Paul Fannin
Well-Known Member
Not lost on any fan, the NFL season starts this Sunday evening from Canton, OH when the Raiders take on Philadelphia in the Hall of Fame game. Especially sweet is another Raider legend goes into the Hall of Fame with the induction of the great John Madden. Most people today know him as the premier TV analyst in the game, but a generation ago, he lumbered on the sidelines as one of the greatest coaches of all time, and witness to some of Pro Football's greatest games.
He joins Jim Otto, George Blanda, Willie Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, Gene Upshaw, Art Shell, Ted Hendricks, Mike Haynes, Dave Casper, Howie Long and Marcus Allen, and of course Al Davis as the 14 Raiders (who spent the majority of their careers with the Raiders) to be enshrined into Football immortality. The greatness of the Raiders is not only found in those names, but also in the great players who have not yet merited Hall of Fame status and those who won't despite illustrious careers. The names Tim Brown (who will be inducted someday), Dave Dalby, Kenny Stabler, Jim Plunkett, Cliff Branch, Ray Guy, Tom Flores, the "Mad Bomber" Daryl Lamonica, Jack Tatum, Lester Hayes, make the blood go warm and make me anticipate every NFL season. Then there are those who made their marks with other clubs but who affected the Raiders for good like Bob Chandler, Lyle Alzado, Rich Gannon, and the NFL's greatest player ever, Jerry Rice.
What a great and glorious history!
The Silver and Black have hoisted the flag of 16 Division titles, 21 playoff appearances in all, 5 AFL or AFC titles, and smashed through to 3 Super Bowl Championships. Many of the greatest games in NFL history were played by the Raiders; namely, the Heidi Bowl (vs. Jets, 1967), any number of games in the miracle season of Ol Man Blanda in 1970, the Immaculate Reception (a loss at Pittsburgh 1972 playoffs), the Sea of Hands (vs. Miami 1974 playoffs), the Ghost to the Post (at Baltimore 1977 playoffs), the Holy Roller (at San Diego 1978), the 2nd Ice Bowl (at Cleveland 1980 playoffs), Black Sunday (Super Bowl XVIII), and ugh, the Tuck (at New England 2001 playoffs). It's been said, you can love or hate the Raiders, but you want to watch them.
I can't wait. I think they're on the road back to greatness.
He joins Jim Otto, George Blanda, Willie Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, Gene Upshaw, Art Shell, Ted Hendricks, Mike Haynes, Dave Casper, Howie Long and Marcus Allen, and of course Al Davis as the 14 Raiders (who spent the majority of their careers with the Raiders) to be enshrined into Football immortality. The greatness of the Raiders is not only found in those names, but also in the great players who have not yet merited Hall of Fame status and those who won't despite illustrious careers. The names Tim Brown (who will be inducted someday), Dave Dalby, Kenny Stabler, Jim Plunkett, Cliff Branch, Ray Guy, Tom Flores, the "Mad Bomber" Daryl Lamonica, Jack Tatum, Lester Hayes, make the blood go warm and make me anticipate every NFL season. Then there are those who made their marks with other clubs but who affected the Raiders for good like Bob Chandler, Lyle Alzado, Rich Gannon, and the NFL's greatest player ever, Jerry Rice.
What a great and glorious history!
The Silver and Black have hoisted the flag of 16 Division titles, 21 playoff appearances in all, 5 AFL or AFC titles, and smashed through to 3 Super Bowl Championships. Many of the greatest games in NFL history were played by the Raiders; namely, the Heidi Bowl (vs. Jets, 1967), any number of games in the miracle season of Ol Man Blanda in 1970, the Immaculate Reception (a loss at Pittsburgh 1972 playoffs), the Sea of Hands (vs. Miami 1974 playoffs), the Ghost to the Post (at Baltimore 1977 playoffs), the Holy Roller (at San Diego 1978), the 2nd Ice Bowl (at Cleveland 1980 playoffs), Black Sunday (Super Bowl XVIII), and ugh, the Tuck (at New England 2001 playoffs). It's been said, you can love or hate the Raiders, but you want to watch them.
I can't wait. I think they're on the road back to greatness.
