Tell us a little of your personal history as a Raiders fan. Were you born into Raider Nation? Just decided to follow the team from afar? Did you grow up in the Bay Area? How did you get to living where you are today?
I became a fan of the Raiders way back in 1977, watching Super Bowl XI with my father in our home in Southern New Jersey. I was ten years old and remember thinking they looked like a wild team, totally different from what I'd seen of our local team, the Philadelphia Eagles. The play that really did it though was Jack Tatum knocking Sammy White's helmet off. That still ranks as one of the greatest hits I've ever seen.
How hard, or easy, is it to follow the Raiders from where you live? Do you watch the games at home? Listen on the radio? Use the internet? Also: How many Raider fans are there in your area?
Before the internet and DirectTV, it was tough to follow the raiders here on the East Coast. I was able to catch the occasional national broadcast on Monday Night Football or Sunday late game but other than that, I had to depend on the newspaper or the old "900" sportslines.
These days it's much easier thanks to the internet and satellite TV. I've been very active on Raider message boards (I actually ran one for Silver and Black Illustrated for many years) and can normally find a way to catch a game either through the internet or at a local tavern. Raider fans aren't as numerous in these parts as they were a decade ago but there are still a few of us diehards left to make some noise when something happens.
How often do you go to Raider games? What’s the last game you’ve been to? How has the Raider fan experience changed over the years?
I've been to a few Raider games in Philly and New York (or should I say North Jersey?) over the years but I finally made a game out in Oakland for the MNF home opener back in September '09. It was a great experience during which I met some of the long time friends I had made through SBI's boards, numerous old time players like Stabler, Villipiano, Branch, Vella and Ted Hendricks, had a great time at Ricky's and, thanks to my friend Mike Wagaman, was able to watch and help cover the game for SBI in the press box at the Coliseum. I was down on the field for the last two minutes of the game which unfornately went to the Chargers on a late TD drive.
I guess the experience for me has changed over the years in that I went from feeling like being the only Raider fan in South Jersey during my younger years to feeling like part of a family over the last decade. My experience in Oakland last year really drove home how deep our bond as Raider fans go regardless of geography.
I've been to a few Raider games in Philly and New York (or should I say North Jersey?) over the years but I finally made a game out in Oakland for the MNF home opener back in September '09. It was a great experience during which I met some of the long time friends I had made through SBI's boards, numerous old time players like Stabler, Villipiano, Branch, Vella and Ted Hendricks, had a great time at Ricky's and, thanks to my friend Mike Wagaman, was able to watch and help cover the game for SBI in the press box at the Coliseum. I was down on the field for the last two minutes of the game which unfornately went to the Chargers on a late TD drive.
I guess the experience for me has changed over the years in that I went from feeling like being the only Raider fan in South Jersey during my younger years to feeling like part of a family over the last decade. My experience in Oakland last year really drove home how deep our bond as Raider fans go regardless of geography.
What’s the predominant college or pro team in your area? How is that fan base similar or different to the Raiders fan base? Hear a lot of trash talk from fans of other teams? Give us an example of how Raider fans might be the same or different from some of the fans in your area.
Penn State is the dominant college team in this area and is the college team I follow. Geographically, it doesn't make sense but considering Temple is the only other Division I program near Philly, it's logical.
There is a certain amount of trash talk from the Eagles fans when the teams meet but nowhere near the level of animosity you'll hear from them towards Giants, Cowboys or Redskins fans. If anything, it seems like they respect the Raiders past though they have had as much fun as anyone else with our problems over the last decade.
What’s one or two unique things about where you live? What makes it stand apart from other places?
The Philadelphia/South Jersey area is unique for it's history. Philadelphia is of course the birthplace of the country and the home of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, etc. South Jersey is known for it's farmlands, cranberries, a couple of fine wineries and breweries and of course, the REAL Jersey Shore, not to be confused with the crap you see on MTV.
Feel free to add anything you like.
I have many great memories from the Raiders but I guess my two favorites are the Tatum hit on Sammy White and the final minutes of the 2003 AFC Championship game. Yes, we went on to get destroyed in the Super Bowl but that moment when we knew we were finally going back after so many years was awesome.
I have many great memories from the Raiders but I guess my two favorites are the Tatum hit on Sammy White and the final minutes of the 2003 AFC Championship game. Yes, we went on to get destroyed in the Super Bowl but that moment when we knew we were finally going back after so many years was awesome.
