Raider Nation



The Raider Nation is the unofficial name for the fans of the NFL's Oakland Raiders. They are usually associated with a section of the Oakland Coliseum known as the 'black hole' (sections 104, 105, 106, and 107) which is mostly occupied by rowdy fans. The origin of the name is obscure; certainly it was in vogue during the early 1980s, when Raider fans from the San Francisco Bay Area were forced to travel to Los Angeles or elsewhere to watch their team.

Why the Oakland Raiders would have such a dedicated fan base is not clear. The city's working-class background is cited, as is the influence of "outlaw" owner Al Davis. The team's aggressive style of play during the 1970s and 1980s, when the Raiders won their three Super Bowls, is also mentioned. Members of the Raider Nation take pride in their image.

The team's fans devotion is chronicled in "Better to Reign in Hell," a book written by San Diego English professors Jim Miller and Kelly Mayhew, who are also Raider fans.