Oakland Raiders legends sound off on move to Las Vegas

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Excepts from interviews with several prominent former Raiders players about the franchise receiving a vote to approve a move to Las Vegas in 2020:

General reaction

Jim Otto (1960-74)

“I don’t think anything is done until it’s done. That’s kind of where I’m at right now. Maybe that’s wishful thinking. That’s what my wife Sally says.”

Tom Flores (1960-71, 1963-66, head coach 1979-87):

“I’ve always felt the Raiders belonged in Oakland. I know this is a long shot, but this doesn’t mean they have to move for sure. You almost wish it was a nightmare, where you wake up from your dream and you’re back in the 1970s and early 1980s.”

Jim Plunkett (1978-86):

“I’m torn. In my opinion the Raiders belong, if not in Oakland, than the Bay Area. They’ve got terrific fans. On the other hand, Oakland does not have any money and has not worked well with either the Raiders or the league to get a stadium. I personally want them to stay.”

Rich Gannon (1999-2004):

“I’m disappointed for the Raider fans. I know how hard Mark Davis worked to keep the team in Oakland. This isn’t something that’s just been going on for the last two or three years. They’ve been working at this for a long time.”

Kirk Morrison: 2005-2009:

“My first thought was this is the business of the NFL. I think if I had not played in the NFL I’d take it a different way. I know the way this thing works. I know the kind of body armor you have to wear. There are no hard feelings. You can get cut, released or traded and the one thing you have to understand is the league will keep on going.”

Tim Brown (1988-2003):

“My phrase of the day is it’s a happy-sad day. It’s great for the Raiders, sad that the city of Oakland couldn’t or wouldn’t come up with the money for this deal. There’s going to be a lot of sad people, including some in the organization. At the same time, it’s time to start looking forward.”

Cliff Branch (1972-85):

“I’m happy for the Raiders to get a stadium deal. Mark Davis put a lot of work into this. The city of Las Vegas had open arms from Day 1. I’m sure the fans wish they could have gotten something done with Oakland, but when you don’t even try, then Vegas comes aboard, and then the city wants to get something done . . .”

George Buehler (1969-78):

“It’s got to be heartbreaking for the Raider fans. They’re some of the most loyal in the world. Their stadium is in a wonderful place, a freeway right there. I guess it comes down to money and I’m sorry they couldn’t get something worked out.

Art Thoms (1969-76):

“The Raiders started in Oakland and belonged in Oakland. But the Nevada governor and and legislature put their money where their mouth is, and Oakland didn’t really do that.”

Phil Villapiano: (1971-79):

“I’m thinking there is a lot more work to get done before they get out of town. I don’t think the city of Oakland is just going to lay down and let ’em leave. We’ve got a bunch of powerful people out there. It’s almost like Donald Trump-Hillary thing. The silent majority spoke and we got the right person in office. I think the silent majority is going to rise to the top and we’re going to keep the Raiders in Oakland where they are.”

George Atkinson: (1968-77):

“The Raiders didn’t want to leave. I know for a fact Mark tried everything in his power to stay in Oakland. You’ve got to do what’s best for your business and that’s what he did. He got a stadium and now he’s on a level playing field with the rest of the owners.”

How Bay Area fans will react

Morrison: “Every year I buy my dad season tickets for his birthday. I asked him today if he wanted to renew or not. He said, `You know what? I’m always going to be a Raider fan. So renew ’em.’ I think that’s going to be the feelings of a lot of people. Being a Raider fan, it’s not just cheering for your team on Sunday. It’s a mentality, it’s a way of life. It’s the way you walk, the way you talk.”

Plunkett: “In 1981, the year before we moved to Los Angeles, we had a tough year. Knowing that we were going to move the next year, the loyal fans kept coming to the games but we lost a lot of fans during that period. But after that a lot of them got back on board and supported us.”

Flores: “We had just won the Super Bowl. Some of our guys got old. Upshaw and Shell were struggling. We didn’t have a very good year and won seven games. But Raider fans are unusual. They’ll be mad at them, but still love them.”

Branch: “Raider fans are very loyal. They’re going to support the team wherever they are.”

Gannon: “It’s really simple. It all depends on the product on the field. They’ve got a good, young quarterback and as long as they’re winning, people will still support this team.”

Buehler: “I wouldn’t think they’d be terribly enthusiastic. I know a lot of ticket-holders back when I was playing who gave up on the Raiders when they left, and then when they came back, wouldn’t buy anything.”

Thoms: “I imagine there are going to be people who are mad and will boycott. I don’t know what percentage you put that at. Twenty five percent? Thirty? But winning cures anything.”

Brown: I’m sure there’s going to be some angry fans. But at the same time, if you understand what the organization is trying to do — even (Commissioner) Goodell rejected the last deal — I don’t know what else the team could have done.”

Villapiano: “I think it’s going to be very strange. I would see some people refusing to go (to games). The (Raider) Nation is very strong, but that’s a real slap in the face in terms of money and loyalty when there’s nothing in return.”

Atkinson: “Raider fans are going to be Raider fans. And for those who don’t live in Las Vegas, it will be a nice little trip to make a weekend of it once or twice a season.

The Raiders and NFL in Las Vegas

Otto: “I don’t know if the NFL people have really considered the situation. You’ve got gambling on every street and every building in Las Vegas. Will the gambling affect football? Who knows? We don’t know.”

Villapiano: “I don’t mind a team going to Vegas. The NFL is a big show and the biggest shows go to Vegas. I just think it should be an expansion team, and not a team with tradition like the Raiders.”

Brown: “My initial thought was, `Please, don’t put a bunch of 25-year-old millionaires in Las Vegas.’ Then I thought about it. They’re millionaires. It doesn’t matter what city they’re in. If you want to find trouble, the trouble is going to be there for you.”

Branch: “I don’t think it will be a distraction. It can be a distraction in any city. There’s temptation everywhere you go in life. You do your job and support your family.

Atkinson: “I think Vegas will show a franchise can succeed without getting in to the elements. The Raider organization will lay down the rules to the players, so will the league.”

Morrison: “It’s not like they’re going to put their facility between the Wynn and the Venetian. They’ll be 15 to 20 miles off the strip. They’ll build a culture and with today’s world, with social media, you’re not going to be able to walk to a casino without having your picture taken.”

Thoms: “I think there is gambling in 48 states. I think it’s a non-issue — obviously, since (owners) voted 31-1.”

Gannon: “The gambling and nightlife thing is fairly insignificant, in my opinion. If you play for the Philadelphia Eagles, the majority of the team lives in South Jersey and are about 50 minutes away from Atlantic City. In Kansas City they have casinos. In Minnesota they have casinos. For a team that plays there, you go out and get players that know what it means to be professional and and have rules in place.”

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