The Raider "Nation"
Why is it called the Raider Nation? This is an interesting question that has a simple answer. It is called the Raider Nation because the Raiders have fans all over the world. They are one of the few teams in the NFL whose fans aren't limited to one specific region. Personally, I am from the midwest and around here people are primarily Vikings, Packers, Cheifs and Broncos fans but just about any where you go, you will see or meet at least one Raiders fan. It is this way every where across the country and even internationally now.
Lately, a lot of other teams have stolen the "nation" term from the Raiders. The most common recent occurrence is the Steelers Nation. When I first read the linked article, I thought they mistook the Steelers for the Raiders. Once the Steeler's lose their Championship hype, they won't have the regional bandwagon fans and will lose a large part of the Steeler "region".
The theft of the term isn't limited to defending champions. Our own hated divisional rivals, the Denver Broncos, have a website called The Bronco Nation. This is probably even more pathetic than the Steelers stealing the term. The Broncos are far from being a nation. If you leave Colorado and the surrounding region, you'll have a hard time finding Broncos fans. The Brokeback Broncos will never be a nation, they weren't even after winning their Super Bowls.
The only other teams with a nation-wide fan base are probably the Cowboys and the Patriots. The Patriots is most likely due to their recent success and will fade away but the Cowboys are one of the only other teams in the NFL that could probably use the term and get away with it. Yet, when you do a google search for "The Cowboy Nation," nothing comes up pertaining to Dallas stealing the term. It's because they don't steal the term and have their own ways of marketing to a nation-wide fan base.
As Raider fans, it may disgust us to see all these "pretender nations" but maybe we should view it as an honor. The pretenders can't think up their own catch phrases so they steal one from the phrase master himself, Al Davis. I guess that is the way the world works.
If you want to look, what other NFL teams can you find stealing the "Nation"?
Lately, a lot of other teams have stolen the "nation" term from the Raiders. The most common recent occurrence is the Steelers Nation. When I first read the linked article, I thought they mistook the Steelers for the Raiders. Once the Steeler's lose their Championship hype, they won't have the regional bandwagon fans and will lose a large part of the Steeler "region".
The theft of the term isn't limited to defending champions. Our own hated divisional rivals, the Denver Broncos, have a website called The Bronco Nation. This is probably even more pathetic than the Steelers stealing the term. The Broncos are far from being a nation. If you leave Colorado and the surrounding region, you'll have a hard time finding Broncos fans. The Brokeback Broncos will never be a nation, they weren't even after winning their Super Bowls.
The only other teams with a nation-wide fan base are probably the Cowboys and the Patriots. The Patriots is most likely due to their recent success and will fade away but the Cowboys are one of the only other teams in the NFL that could probably use the term and get away with it. Yet, when you do a google search for "The Cowboy Nation," nothing comes up pertaining to Dallas stealing the term. It's because they don't steal the term and have their own ways of marketing to a nation-wide fan base.
As Raider fans, it may disgust us to see all these "pretender nations" but maybe we should view it as an honor. The pretenders can't think up their own catch phrases so they steal one from the phrase master himself, Al Davis. I guess that is the way the world works.
If you want to look, what other NFL teams can you find stealing the "Nation"?
posted by The Analyzer at 7:30 AM
34 Comments:
I found this forum with a Charger's fan referring to the "Charger nation"
Charger Nation"
At least in the Bay Area, J.T. the Brick coined the term "Niner Empire" for the fan base of our across-Bay rivals.
-Blandafan
It's nice when teams actually think up their own phrases.
Kind of like the Seahawks being unoriginal and using the twelth man thing, although they are the only NFL team to really do it.
Here's another one:
Patriots Nation
This was all I found about them referencing the Nation term. It's not quite as bad as most of the Pretenders.
"Do you run or are you a member of a Patriots fan club? We know you're out there, tell us who you are. Then, we'll help you tell other people in your area how to
join your club. Check out the new Patriots Fan Club Registry and register your club on Patriots.com for the rest of Patriots Nation to see."
Hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The Raiders must have started a good thing with the "Nation" concept, which is why other teams have copied it. That doesn't take away the fact that the Radiers started it.
I do have to disagree with you, though, about the regional thing. Even before the Steelers won this post Super Bowl, I have not ever gone anywhere without meeting at least one Steelers fan. That includes EVERY part of the United States (even Alaska!). Steelers fans are everywhere!
So what if other teams copy it?
