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In honor of the 2022/2023 Raiders road to the Super bowl (Victory), let's get going!
December 24th 2021, I’m sitting in my home enjoying every moment of the Christmas season. My phone vibrates. it's my friend Ryan "You must get on Instagram now, someone I know is offering free tickets to the Raiders game. All you have to do is share your greatest Raider memory"
Let's revisit the old story...It was December 26th, 1992 and my father took me to see the Raiders play the Redskins at RFK in Washington DC. I was an annoying 10-year-old Raiders fan who lived in Virginia (still not sure how to explain my die-hard loyalty to the Raiders). During the game, I began making friends with the group of Redskins fans behind us, a group of 30-year-old men and women boozing it up, cheering for the Redskins. One of them, the particularly loud alpha male of the group, kept messing with me, all in good fun. Each time the Redskins scored or the Raiders missed a pass he'd heckle me. I, of course, dished it right back. At some point, I started having more fun bashing on him then watching the game. With 2 minutes to go, the Raiders were trailing 20-14 on our own 20-yard line. The Raiders began moving the ball into scoring position, when suddenly it happened. With 15 seconds to go, it was 4th and goal. The man, touchdown Timmy Brown, made an amazing catch and scored. The entire crowd was shocked and the stadium fell dead silent. The Redskins failed to commit the “Hail Mary”, the clock struck 0:00 and the game ended. The stadium was silent and I was stunned; I didn’t even know how to react. I turned to the man behind me and looked into his eyes. He stared back, slowly placed his beer on the ground, and wiped his hand on his pocket. With arm outstretch, he shook my hand and nodded his head for what seemed like an eternity. No words were exchanged. He was silently teaching me one of life’s greatest lessons: sportsmanship. I became a man that day, and I learned the value of respect and humility. And no, I’m not being over-dramatic; you weren’t there, so shut up.
Before I sent the story to Steve I decided to consult the wife...
“We. Are. Going. To. Win.
-sure thing babe
"I mean it, were gonna win this!"
-Babe, you're not gonna win these tickets.
"Are you...prepared to fly to Vegas the day after Christmas?"
-Sure sweetie, if you win, I'm all in.
10 minutes later Katie and I were all in. We are making our trek to “The Al, The Death Star, and The Black Hole” call it whatever you want.
Raiders vs the baby donkeys (broncos). Let's go baby!
We decided to cash in our Southwest Vouchers (waiting 5 hours at the Phoenix airport with a 4 and 6 year old didn't seem to bad now)
While at the gate, 2...not 1, but 2 gate agents came on the load speaker..."okay, let's hear it..."RAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDERS!" Go get that win baby!
We arrived and began our summit to one of the greatest sights these eyes have ever seen (I''m talking about Katie).
Meeting Marcell Reece was wonderful. I turned to him and said "My wife loved you on Guys Grocery Games". I was rewarded with the "DAWG! That's what I'm talking about". True story, 15 minutes later he passed me at concession stand and gave me the finger point.
Touchdown to take the lead!
Pay close attention to the 2 people we high fived first. At the end of the 1st half the two gentleman were dejected. I pointed my finger in his chest and said...Do you remember Denver 2015. 5 sacks in the 2nd half. Snow game 2004 with Ronald Curry...we ain't losing this game." A few high five hugs ensued.
When the clock struck 0:00 the Raiders had defeated the broncos. I looked at the two gentleman behind me, gave them the ultimate sportsman move, the handshake. We parted ways as Katie and I had another layover to look forward to. Gosh I love Raider football...
Let's go 2022 Raiders!