Definition of a Raider fan
M. Anthony Tejeda, Staff Writer
Issue date: 12/7/05 Section: Sports
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When the Oakland Raiders beat the Washington Redskins in another rematch of the most memorable football game I've seen in my life, Jan. 22, 1984's Super Bowl XVIII, I knew things had changed. Today is a far cry from the past, as both teams are not even a shadow of what they used to be.
Every time I see an NFL Films special featuring the Raiders from the late '70s and early '80s, I get that spine-tingling feeling. The hair on the back of my neck rises, and my blood starts pumping. The fresh feeling of nostalgia invades my world. I stick my chest out in pride, but then I realize that like most Raider fans, I'm getting excited over something that no longer is.
We haven't lived through a sustained run of success since then. It's really sad. The past is just that: the past.
Still, many of us can't help but hold our heads high because the Raiders did, in fact, win three NFL titles.
Super Bowl XVIII was the greatest birthday present ever, complete with a 74-yard touchdown run by Marcus Allen. Super Bowl XI happened on the year I was born against the Minnesota Vikings (you do the math). It appears I was destined to be a Raider fan. You can see me on Sundays wearing my Raider jersey, beer in hand, sitting on the couch like every other football-lovin' couch potato.
Still, some of us take it a step further and don the holy Raider regalia on Sundays. The stands are overrun with grandiose silver and black, and the occasional Darth Vader suit affirms the "Dark Side" atmosphere.
San Diego witnessed this first-hand last Sunday. Raider fans sauntered through the tunnels of Qualcomm Stadium, filling the air with their all-too-familiar, hated chant: "Rrraaaaaiiiiiiidddddeerrrrsss, Rrraaaiiidddddeeeerrrrsssss."
That's what I think of as true Raider fans. That's what makes us considered the most hardcore fans across all of sports. Everywhere we go is our home turf.
You see, to most, Oakland Raiders fans are the most passionate in the NFL. However, to others, they're freaks who can't figure out that Halloween only comes once a year. A select few spectators believe they probably belong in prison. That's probably a stretch, even though Raider fans haven't exactly helped dispel that myth, especially here in San Diego.
Here's the truth: Raider fans love their team. Plain and simple.
When I say Raider fans, I don't mean every idiot who was taught how to put a shirt on by his mommy and decided to grab a Randy Moss jersey. I mean the ones who can tell you about Raider history.
They'll tell you the Heidi game against the Jets in 1968 is famous because most of the nation didn't actually see it. NBC switched to the movie "Heidi" with a little more than one minute left and the Raiders down by 10.
Or if you ask about the Holy Roller play, they'll tell you it happened against the Chargers in 1978 and the ball somehow slid into the end zone and was recovered by Dave Casper after Ken Stabler fumbled.
They'll even tell you the "Immaculate Reception" of 1972 was a blown call that allowed Pittsburgh's Franco Harris to get into the end zone and steal a victory.
Heck, sometimes I still wake up in the middle of the night screaming, "That ball hit the ground!"
Now, Raider fans get a bad rap from the media, the authorities and opposing team's fans. It's understandable, since there are a good number of idiots out there who fight and even stab people. But it's unfortunate that the stereotypes of Raider fans are blanket stereotypes.
People, please understand that L.A. gangsters are not really Raider fans. Ask them about Heidi. Ask them about Holy Roller. Their response might go something like: "What homes! You don't like it or what!"
At that moment, I cringe. Why, oh, why is that idiot wearing a Bo Jackson Jersey? What about that other fool in the Howie Long throwback? Why is he wearing a Howie Long jersey? Does he know it's the same Howie Long who's on NFL on FOX? It's at those times we regret that Raider jerseys are among the most popular in the NFL. It's at those times we Raider fans have to disassociate ourselves from blockhead, pseudo-Raider fans who do nothing more than add insult to injury.
It's definitely not the way it used to be.
- M. Anthony Tejeda is an English senior.
- This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.