My Favorite In Team History: Raiders

In this series, I will be looking back on each NFL team and choosing my favorite logo, uniform, moment, and player in the history of that team. Next up, the Raiders!

As you may have noticed, I didn't preface the Raiders with a city. They are indeed the Las Vegas Raiders now, but they will always be the Oakland Raiders to me. Any other name just doesn't feel right. The Raiders are most likely going to be in Vegas for quite a long time, so maybe in 10 years it will grow on me (lol).

The Raiders logo and uniforms are so classic, so simple, and so perfect. The pants always match the helmet (silver with a black stripe) and the jerseys are black with silver numbers and white with black numbers. No pipping, no shoulder stripes, no side panels. Nothing! And it is perfect that way. There is no need to touch the Raiders logo or their uniforms. Ever.

I know many believe the Dallas Cowboys, or the Green Bay Packers are THE iconic franchises of the NFL, but I beg to differ. I honestly believe the Raiders are the most iconic franchise in the NFL. I remember watching the NFL Films series on the old Raiders. How strange, different, and awesome they were. How could one ever forget the beautiful sound of "The Autumn Wind":

The Autumn Wind is a pirate Blustering in from sea, With a rollicking song, he sweeps along, Swaggering boisterously. His face is weather beaten. He wears a hooded sash, With a silver hat about his head, And a bristling black mustache. He growls as he storms the country, A villain big and bold. And the trees all shake and quiver and quake, As he robs them of their gold. The Autumn Wind is a raider, Pillaging just for fun. He'll knock you 'round and upside down, And laugh when he's conquered and won.

"Annd Da Raaiiders!" as Chris Berman would say, have had so many iconic players throughout the history of the team. From Kenny "The Snake" Stabler, Marcus Allen, Fred Biletnikoff, Jim Plunkett, Dave Casper, George Atkinson, Lester Hayes (Lord of Stick-em lol), Willie Brown, Tim Brown, Howie Long, AND SO MANY MORE! It is just crazy to think about all of the iconic players that played for the Silver & Black.

You might have noticed one player I left off that list. That was done on purpose, as he is my favorite player in the history of the Raiders. That man is none other than Bo Jackson. Now, this is a bit of a cheat as his career ended a couple of years before I actually started watching football, but this man was a beast of epic proportions. When I think of the Raiders, I think of Al Davis (lol), but after that, I think of Bo Jackson. Seeing his highlights makes me jealous that I didn't get to live in the "BO KNOWS" phenomenon. That being said, I do own a "BO KNOWS" tee (black shirt with a sliver "BO" and white "KNOWS"). I have an autographed mini Raiders helmet in a clear box case, on my desk, and a Funko Pop Vinyl figure of Bo Jackson on top of said case. I think I may live tweet one of Bo Jackson's best games soon. I think it would be really fun.

Sadly the Raider name has been spoiled a bit. The last time they were good was back in 2000, to 2002. They made the Super Bowl in 2002, which would have been my favorite moment in Raider history, except for the fact that they got the brakes beat off them by the Bucs, to the tune of 48-21. I was rooting for the Raiders so hard that year. Everyone had left the "Super Bowl Party" and I was sitting there alone on the couch as the beating seemed to never stop. They had one good season in 2016 by finishing the season 12-4 but lost in the Wildcard round. But to stay within the lines of the rules, I don't remember anything from my time watching football where I fondly remember a great Raider moment. Most of my found Raider memories come from before I was watching.

I long for the days where the Raiders are back on top. I would love for them to have a 2 out of 3, or 3 out of 4 Super Bowl period. I think it would be great for football. I am tired of seeing this iconic team preform so badly year after year. They are the god damn Raiders for crying out loud. There is only one thing I want them to do...

"JUST WIN BABY!" - Al Davis

That wraps up this edition of "My Favorite In Team History". This is the 7th, so if you missed the last 6 make sure you check out the NFL category and read up on them. Do you have different favorites? Especially favorite moments. Let me know on twitter. I would love to hear all of the cool moments that mean something to all of you!

Autumn Wind Lyrics - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Autumn_Wind

Complete Raiders Record History - http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/teams.nsf/histories/raiders

Pictures - Google.com