I see your point but to say something that is true about another team, like the article says, actually takes something away from the other team. Nation is getting to be used by people for just about every team and it will lose it's meaning.
Your post is almost amusing. To think that you actually think that “NATION” is a phrase coined by one single team. Its kinda cute. I think I saw some small midwest town put "Hartsburg-Pumpkin Nation" as thier town slogan. Might want to send them an email too huh? Raider Phrase stealing bastards!...lol. Just to correct you on some issues. You say it is hard to find a Bronco fan in the “NATION” other than in Colorado. False. However if you may not see too many of us in your neck of the woods. This is not for the lack of a wide fan base, but for the fact that the Broncos have caused so many end of season disappointments for the fan base of the states in question. You wont find a Chiefs fan in Colorado or a Raiders fan in Colorado that would dare show himself in a public place due to the laughs and public beatings he/she may get. Same for finding a Bronco fan in KC or Oakland...er LA...er Oakland now I guess...lol. Seems “Raider Nation” stands for more than a fan base...it seems that it may be for the fact that they seem to move around so much, thus creating a wider fan base. One way to do that I guess. It sure is not for their “Juggernaut” performances in the last 10 years...lol.. I will agree with one of your silly ideas..to a point...You say there are Raider fans everywhere. True I guess. I was one too at the age of 4. You may ask yourself why. After all, I lived in a rival state! It seems the cool pirate head and the black and white colors are enough to get kids to like a team that reminds them so much of Halloween. If you are pre teen, non football savy individual and you like Halloween ... you pick the Raiders....That’s a fact bud. A funny fact true, but a fact none the less. Bronco Nation is strong and far reaching. For football reasons. The Raiders...for their cool pirate face kiddy uniforms...or should I say their fans costumes. Their past 10 years has been a dismal to say the least. But hey, who am I....you go on believing in your team.
My prediction for your RAIDER NATION next year....5-11 at best. That is being nice. That is one more win than last year...lol. Hey maybe you can call Rice back and get X Bronco Romo back for some help...lol. Better call Balco for some help. Romo's got the number Im sure.
You silly little man.
God bless.
One of my best friends is a Raiders fan from Denver. I live in SD and I only know one real Broncos fan and he is originally from Denver as well.
The Broncos aren't even close to being a nation.
The reason I felt the term was misused is because they refer to a region rather than a nation, I not saying you can't call the US a nation, I'm saying the Raiders a nation-wide team, always have been and always will be. Other teams have their days in the sun, but they are short-lived
Denver is actualy correct. The term Nation is not reserved for Raider fans only. You can google just about ANY sports team: Football, hockey, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, golf, little league sports, high school sports, bowling, badminton, chess, boy scouts, girl scouts, WWF, WCW, boxing, UFC, poker...etc...etc...etc. There is almost a nation for each thing! Did they rip it from the raiders...I think not. I do believe however that your belief in the raiders so called nation wide fan base is a bit biased. I live in LA and there are more than enough #7 and #30 jerseys walking the streets in Blue and Orange...trust me.
Hey now...don’t scare the guy! Hey analyzer, don't worry. Anonymous: Im sure that the Bronco fans you have seen are actually the same 1 guy that lives in SD that used to live in Denver. He just travels a bunch and changes jerseys hourly. I think I may have seen him in an airport in Puerto Rico too on my honey moon. I spoke with him cuz it was cool to see a Bronco fan in a place other than the U.S. Most definitely the same guy Analyzer speaks of.
probably is.
Just to get you two straight. The Raiders are not known as "Raider Nation" by anyone other than the not so "nation" wide fan base. I sell Real Estate in many cities and am a die hard football fan in general. I don't see many Raiders jerseys or fans in any city I have visited in the past 5 years other than in 1992 when amazingly enough, more where seen in the areas near the state they hail from. As far as the Broncos, they are a proven AFC front runner almost every year since the 80's and have dominated the Raiders in home and away games in the past 10 years hands down, many times stopping the Raiders from having any playoff hopes at all. Fact. Check the stats there Gayder fan. Second to the Broncos are the KC Chiefs and way down at the bottom is the 1992 technicality. You both need to realize that neither of your teams stands a chance for my GB Cheese Head Nation! The Broncos have my respect for the effort in the Super Bowl, I will give them that, but that was not supposed to happen. As for the Raiders: The team is a self proclaimed tough team that just has not been a proven entity. They only were good in the early days due to the refs lax calling. Trust me, you cant win in the future of NFL by biting the opposition or gouging eyes. That’s not football. The "SCARY" Black Hole is not so scary anymore, haven’t been for decades...wont ever be again. Teams look forward to playing them. Helps pad their stats. Check the sports mags guys...Raiders...dead last in the AFC mock season. Broncos...picked first in their division. Surprise surprise. Been the same for years. Will be for years to come. The Raiders can’t even pull out many home wins anymore. The fans costumes are getting funnier by the year. The true nation is the Pack. You cant hack the cold weather here in my ice box...true football weather. None of this sissy stuff you play in.
