Blood might be thicker than water, but nothing is more important than which NFL team you root for.

C.J. Anderson has been the Denver Broncos’ starting running back for a few years, and he was a big part of the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 team. He’s also from the Bay Area, and his family is mostly Oakland Raiders fans. Note that’s present tense.

When the Broncos play the Raiders in Denver on Sunday, Anderson said he’ll have plenty of family members in the stands including his mother, and they’ll be rooting for the visiting team.

“It’s tough,” Anderson said, via All22.com. “My mom goes every time, ‘Look, I’m a Raiders fan. I love you, son. Just not against my Raiders.’”

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At least she’s honest. Anderson said his family won’t necessarily be rooting against him. They’ll cheer for him when he’s in the game. And they’ll be rooting for the Raiders to win.

“When 22 [Anderson] is in the game, they’ll root for us.When I’m out of the game, they’ll root for the Raiders,” Anderson said. “I feel bad for Jamaal [Charles] and them. They [Anderson’s family] won’t wear orange and blue, but they won’t put on black and silver, either.”

Raiders fans are as loyal as they come, and most seem to still be cheering on their team even though they’re going to be moving to Las Vegas in a couple years. Heck, one of their fans kept rooting for the Raiders even though her son is one of the stars of their AFC West rival.

“It hits home when it comes to my mom,” Anderson said.

Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson will play against the Oakland Raiders this week. (AP) More

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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