Oakland Raiders Jubilee Year: Fifty Years of Excellence

 A Raider Fan's Proclamation

No matter what method you use, there certainly seems to be a remarkable set of numbers cited this year in the history of the Oakland Raiders franchise.

There is a temptation to study some of the numbers in the Oakland Raiders franchise. The numbers are beckoning me to another type of thinking.

For example, in 2009, the owner of the Oakland Raiders, Al Davis turned 80 years old.

In 2009, the Oakland Raiders franchise turned 50 years old.

Thirty-nine years ago, I personally witnessed a miraculous win of the Oakland Raiders over the New York Jets. It all happened during the last eight seconds of the game, in Shea Stadium. Eight is another interesting number, according to some writers and researchers. Eight also means "new beginning."

I actually found a copy of a New York Times article in 2008, which was 38 years after I witnessed the Raider's victory during those last eight seconds. The article is my documentation of the historical event that I witnessed in Shea Stadium.

Can you imagine the power of that moment in 1970?

My interest in sports writing started 38 years after witnessing a powerful catch in Shea Stadium.  That historical event is the reason I never, ever leave a football game early.

Raider history will document that there was an era when "last minute or last second" victories would bring thousands to their feet in exhilaration and excitement.

Last Sunday's game was a perfect example of a last minute victory.

Furthermore, I read an article that indicated there can be meaning to the numbers associated with a date or name. So, the day I witnessed the spectacular catch was December 6, 1970. Now add those digits and you get 8, another number to which folks attach meaning.

The addition would go like this:

Now add the digits in 26:

Let's have a little fun and make a few observations.

The age of Al Davis is 80-years old, and there are those who say that 80 means a new beginning.

There are those who say that 50 years mark a "Jubilee" in an event. It marks a time of renewal, rejoicing and new opportunities.

It occurred to me that the Oakland Raiders are celebrating their 50 year anniversary. New joys and hope are coming into view.

One professional sports writer listed the 50 most outstanding Oakland Raiders in the history of the franchise. He listed and ranked 50 great men who are former and present Oakland Raiders.

A common belief is the following:

"The laws of the jubilee year were such as to enable each "person" to begin life again on an equal basis."

I, therefore, will use another type of thinking and say to you that we are at a new beginning. We are beginning life again in the NFL. We are now on an equal basis. We are headed toward victory.

Yes, I have looked at 80, 50, 38 and eight. What do I see?

I see a parable of a man who laid by a pool for 38 years, but somehow he missed getting into the healing waters for his restoration and "victory." But one day, he got up, and he was restored.

I see a team on its way up. I hear, metaphorically, a voice telling the team to, Rise up and walk!

And, because of what we see and hear, we make manifest and touch "victory" for the Oakland Raiders, henceforth and forevermore.

This is a proclamation from an Oakland Raider fan.