Check your facts and Analyze that.
GO CHEESE HEAD NATION!!!
Quick fun fact for ya two...
Winning seasons in the last 10 years:
Raiders: 3
Broncos: 8
Playoff/Championship appearances in the last decade:
Raiders: 3
Broncos: 7
Super Bowl Appearences in the last 10 years:
Raiders: 1
Broncos: 2
Super Bowl wins in the last decade:
Raiders: 0
Broncos: 2
Team Finishing in 1st and 2nd place in division in the last decade:
Raiders: 4
Broncos: 8
Nuff said.
Oh...sorry one more stat.
Last 10 years Vs. each other win record:
Raiders: 5
Broncos: 15
Now nuff said...lol
You're comparing the best year's in Denver's history to the Raiders worst. Extend it out a little further and see what you find.
The Broncos have only won 2 Super Bowls. It is convenient that that happens to be within your comparison range.
Here are some facts for you!
Raiders All-time record vs. Broncos
53-36-2 .582
Hall of Famers that played majority of time for the Team
Oakland
-Marcus Allen
-Fred Biletnikoff
-George Blanda
-Willie Brown
-Dave Casper
-Al Davis
-Mike Haynes
-Ted Hendricks
-Howie Long
-John Madden
-Jim Otto
-Art Shell
-Gene Upshaw
Denver
-John Elway
Super Bowl wins
Oakland 3
Denver 2
Corrections to your stats bud:
1. Allen: LA for most of his career? Yes. However only broke 1000 rushing yds 3 times...1983-85. Odd fact...Made it clear he wanted to retire as a...CHIEF? Hmmm....
2. Blanda: Played most of his years as a Bear, so your numbers are off on him. His numbers dropped as of 1967 when he joined Oakland.
3. Willie Brown: (ready for this?) Started his career with none other than your hated Denver Broncos from 63 to 66 where he tied an all-time interception individual record, won All-AFL honors, and played in his first AFL All-Star game, where he was named the outstanding defensive player. Its funny that you would even mention a guy who got his skills honed by the team you are trying to make look bad...lol. Should have rethought that one eh? I feel your pain on that one!
4. Al Davis???: Don’t mean to burst your bubble but he was not even a player there big guy! LOL...he got his honors as the only person to have served pro football in such varied capacities as (1) a player personnel assistant, (2) an assistant coach, (3) a head coach, (4) a general manager, (5) a league commissioner and (6) the principal owner and chief executive officer of an NFL team.....uh...who exactly cares about this???
5. Mike Haynes: Do you even know your own team??? He split his career in half playing 7 for New England and 7 for LA. Here is a stat for you. His best years where in NE! Look him up!
6. Madden: Lets face it, he was known for coaching, cool video games, and BOOM tough acting tenactin...not for playing. Madden started on both offense and defense as a player for California Polytechnic College at San Luis Obispo in 1957 and 1958, and was voted to the All-Conference team. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him as a future choice in the 21st round of the 1958 NFL Draft, but a knee injury in his rookie season prematurely ended his playing career. If you want to count a coach fine...lol.
As for the others...Upshaw Shell Otto Long Hendricks Casper and Biletnikoff. Only one was in the NFL less that 20 years ago...Long. The others 81, 82, 74, 83, 84, and 78! Good in their time...yes, but come on that was over 20 years ago!! 2 of them nearly 30 years ago! That’s like comparing boxings Ali to our top fighters today. Not to take anything from Ali. He was the best in his time and was feared by all of boxing. However you know he would get the spit knocked out of him today.
As for the Broncos:
You know as well as I do that there are some heading for the hall of fame from the past decade, and their numbers are stellar. Look em up.
In conclusion: Your team has not been to a Super Bowl in over 20 years there pal. I would rather have a great team now than wet dreams of a team 30 years ago. Hell Im only 30. Do you think I should care about a great football team of the 60's and 70's?? Get off the old Raiders and try to find something good to talk about in the past 20 years for your team. That is hard to do I know but there are some things Im sure.
