Raider Nation: A Brother Travels South

For those of you who have read my articles from time to time, you've heard me talk about going to the Sportsrock, and watching a game, good or bad, with family.

Yesterday, I got to watch one I would call Brother, depart for Denver.

As the economy around here has turned for the worse, and jobs have become scarce, the market field for his skills shrank. About a month ago, he told me that the move was going to happen, unless something opened up in short order.

Needless to say, it didn't.

For the Raider Nation, this one, I would call Brother, was a great tuning fork, to bounce ideas off, and swap rumors with. We would meet down at the Rock, have some pizza, and watch the Raiders play. We'd try to guess on when Kiffin was gone, and we'd bet on when Al Davis would expire.

But to that effect, he was more than a good friend.

On different occasions, he'd act as messenger for the Raider Nation in Rapid City, printing up fliers to hand out. He'd act as transportation at times, thanks to 4-wheel drive.

And thanks to his experience in different regions like Alaska, California and Colorado, he had first-hand knowledge of what the other Raider Nation families are like.

So, it was painful to watch him pack it all in, and head back home.

But one thing that could be said, about Brandon....

He may have left....but the Raider Nation flows within him, no matter where he hangs his hat.

So, if anyone should read this, in the Rocky Mountain region, and know of the local affiliate, keep an eye out for Brandon Wands....big Raider fan, either with a Robert Gallery or a Michael Huff jersey on.

He's truly an inspirational fellow, a great Raider fan.

And a Brother to the Nation.

Raider On!