While we can understand coach Madden’s sentiments regarding Oakland, the fact remains that Silver and Black will keep moving forward; stronger than ever.
John Madden undoubtedly has a direct and iconic association with the Oakland Raiders. The Hall of Fame coach and world-renowned NFL personality holds the most historically revered voice left for the Raiders since the passing of the late Al Davis.
It’s because of such distinction that Madden’s recent comments reveal a degree of negativity towards his opinion of a “historical loss” due to the franchise rolling the dice (See what I did there?) and relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada.
The long saga of relocating the Raiders has been exhausting & inevitable after making a previously sour return from a controversial stint in Los Angeles.
Despite all of this “Raider Nation” has remained globally loyal throughout the times despite negative ownership issues & a long lull in the teams success on the field. The NFL could never write it’s own history without the Raiders, although Madden suggests bitterly it will cease to be remembered.
Certainly a chill of “The Autumn Wind” passing over the bay in Oakland thru the stadium, just feels right. The autumn wind survived the smog-laced, warm Santa Ana winds of Los Angeles and seemingly will blow over the sun beaten desert flats of Las Vegas.
The Raiders will still be playing football in the Silver & Black, albeit in their third city, continuing to add a new regime of Raiders lore to it’s long & undeniable history of great players & moments. Could you tell the Raiders story without Marcus Allen’s 74 yard cut back touchdown run for The Los Angeles Raiders’ Super Bowl victory in 1984? I’d be pressed to think not. Do you erase Willie Brown’s 75-yard interception return touchdown in Super Bowl XI for The Oakland Raiders? I’d think Old Man Willie might want a word with you.
The transport via BART to the games, Mac Dre blaring from the tailgating speakers, and Town Bidness was a cultural rooted fan experience like no other. From the infield dirt of the Oakland A’s to “The Black Hole”, passed from players like: Ken “The Snake” Stabler, Bo Jackson, Tim Brown, Rich Gannon, to future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson’s return as an Oakland Raider throwing up the “O”.
The history of The Oakland Raiders will never be forgotten in spite of what Madden might feel which is understandable, but the tale will remain forever told and let’s hope to give The Town one more Super Bowl to hold.
You can catch Madden’s full interview here.
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