Sports: Oakland Raiders Tickets

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The Oakland Raiders, a professional American football team based in Oakland, California are currently members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). They began playing in 1960 as the eighth charter member of the American Football League after the ownership group from Minnesota withdrew from the AFL to join the NFL. The team slipped to 7-9 in their last season in Oakland, finishing last in their division for the first time since 1962. The Raiders moved to Los Angeles in 1982 to play their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Oakland Raiders AFL logoThe Raiders' logo is a shield that consists of the words "Raiders" at the top, crossed swords, and the head of a Raider wearing a football helmet. Over the years, it has undergone minor color modifications but has essentially remained the same. The Raiders' current silver and black uniform design has essentially remained the same since it debuted in 1963. It consists of silver helmets, silver pants, and either black or white jerseys. The black jerseys have silver numbers. The Raiders acquired all-time leading receiver Jerry Rice prior to the 2001 season. They finished 10-6, but lost their divisional playoff game to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the controversial "Tuck Game."

The Raiders finished the 2002 season with an 11-5 record and clinched the top seed in the playoffs. Gannon was named MVP of the NFL, and the Raiders made their fifth Super Bowl appearance following the season. They lost Super Bowl XXXVII to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which was then, and still is, coached by Gruden, by the score of 48-21.The Raiders finished the 2003 season, their second year under Callahan, with a record of 4-12. This season, and the team's fans utter devotion despite the poor record, is chronicled in "Better to Reign in Hell," a book written by two English professors from San Diego. The title is derived from an assertion by Satan in Paradise Lost by John Milton that it is "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven."

Art Shell was named Head Coach on February 11, 2006. Shell's staff for the 2006 season will consist of new offensive coordinator, Tom Walsh and new offensive line coach Jackie Slater. The Raiders will begin the 2006 regular season by playing their divisional rivals, the San Diego Chargers, at home on September 11. It will be the Raiders' first appearance on Monday Night Football since 2003. They will make their debut on NBC's Football Night in America in Denver against the division rival Broncos. They will return to Monday Night later in the season against the Seattle Seahawks where the Raiders will play at Qwest Field for the first time. On Christmas Week, the Raiders will make their debut on the NFL Network at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.