As the NFL offseason continues into the month of April, it permits some time for the fan base of the Oakland Raiders to cope with the news regarding Las Vegas. It also allowed the players some time to digest and react to the news, now that they know it is official.
When the decision was officially approved during the annual NFL owners meeting, the team and city was in a state of shock. Although the fan base began to accept the fate of the approval, most did not expect the 31-1 approval from the NFL owners.
The first players to publicly comment on the decision were none other than the captains of the Raiders, Derek Carr and Khalil Mack. They expressed their confused emotions regarding the decision, their love for the city of Oakland and their excitement for the future of the franchise.
Now that a few weeks have passed, players like offensive lineman Donald Penn have an outlet for comment on the situation. Penn made an appearance on the Fox Sports 1 network and was asked about the situation regarding the ongoing support. After hearing from the panelists, Penn stated that the Raiders fans have always and will continue to support the franchise, via Speak For Yourself’s Twitter account:
“Raider nation, we go to Tennessee, it’s an Oakland Raiders home game. We go to San Diego, it’s an Oakland Raiders home game. I’m not worried about the fans.”
Few players have ever complained about their time playing while at the Oakland Coliseum, as the die-hard fans provide one of the most electric atmospheres in sports. Fans have come to the realization that there are only two seasons left at the black hole, with the Oakland Coliseum already unlikely to sign a deal for the 2019 season.
Owner Mark Davis publicly stated his remorse for the city of Oakland and their fans during this process, but that it was necessary for the betterment of the franchise. The Las Vegas Stadium, which is expected to be ready for the 2020 season, has also already started taking deposits for season ticket holders.
The fans now have two final seasons to enjoy their beloved Raiders at their recent home, before the franchise relocates to their third city. These last two seasons will surely be filled with a lot of mixed emotions, as the Raiders try to secure the illustrious Super Bowl over this two-year span.
