My name is Tammy. Many people may not view me as the typical Las Vegas Raiders fan. Growing up in a small town in Hawaii, I watched Monday Night Football (MNF) with my dad. We did not have a favorite team, but watching MNF was one of the ways we bonded and felt closer to each other.
I moved from Hawaii to Reno, Nevada in September of 2001. Fast forward to 2002. I married a diehard Raiders fan and my journey to becoming a lifetime Raiders fan began.
My first professional football game experience was Monday Night Football (MNF) between the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets. While driving from Reno, NV to Oakland, CA, I envisioned what a MNF game would be like.
Walking through the parking lot and seeing the tailgate parties was a unique experience. It did not matter what nationality you were, whether you were a man, woman or child, young or old. All that mattered was we were all Raider fans. One family, one nation, Raider Nation.
Entering the Oakland Coliseum gave me chills. Going to our seats in the famous Black Hole was mesmerizing. From the pre-game festivities to the first snap to half-time to final whistle blowing to end the game, it was an experience like no other. It was electrifying and I was hooked. A new diehard Raider fan was born.
My husband was a season ticket holder before we got married. After my MNF experience, I became a season ticket holder too! We have been season ticket holders for the past twenty plus years and we will continue to be.