Wow did I start a war here...lol. Seems there are more Bronco fans out there somewhere.
I do have to come to analyzers defense on some issues. Al Davis needs to be respected for his accomplishments. M. Allen was a stud, and you do have some other inaccuracies in your post there anonymous. However I do appreciate everyone’s posts on the matter.
Here is my opinion for what it is worth. The Broncos are my fave team. Have been since I was a young boy. I HAVE seen many Bronco fans in many other states contrary to analyzers opinion. Elway is more than just a typical hall of famer...he has transcended to legend status, which most of those in the HOF will not and only 1 of his HOF’ers has. I agree that some of my Broncos from the past 20 years will obviously be in the HOF some day. All stats point to yes.
The Raiders hate the Broncos, the Broncos hate the Raiders, And both hate the Chiefs and the Chiefs hate us. That is what makes these games so great! Not because the other "sucks" but because there is an obvious clash of skills year to year.
I do however have to restate the fact that I came here for in the first place. Nation is not intended for Raider fans only. It has been what Raider fans have coined themselves but other team fans do not, have not, and will not recognize that. We are a Bronco Nation and if that offends...thats too bad. We grow year by year as the Bronx seasons continue to be a success. Good luck with all the fuss you started analyzer..lol. Good luck to your team this year.
Denver, you are a gentleman and a scholar. There should be more football fans out there like you. You are the difference between the fan in the crowd cheering for their team and sad when they lose, and the one that goes for the tailgating, beer, and makes a fool of himself spitting all over the people in front of him on any call against his own team, raining obscenities right and left amongst women and children at the game. You can find that moron passed out in his on vomit with his Darth Vader shirt pulled over his head and blood coming out of his nose at the end of EVERY game. Football would be what it was when I was a kid again if the seats where filled by people like you sir. Good post.
This may be the start of the decline of the Broncos. This might be one of their worst RB cores in years and if Plummer struggles at all, their will be a QB controversy. They could still be solid but they have more potential to tank than they've had in recent years.
Lets look at some more recent facts...not 20 years ago...How about THIS decade, the 2000's, since we are more than halfway to 2010.....
2000
OAK 12-4 won division, won divisional playoff 27-0 and advance to championship game
DEN 11-5 lost wild card game 21-3
2001
OAK 10-6 Won division, win wildcard game 38-24, get snow jobbed in div. playoff
DEN 8-8 did not make playoffs
2002
OAK 11-5 Won division (again!) win div playoff 30-10, win afc championchip 41-24, advance to superbowl
DEN 9-7 did not make playoffs(again)
2003
OAK 4-12 (callahan mutiny)
DEN 10-6 did NOT win division, lost Wildcard game 41-10 (ouch!)
2004
OAK 5-11 (got norved)
DEN 10-6 did NOT win division, lost wild card game 49-24 (ooh that stings...)
2005
OAK 5-11, (norved again)
DEN 11-5 win division, advance to Championship game and get Jaked
2006????? NOBODY knows
So lets recap...in the New Millenium:
RAIDERS
Win division 3 times
2 div playoff game appearance, 1 win
2 championship game appearance, 1 win
1 super bowl appearance
Denver
won division 1 time 2005
1 championship game, loss
did not make playoffs 2 times
lost 3 wild card games by a combined score of 101-37 (ugh)
So many people like to pretend 2000-2002 never happened. But the further back you go the Raiders will still have championship and superbowl victories. In a game where one year you are in the superbowl, and the next you are 4-12, that is the closest thing to consistency you can have. At least the Raiders showed up for our recent playoff games.
i found the Panthers Nation. ha.
Simple math Anon...you stated "This Decade". If you are talking about after 2000, well then you have to wait till 2010 to make any accurate statement about the Post Millenium now dont you. If you are talking about the last decade, (decade by definition is the last 10 years moron) then 96, 97 and 98 count too now dont they??
Correction to your stats:
96: Broncos 1st in Div
97: Won Superbowl
98: 1st in Div and Won Superbowl
Lets not forget the goal in the NFL...The Big Game in January. Your team has not won since 1983 and that my friend IS over 20 years ago.
Ouch.
Oh and your record since 03...4-12, 5-11, 4-12.
Broncos 10-6, 10-6, 13-3.
Its just simple math folks.
Its all about "FACT" and "OPINNION". Example:
The Broncos are the best team in the NFL: Opinnion.
The Raiders are the best team in the NFL: Opinnion.
