"Raider Man" Remembered
Several weeks ago, I wrote about Larry Gamez, a loyal Raiders fan who was killed by a stray bullet. I never met Larry, but those who knew him well, the Raider Raza, have paid eloquent tribute to him (and the Raider Nation), which I copy here to help spread the word:
“Larry was known in the Black Hole as Raider Man and many fans have shook his hand, took pictures with him and rooted for the Raiders with him. His passion was dressing up and coming to the Raider games. Unfortunately, Larry had a mental disorder that prevented him from being accepted in mainstream society, but here in the Raider Nation he felt free, adored and accepted. I think it says a lot about the Raider Nation to embrace someone unconditionally with love and camaraderie…The media like to talk s*** about the Raider fans but they don’t mention that the Raider games are full of camaraderie, passion, and friends. I challenge anyone who has heard the media B.S. to put on a black jersey and come to a game and see how many friends you make. RIP Larry you will be missed...”
Please visit the Raider Raza web site for information and photos.
“Larry was known in the Black Hole as Raider Man and many fans have shook his hand, took pictures with him and rooted for the Raiders with him. His passion was dressing up and coming to the Raider games. Unfortunately, Larry had a mental disorder that prevented him from being accepted in mainstream society, but here in the Raider Nation he felt free, adored and accepted. I think it says a lot about the Raider Nation to embrace someone unconditionally with love and camaraderie…The media like to talk s*** about the Raider fans but they don’t mention that the Raider games are full of camaraderie, passion, and friends. I challenge anyone who has heard the media B.S. to put on a black jersey and come to a game and see how many friends you make. RIP Larry you will be missed...”
Please visit the Raider Raza web site for information and photos.
posted by Raider Take at 1:46 AM
7 Comments:
Been to Raider games all over the country like all of us have. three things you can always get from a brother in the Nation--a cold beer, hot food and tales of days gone by. It doesn't get any better
I came late to a game one time (rreseason)
and i offered like ten people to buy a beer from them and they all refused
and insisted that i take a beer. Needless to say i got free beer and bbq. I love raider nation.
Anyone have any good pics of Larry in full Raider regalia? I only saw the one at Raider Raza and it's wasn't that good of a shot.
Good call, Doobie...I'm looking into it. As soon as I get it, I will post it to this take.
It's Raider Nation sh*t like this that makes me wish I lived in the bay area. The one time I did a business trip to SF, it was in 1998 and they were on the road playing the Cardinals.
So as it stands, I'm stuck here in the central Jersey area and, to top it all off, I had to miss BOTH Eagles and Jets games this year.
Whether you are at the House of Thrills with 60,000+ loyalists or at your local pub amongst 6 other Silver and Black enthusiasts, there is a sense of comraderie and passion shared by all. This connection and common bond is priceless.
Larry's story highlights 1 significant point - If you are a "card carrying" member of the Raider Nation, no one judges you by the color of your skin or what you do for a living.
It is a shame that the media paints the Raider Nation with broad brush strokes as gang-bangers and thugs when in actuality the fan base is a unique slice of Americana - a diverse group from all walks of life from all over the country with one shared interest - the Silver and Black.
Check out 'in defense of the indefensible' on raiderfans.com. It's a good take on continuity of the head coach. If I had to choose between Norv and Collins I would keep Norv. Despite the O-line woes, Collins does not get to the right play at the line [Gannon with this line would have been more than adequate]. So maybe with a change a QB and a line change or two....can't believe I'm considering going there. Take two--can't believe Bailey made pro bowl again...it says here he "reinjures ankle and return is doubtful" after giving up TD to JP in first quarter Saturday....
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