Raider Nation
The Raider Nation is the unofficial name for the fans of the NFL's Oakland Raiders. They are particularly associated with a section of the Oakland Coliseum known as the 'black hole' (sections 104, 105, 106, and 107) which is usually occupied by rowdy fans. The origin of the name is obscure; certainly it was in vogue during the early 1980s, when Raider fans from the San Francisco Bay Area were forced to travel to Los Angeles or elsewhere to watch their team.
Why the Oakland Raiders would have such a dedicated fan base is not clear. The city's working-class background is cited, as is the influence of "outlaw" owner Al Davis. The team's aggressive style of play during the 1970s and 1980s,[2] when the Raiders won their three Super Bowls, is also mentioned. Members of the Raider Nation take pride in their image; Hunter S. Thompson, a Raider fan in the last years of his life, wrote, "The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."[3]
The team's fans devotion is chronicled in "Better to Reign in Hell," a book written by San Diego English professors Jim Miller and Kelly Mayhew, who are also Raider fans.[3]
The Raider fans were the original fan base to use "Nation" in their title. Since, other professional sports team's fan bases have copied the theme and put "Nation" in their title. One of the first to copy the Raider Nation were the Red Sox fans, calling themselves the "Red Sox Nation."
[edit] References
- ^ "Atlanta Falcons vs. Oakland Raiders - Box Score - November 02, 2008"
- ^ Mills, Roger (25 January 2003). "Raider nation No matter how far-flung Raider fans are, they remain united by a fierce and belligerent loyalty". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/25/Bucs/Raider_nation.shtml. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ a b Briggs, Bill (22 December 2005). "Raider Nation Bronco fans hate them - and they love it". Denver Post. http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3332212. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
[edit] External Links
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