January 11th, 1981, was a day etched in the annals of my memory......

In the days leading up to the game, my grandmother and I engaged in spirited debates about the outcome. You see, my grandmother was a die-hard Chargers fan, and even in those formative years, I was a Raider faithful through and through. Our living room became a battleground for football allegiances, with good-natured banter filling the air.

My grandmother’s support for the Chargers ran deep, and she went the extra mile to express it. On January 10th, my birthday, she presented me with a cake adorned with a Chargers helmet, a cheeky attempt to convert me to the Chargers. Her favorite player was the legendary Dan Fouts, whom she thought was not only an exceptional quarterback but also incredibly good-looking, thanks to his signature beard.

Despite her best efforts, I remained unwavering in my allegiance to the Silver and Black. My favorite players back then were Mark van Eeghen and Kenny King. Their physical prowess on the field and their dedication to the Raiders resonated with me. Alongside them, the Raiders boasted a roster of remarkable talents under the guidance of the great Tom Flores. From the iconic Lester Hayes to the indomitable Jim Plunkett, from Cliff Branch’s lightning speed to the warrior spirit of Rob Martin, the Raiders were a team like no other.

As the Raider-Charger showdown approached, the anticipation and tension between my grandmother and me reached a crescendo. We weren’t just watching a football game; we were defending our football honor, each convinced that our team would emerge victorious. It was a family rivalry rooted in love, and I cherished every moment of it. The game itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I vividly recall the intensity of that day. 

Back then, I would sit in the L.A. Coliseum, enjoying the games from the west end zone. It was a different time, a simpler time. I remember one particular play like it was yesterday. Vann McElroy, a defensive back for the Raiders, delivered a thunderous hit on the Chargers’ Lionel James. It was a bone-jarring collision that sent shockwaves through the stadium, and I cheered as if I were right there on the field.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself miles away from the Coliseum, in Angola, IN, where I will watch the Raiders play from my garage while shooting some pool. Today they will take on the Chargers as the memories flood my mind. Though the teams are not playing for a spot in the Super Bowl, but for the pride of Los Angeles hung in the balance. The game has changed, and so has the way I watch it, but the spirit remains the same. In my heart, I know that my grandmother is there with me in spirit, sharing in the excitement and memories that football has brought into our lives.

Football has a remarkable way of weaving memories into the fabric of our lives. Each game watched, each play witnessed, becomes a chapter in the story of our existence. As I reflect on those bygone days, I realize just how integral Raider football has been to my life. It has been a constant presence, a source of solace and joy during turbulent times.

Even as an adult, the Raiders have remained my point of focus. When they played, I knew I was real, and all the memories that came with it were real. They are a testament to the enduring power of sports to connect generations, to create lasting memories, and to bring families together, even in spirited rivalry.

So, as I will sit in my garage, and watch the Raiders play, I can’t help but smile and think of my birthday, the playful arguments with my grandmother, and the cherished moments we shared. It’s a reminder that, in the end, it’s not just about football; it’s about the bonds we forge, the memories we create, and the love that unites us, whether we wear silver and black of the Raiders or the lightning bolt of the Chargers.

As a final note of this blog, I love you Grandma. I think about you every day. You are one of the greatest women I have ever known. “Hey Grandma, you were right, it will be alright.”

Blessed be, God Bless, and Peace. Deuces!