First Love...

Growing up in my family there were two things stressed; family first and loyalty to the Raiders. Almost every memorable moment of my childhood the Raiders are either in the forefront of the memory or in the background. By 7 I knew that Howie Long was the only player on the team that played in Oakland and would recite that eagerly. In 1992 I watched as Bo Jackson was injured against the Bengals in the playoffs. I remember being extremely heart broken because I knew that if he would have been healthy we would have won the Super Bowl that year. In 2000 I remember being able to call out when ever Rich Gannon would run a naked bootleg for a touchdown before the play was even called. I remember feeling like I was punched in the stomach with the "Tuck Rule." The Raiders have been there for so long its almost like a relationship. We have had hit a pretty rough patch the last couple of years. With that rough patch, there have been some longing to go to another team. One thats more mature and better looking. But like all relationships I just can't turn my back on them. This is when they need me. To show my love more then ever to help them back to the top. Yes, it may be a one sided relationship but it's one that I will never leave. I have invested too much energy and love. Yeah, they may break my heart but they never leave. Every fall they come back in my life. And every fall I embrace them with open arms.