Come On Oakland Raiders, Learn From My Generation of Overcomers

Life is not always a bowl of cherries. Sometimes you'll have hard times; sometimes good times.

I started respecting Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders more than 38 years ago. There are several reasons for this respect and support.

Davis took some chances on some NFL players who other folks denied opportunity. He came under criticism then; he comes under criticism now.

He seemed to defy the odds. And most times, he won. In fact, the history of the Oakland Raiders franchise is so strong, that the win-loss ratio is still above teams like San Diego, and others.

My generation of professional football players did not make the kind of money that is made by the young players in the 21st century. The support system was not even strong in the past.

Raw talent is what most of the players had who attended universities like Texas Southern University, Prairie View University, Tennessee State University, and others. They got in the door to play with the Oakland Raiders and other teams because of their talent, nothing more, nothing less.

I have always been observant. I love to dig deep, do research and look at issues and events from every perspective, including all dimensions.

I hear folks write and pronounce doom on the Raiders. They do it to the Raiders, and they do it to me and others. I don't listen to their pronouncements. I listen to something bigger than you and me, and I do believe in self-determination as well.

When I was younger, say, 1960, the year the Raiders got started as a franchise, I actually wanted to be a doctor. My school counselor discouraged me. I looked at him, an African-American man, and I thought, "He is limited and he wants to limit me."

When I was near 40 years old, I wanted to study for a doctorate in mathematics. Folks discouraged me. Did I listen to the naysayers? No. I went on and participated in a doctoral program in mathematics, studying subjects like differential equations, topology, advanced statistics, complex analysis and more.

All of this has prepared me to study and analyze situations in sports, and other areas. It is hard to pull the wool over the eyes of someone who knows how to ask questions, to delve deeper and to be aware of faulty reasoning, and analysis that is not built on complete and exhaustive data.

So, here I am on Bleacher, on a watch tower, discerning how situations are handled and how decisions are made. I enjoyed my B/R title of "analyst" but now I am a columnist. I enjoy that title, too.

Earlier today, someone asked about me applying to be a feature columnist. I did apply. I was rejected. Did I quit? Did I get disappointed? Did I get upset? No. Not one bit.

My entire career as a woman in mathematics and engineering has been "spiced" by rejections, from time to time.

Those losses, those rejections "fuel" my soul, and I rise up higher and higher each time those limiting decisions and hindrance raise up against me. I expect the Oakland Raiders to do the same, or even better.

So, here is wisdom for the current Oakland Raiders. Learn from a grandmother, from a woman who has been fueled by attempts to limit or hinder. Rise up, young men. Demonstrate your strength and talent.

And remember these words, given to me by someone:

"All things work together for good...."

Did a shutout happen? It will work it's for good.

Is the season not going the way you thought it should go in 2009? Look yourself in the mirror and say, "It is for my good, for now."

Finally, learn the lessons of wisdom from earlier generations and grow strong and powerful in your pursuit of excellence. Pursue excellence, Oakland Raiders, because that is a part of your motto!

Take heed: You are overcomers. No weapon formed against you shall prosper. You are being prepared for victory, if not now, then certainly real soon.