The Silver and Black History of the Las Vegas Raiders

Since the Las Vegas Raiders became a football team in 1960, they have undergone several defining moments—some pleasant and some not quite. But whether winning or losing, they have managed to build a standing legacy of grit, rebellion, and resilience. Their die-hard “Raiders Nation” fans also never disappoint when it comes to representing the team. The Raiders are not strangers to championship titles as they have won three Super Bowls—something to make any fan super proud of. In this article, we drive down memory lane to highlight significant moments of the Raiders’ history that make them who they are today.

Commitment to Excellence

The Raiders were the last team of eight in the AFL when it started. Because of that, they were the last to select players, basically just settling for the remaining talents. Their initial 42-man roster consisted of 28 rookies and only 14 veterans. The roster problem, coupled with several other issues, culminated in them enduring a rather frustrating start to pro football.

Help came along after the 1962 season when the Raiders’ owner hired Al Davis as head coach and general manager. Davis was a breath of fresh air. He came in with an aggressive offensive strategy which he termed, “The Vertical Game.” Davis’ strategy worked wonders as the Raiders went from a 1-13 1962 record to finishing with 10-4 in 1963. Davis’ time there, however, was cut short as he left the Raiders to become the AFL commissioner in 1966.

In Davis’ absence, the team continued to improve and even went all the way to Super Bowl II where they fell to Vince Lombardi‘s Green Bay Packers. Following the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, Davis returned, but this time as one of the franchise’s owners. His “commitment to Excellence” philosophy was a major contributor to the team’s success as they recorded most of their best moments under his leadership.

The Dominant Years

The 1970s was an incredible decade for the Raiders. During that period, they won five consecutive division titles and participated in five AFC Championship Games. Hall of Fame head coach John Madden, who took the wheels in 1969 contributed significantly as he helped steer the team to glory. The Raiders’ defense of the 1970s was also a major contributor to the team’s success between 1972 and 1977.

The crunching hits of Safeties Jack Tatum and George Atkinson and cornerback Skip Thomas created an identity for the Raiders. They became a feared team and were basically one of the best in the league. During these years, the Raiders formed a bitter rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were also doing quite well at the time. The two teams were in a league of their own, clashing five times in the playoffs—three of which saw the winner go on to claim the Super Bowl.

The rivalry between the two 70s giants was fueled by the controversial “Immaculate Reception”—a play where Franco Harris made a miraculous catch that the Raiders insisted should have been ruled incomplete.

Super Bowl Champions

In 1976, the Raiders were on fire—and maybe a little merciless—as they crushed the Steelers in the season opener and sent Pittsburgh’s Lynn Swann crashing to the turf with a hit that was anything but friendly. But that had become their identity. They were brutal, relentless, and unapologetic. That was exactly what they needed to climb to the top. They again faced the Steelers in the AFC Championship but the result was even worse for Pittsburgh. In Super Bowl XI, the Raiders struck first, giving themselves a 16-0 lead by halftime. They forced the Minnesota Vikings into multiple turnovers and eventually won the game.

In the 1980 season, the Raiders returned to the Super Bowl after slipping past the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship. Although the Raiders had lost their star quarterback Ken Stabler to the Houston Oilers, it clearly wasn’t a problem. The passion of the players, who were ready to carve out their hearts for the team and the genius of head coach Tom Flores was enough to get them results. In Super Bowl XV, the Raiders dominated the Philadelphia Eagles, again giving themselves a comfortable early lead. They eventually came out victorious, winning their second Super Bowl. Revitalized quarterback Jim Plunkett was named MVP after an ingenious performance.

The Raiders relocated to Los Angeles in 1982 but their winning culture wasn’t affected one bit. The team progressed to the Super Bowl in the 1983 season after defeating the Steelers in the divisional round of the playoffs and the Seattle Seahawks in the AFC Championship. In the Super Bowl against the Redskins, the Raiders drew first blood and saw the game through to the end, winning their third Super Bowl. A record-breaking performance from Marcus Allen earned the legendary running back a Super Bowl MVP award.

Team Legacy

Apart from their Super Bowl championships, the Raiders have had plenty of games where they made a statement on their identity. One of those games was the 1974 divisional playoffs game dubbed “Sea of Hands.” Facing the two-time defending champion Miami Dolphins, the Raiders found themselves in a back-and-forth battle. With time running out and Oakland trailing, Stabler scrambled to avoid a sack and lofted a desperate pass into a crowd of defenders. Against all odds, Clarence Davis wrestled the ball away, securing a dramatic 28-26 victory.

A lack of adequate support in Los Angeles and stadium issues forced the Raiders to return to Oakland in 1995. In 2001, they felt hard done by a Tuck Rule decision that led to their defeat to the New England Patriots. But the following season, they came roaring back, riding quarterback Rich Gannon’s MVP-worthy brilliance all the way to Super Bowl XXXVII. They couldn’t overcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl, but their dominant run proved opponents still had to reckon with them.

Since they moved to Las Vegas though, they have only qualified for the playoffs once. But through the ups and downs, the Raiders remain one of the most iconic, feared, and influential franchises in football history.

Team Achievements

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