Peanuts In My Pocket

I have a long history with the Las Vegas Raiders, dating back to their original days in Oakland, followed by their move to Los Angeles in 1982, the return to Oakland in 1995, and, regrettably, the move to Las Vegas in 2020. I’ve been a fan for 50 years, even though I had to hide my love for the team from my stepfather back in the ’70s.

I first saw them play and win in Los Angeles. When they moved back to Oakland, I could only watch them on TV because attending away games was out of reach for me in the late ’90s. In the early 2000s, I began taking a yearly road trip to Oakland to see them play, but something odd happened—I didn’t see them win. Year after year, I watched them lose, often in blowout fashion. The streak finally broke in 2018 when they beat Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns 45-42 in an incredible overtime game.

It was Baker Mayfield’s first start. As usual, the game seemed like a lost cause near the end, and many fans left the stadium before the Raiders managed to tie it and force overtime. I’d guess about 70% of the stadium was empty by that point. In a strange twist, I was hugged by random people on the walk back to my car—something that doesn’t happen often. I didn’t come down from that high for hours.

I may never see them play live again. The Raiders quickly returned to their losing ways the following season. I watched them lose in 2019, just before they moved to Las Vegas. With ticket prices, travel, and hotel costs high enough to buy a used car, going to games seems out of reach—especially when they’re still losing. I usually watch them play in LA against the Rams or Chargers, although I did catch a preseason win last year.

The Raiders played the Rams in LA yesterday. I wanted to go, but my son was out of town, so I watched from home instead. True to form, they lost in a terrible performance, 20-15. To cap it off, Gardner Minshew threw his third interception to end the game. The Raiders couldn’t even beat a team arguably worse than them. It’s pathetic.

By the end of the game, I was advocating for a name change. Maybe they should be called the Las Vegas Gamblers or the Bradyots. We could even relaunch the Raiders in Oakland or LA as a new franchise. Anything would be better than what’s happening now. There’s no hope—not even the excuse of a rebuilding year.

Possible new Raiders team nicknames: The Las Vegas Losers, Fumblers, Misfires, Turnovers, Busts, Heartbreakers, Blunders, Letdowns, Interceptions, or my favorite, the Las Vegas Tankers.

Since 2000, the Raiders have won 159 games and lost 232, averaging about 7 wins and 10 losses per year, with only 2016’s 12-4 season standing out. It’s hard being a Raiders fan, but here I am, still holding on.