The Broncos are a better team than the Raiders since 1984: Fact
The Raiders have been to the big game 4 times since 1960 3 prior to 1984 and have not won one since 1983: Fact
The Broncos have been to the big game 6 times since 1960 and 5 of the 6 after 1984 and have won 2 in the last decade: Fact
You all can say what you want but so far you are avoiding the facts.
The Broncos, for the last 22 years are the better team and show no sings of slowing (though this year is surely in question I agree). "FACT"
The Raiders day came prior to 1984 and they have not been a great team since. "FACT"
The Raiders will someday be in the Super Bowl again? Probably
The Broncos will someday be in the Super Bowl again? Probably
But those are the facts guys. Like it or not.
GO BEARS!
Wow it must really hurt to remember your teams recent woes, to resort to name calling. I notice you don't dispute any facts, except yes I gave us an extra win, a typo, my bad. My point is you can pull out your soundgarden and Nirvana, if you want to remember the 90s, but that century is over. The goal in the NFL IS the big game which is why I point out your sorry record in the playoffs. Enjoy the offseason you angry little man. Was that a Honda Element that just hit me?
And yes I realize the 90's are not a century, what I am saying is we are in the 2000's, and the Team of the Decades will win another SB this decade 2000-2010. That's my Opinion. If you do want to reminice about the 90's, I prefer 1993, when the Raiders beat the broncos the last game of the season and also in the wild card game the next week. Once again, enjoy your first division title in the last 7 years, and the offseason.
As for the RAIDER NATION take, you all should read this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raider_nation
Out
Nyah nyah. I'm rubber and you're glue ...
This is getting silly. My team is better than your team from 19whatever to 20whatever, in games played on alternate Tuesdays, under a full moon, when Venus is rising and ...
Is this some desperate attempt at personal validation by citing random statistics? If the Raiders won 3 Super Bowls and the Broncos 2, but the Raiders sucked under Norv Turner while the Broncos made the playoffs ... does that mean you love your team any more or less?
We love our teams and our fellow fans. When the game is on, anyone in a Bronco jersey in my section will have some funny-ass jokes hurled his way, and when the game is over I'll shake his hand.
Can the same be said for Broncos fans? Not sure, but at our tailgate we collected donations for that Bronco fan who used to go to games dressed in a barrel (sorry, no offense intended, but I can't remember his name). The famous fan was a friend of our own Hall of Fans members, and had fallen ill.
The fans who bleed silver and black and donated their hard-earned money to help someone who bleeds blue and orange are hardcore Raider Nation, a nation big enough to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate (and misguided). Pride and Poise, baby.
And, to bring this back to the original topic of the posting, were the Red Sox fans called Red Sox Nation before the Raiders' recent success? Personally I'd prefer that lazy sportswriters come up with something more original than "(insert team name here) Nation."
Tokai Japan Outpost
Raider Nation
A lot of people seem to forget we were in a Super Bowl in the last 5 years and we dominated the division at the turn of the century.
Anon...you hit it on the head!
I quote from anons earlier post:
Its all about "FACT" and "OPINNION". Example:
The Broncos are the best team in the NFL: Opinnion.
The Raiders are the best team in the NFL: Opinnion.
The Broncos are a better team than the Raiders since 1984: Fact
The Raiders have been to the big game 4 times since 1960 3 prior to 1984 and have not won one since 1983: Fact
The Broncos have been to the big game 6 times since 1960 and 5 of the 6 after 1984 and have won 2 in the last decade: Fact
No one can deny that...say what you want but that is all true.
You need to be on that show "I remember the 70's" cuz that is the last time the Raiders had a chance. They are realy bad. Not like cool bad, but like 2-A high school bad.
If you leave Colorado and the surrounding region, you'll have a hard time finding Broncos fans. The Brokeback Broncos will never be a nation, they weren't even after winning their Super Bowls.
amusing considering I'm the owner of The Bronco Nation and live on the East Coast...
Such a silly thread of uninformed postings. Doesn't anyone here know that the original is "Red Sox Nation", a phrase coined by Boston Globe writer Nathan Cobb, from an October 20, 1986 column?
All the rest of you are followers.
Long live the tuck rule!
According to Wikipedia, the Steelers using the term Steeler Nation pre-dated the Raiders doing the same. However, it seems as though 'nation' has been utilized to a greater extent by Raider's fans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Pittsburgh_Steelers
Thats rite....STEELERS ARE EVERYWHERE!!
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