardinals game that fall.

            Lacking financial funds it was obvious that my father would have to accompany me on this cross-country journey. However, there was a dilemma. I have a brother who is three years younger than me and loves football almost as much as I do. Two tickets would simply not do. Fortunately my dad was able to get another ticket for my brother. As October grew nearer we all were antsy to board the plane and set off for sunny California. Three days before our departure my dad received a call from his best friend who lives in Orlando. After telling him the story of how I won the tickets he wanted in. Our band of brothers was officially set.

            Before I knew it we were touching down in sunny California. We stayed in nearby Berkeley and toured Cal’s campus Saturday. When game day rolled around we got dressed in our Raider gear and headed for the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).  At each stop more and more Raider fans piled on to the subway car and the clanging and chanting grew louder and louder. It was an interesting group of fans. People of all ethnicities and sizes dressed up in full regalia ready to cheer on the Raiders.

When we arrived at the McAfee Coliseum stop we made our way out of the subway. There the chanting was at peak decibel levels and barks, screams, and loud clanging was obviously part of the norm. In order to enter the stadium we had to walk across an overpass and into the stadium gates. The overpass was tight and on either side was chain link fence with barbed wire lining the top, yes we were definitely in Oakland. I felt as if we were entering a prison.

After picking up our tickets we entered the coliseum. Our seats were eight rows up behind the visitor’s bench. We watched warm ups and stood in awe at the size of the players. When the announcer started to play “Hells Bells” by ACDC for player introductions we knew we were at a special place. It was a place where anyone could fit in, a motley crew of Raider faithful.

The game ended in a 22 – 9 Raider victory, and after the game we all vowed that we would return to Oakland each year for a game. In a sense Oakland has become our Mecca, and I am proud to say we have kept that vow to return each year since.

            At the end of the day the Oakland Raiders will always be my favorite team. Whether they are contending for the Super Bowl or at the bottom of the AFC west, the silver and black will always be in my heart. People will still ask me, “How can you be an Oakland Raiders fan? They suck.” At least now I can say its better than being a Lions fan.