They just don't understand. When it comes to being a fan of the Oakland Raiders, you're all in. Real fans never quit their team. There is no switching allegiance to another team or colors. You might disagree with team decisions and possibly even boycott them, but the love remains intact. Because you are a proud member of a silver and black fan base that's loyal to the core. You've got history with your team.
Raider Nation is more than just followers of a football team; it's a collection of humanity who've found integrity in slogans like "commitment to excellence" and "just win baby." It's a group of individuals coming together to share in what it means to support an idea, a vision, a cause and a community. It's a membership that can't be bought, borrowed or bartered for. You can only earn membership with love & loyalty. And as with most relationships of commitment there's times when it hurts. Times you wish you'd maybe not gotten so seriously involved. Times when you question whether to stay in the relationship or just walk away, because of the pain. But you stay because you know you'll never find another like it. The pain makes you stronger.
Then you remember the good times, the "One Nation" feeling that only a stadium full of screaming silver & black fans can give you. You smile with thoughts of witnessing the most unpredictable wins and unlikely outcomes. Thoughts of clutching fellow fans as the Raiders pull off another classic win at home are etched in your game memory scrapbook. You warm to the idea that you have been and continue to be a part of sports most committed and recognizable fan base, regardless of how villainous others might perceive you. The warmth brings about a radiant glow of pride in your face and stoic victory in your heart. You hear the late John Facenda narrating lines to the "Autumn Wind" poem and you're ready to strap on a helmet and run through a brick wall. Because YOU ARE A RAIDER. And there's nothing like it in the world of sports.
So Raider Nation, should anyone question how you can remain loyal to a 4-12 team that's about to move to Las Vegas and leave you football homeless, you tell'em they'll never understand what it means to be part of something bigger than the NFL. Bigger than sports. You tell'em there's nothing on this earth next to God & Family that fills you with a love and loyalty so powerful it takes your breath away. You tell'em what it means to be a part of Raider Nation. Then ask if their team and fan base makes them feel anything like what you've just described. Chances are they've never experienced anything like Raider Nation. And as fans of other teams they likely never will. How could they?
Say Goodnight to the villain -
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