Raider Fans Gearing Up For the New Season

By Barbara Mason 4/30/08
Raiderdrive.com/Bay Area Sports Magazine
(Click Photos to view as a larger image)

While the NFL draft is one of those magical days that football fans everywhere look forward to, bay area fans have one up on a lot of them.  How is that you might ask?  Well the Bay Area, San Leandro to be exact, is the home of one of the biggest and most exciting draft parties on the west coast.  If you have not heard of or been to Ricky’s Sports Bar and Grill you just don’t know what you are missing be it draft day or any other day of the year.  Two of the nicest people on the planet own and operate Ricky’s, Ricky Ricardo and his wife Tina. 

Every year on draft day you will find Ricky cooking up a killer bar-be-que alongside wife Tina serving up the brewskies to thirsty fans.  This year was no exception and the event was as always a major success.  Nearly 500 fans mingled in the parking lot under blue skies enjoying a toasty 90+ degree temperature reading.  It was a fun- filled day with live music, and those lovely ladies of the NFL the Raiderettes, were on hand to celebrate with the fans. A number of the Raiders also joined the festivities including fan favorite Jarrod Cooper along with Will Buchanon, Drisan James, Oren O’Neal and Hiram Eugene. They gave selflessly signing autographs for nearly two hours, and it became very obvious that they were enjoying the day every bit as much as their fans. 

There was of course the collection of Raider game day gear as fans looked as if they were on their way to the Coliseum.  They came from all over the state to celebrate what has come to be the unofficial start of another year of football.  Although Napa is three months away a lot of work will transpire prior to the start of camp. 

The icing on the cake was the attendance of Raiders from the glory years.  The personable Jim Otto and Morris Bradshaw mingled with those that supported them for years. Fans continue to remember every play, every game, wins and losses, and their love and respect for these guys is apparent as they addressed them as Mr. Otto and Mr. Bradshaw.

It was another event for the ages that grows bigger and better with each passing year.  Many thanks go to the booster clubs specifically the Riverside club that chaired this year’s event.  They all gave so selflessly to ensure the success of this year’s bash.  It goes without saying that this event would have been impossible without Ricky’s Bar and Grill and Ricky and Tina’s gracious hospitality. 

With draft day now behind us, the hard work begins in earnest and the fun and games cease.  While few of the fans were willing to predict the season as they had in year’s past, they are cautiously optimistic.  The one thing that has never changed, and will never change is their loyalty and love for their team.  They are the Raider Nation and nothing more needs to be said.  That says it all!