‘A dream come true.’ Derek Carr’s appreciation for Coliseum includes football, family
So many Raiders greats have played at RingCentral Coliseum, long known as Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, since it opened in 1966.
Tom Flores, Daryle Lamonica, George Blanda, Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett and Rich Gannon are quarterbacks who made history there.
So when former Fresno State star Derek Carr thinks about the last game in the Coliseum on Sunday, he thinks about that legacy.
“Just to put in perspective, like a little kid from Fresno, California, is playing somewhere where his dad’s favorite football team did,” Carr said this week.
“Like let’s be real about it, it’s pretty awesome. That was a dream come true. To be able to be here and play on the same field as all of those legends played on and to actually know some of those guys, talk to those guys, call those guys friends, like that’s kind of weird, but it is a really cool thing.”
Carr is in his sixth season with the Raiders and he’s seen highs and lows, including the 2016 season when he had a season-ending injury against the Indianapolis Colts. He said that memory will still be with him when the Coliseum closes its doors to the Raiders.
He also singled out Charles Woodson’s final game of an 18-game career, ending the 2015 season, as a highlight.
“There was some pretty cool memories that I have just of my own being on the team, but I think this one (last game) will rank right up there,” Carr said. “I expect it to be crazy and loud and all those kinds of things, so we’re going to go out there and give our best effort. I promise you that.”
Sunday’s 1:05 p.m. game against the Jacksonville Jaguars will be the second time the Raiders will bid farewell to Oakland. After last season’s Christmas Eve game against the Denver Broncos (when it appeared the Raiders wouldn’t be back), Carr ran around the stadium giving fans high-fives.
Raiders fans’ love goes beyond playing days
Phillip Buchanon played three seasons with the Raiders after he was drafted 17th overall in 2002.
In his first career start, he had an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown and an interception in a 52-25 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
“Playing in the Coliseum was cool with the Black Hole vibe,” he told The Bee. “In my first start as a Raider in the Coliseum, I vividly remember the raucous fans roaring, cheering and hitting that mat-slash-wall which motivated me.
“When the Tennessee Titans punted, I felt invincible. I will never forget the support, encouragement and love of the Raider fans and my amazing experiences playing in the Coliseum.”
Buchanon moved on from his 10-year NFL career to film, TV and entertainment projects but says even now, he gets support from Raiders fans.
This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 9:56 AM.
