Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
Franchise History
The American Football League (AFL) was formally organized on August 22, 1959 and on January 30, 1960, the Oakland Raiders became the eighth charter member. The Oakland Raiders are now a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football Conference (NFL). A limited partnership was formed to own the team, including Y. Charles (Chet) Soda, Ed McGah, Robert Osborne, F. Wayne Valley, Harvey Binns, Don Blessing and Charles Harney. A “name the team” contest was held by a local newspaper and the winner was “Oakland Senors,” before the team officially became the “Oakland Raiders,” a third-place choice. They joined the NFL in 1970 and have won twelve division titles and three Super Bowls (XI, XV, XVIII) since.
In 1962, one of the partners, F. Wayne Valley, hired former assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers, Al Davis. In 1963, Al Davis became the head coach and general manager of the Oakland Raiders. Davis immediately changed the team colors to silver and black and began to implement the “vertical game,” an aggressive offensive strategy developed by Chargers head coach Sid Gillman. In April 1966, Davis left the Oakland Raiders briefly to fill the position of AFL Commissioner, but returned in July 1966 as part of the owner of the team, after the AFL-NFL merge. 
Al Davis (center) became the Head Coach and General Manager of the Oakland Raiders on January 15, 1963.
In 1969, John Madden became the team’s sixth head coach, winning six division titles during the 1970’s. After ten consecutive winning seasons and one Super Bowl Championship, John Madden left the Raiders in 1979 to pursue a television football commentator career. His replacement was former Raiders’ quarterback, Tom Flores, NFL's first Hispanic head coach to win a Super Bowl, winning twice, at Super Bowl XV with the Oakland Raiders and again at Super Bowl XVIII with the Los Angeles Raiders. Al Davis moved the team from Oakland to Los Angeles, California, in 1982, playing their home games at the Los Angeles Coliseum. In 1995, Davis moved the Raiders back to Oakland.
John Madden (Head coach) & Al Davis (Owner) of the Oakland Raiders with the Super Bowl XI Trophy on January 9, 1977.
The original Raiders uniforms were black and gold, with black helmets with a white stripe and no logo, worn between 1960 and 1962. In 1963, when Al Davis became head coach and general manager, he changed the colors to silver and black and added a logo to the helmet. The Raiders’ current uniform consists of silver helmets, silver pants, and either black or white jerseys. Due to intense heat in the Bay Area, the Raiders wore their white jerseys at home for the first time in their history on September 28, 2008 against the San Diego Chargers.
The Oakland Raiders’ rivals are their divisional rivals, the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Diego Chargers, and geographical rival, San Francisco 49ers. The Denver Broncos and the Raiders have been divisional rivals since they began in the AFL in 1960. Rivalry with the San Diego Chargers began when the Raiders were heavily-defeated twice by the Chargers in 1963. Located on the other side of the San Francisco Bay are the San Francisco 49ers, hence the term “Battle of the Bay” is used when a game is played between the 49ers and the Raiders.
Historical Timeline
1960
• January 30: Oakland has been awarded the former Minneapolis franchise.
• February 9: Eddie Erdelatz appointed the Raiders’ first head coach.
• September 11: Raiders open the season with a home game, but loses to Houston, 37-22.
1963
• January 15: Al Davis named head coach and general manager of the Raiders.
1965
• February 1: Construction of the Oakland Coliseum begins.
1966
• April 8: Al Davis is named second Commissioner of the AFL. He succeeded Joe Foss.
• June 8: AFL and NFL agree to an alliance.
• July 25: Al Davis resigns as Commissioner and returns to the Raiders as their Managing General Partner.
• September 18: The Raiders play the Kansas City Chiefs at the 54,000-seat Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
1967
• January 21: The AFL All-Star Game was held in Oakland.
• September 3: Oakland Raiders play the San Francisco 49ers in the first pre-season game held between the AFL and NFL.
• December 24: Oakland Raiders finish the season, 13-1, the best record in AFL history.
• December 31: Raiders win the AFL Championship against Houston Oilers, 40-7.
1968
• November 17: Raiders win over New York, 43-32, but “Heidi” becomes
1969
• February 4: John Madden is appointed Raiders head coach, and John Rauch goes to the Buffalo Bills.
• October 19: Quarterback Daryle Lamonica sets pro record with six touchdown passes in first half.
• December 13: Raiders win their third straight AFL Western Division title against Kansas City, 10-6.
1970
• December 12: Raiders become the first in the AFC club to capture four consecutive Western Divison title, winning against the Kansas City Chiefs, 20-6.
1972:
• December 3: Raiders win their fifth AFC Western Division title in six seasons in San Diego against the San Diego Chargers, 21-19.
1973
• December 16: Raiders win their sixth AFC Western Division title in seven seasons against the Denver Broncos, 21-17.
`1974
• September 22: Raiders begin a nine-game winning streak when they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-7.
• November 18: Raiders win seventh AFC Western Division title against the San Diego Chargers, 17-10.
• December 14: Raiders finish the year with the best won-lost record in the NFL (12-2).
• December 21: Miami’s fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance ends in the AFC Playoffs when they play the Oakland raiders at the Oakland Coliseum (28-26).
1975
• September 3: Jim Otto, the last original Raider, retires after 15 years as the Raiders’ starting center.
• November 3: Raiders become pro football’s “all-time winning team” since 1960 (129-77-11) with a winning percentage of 0.626.
• November 26: The Raiders go into overtime for the first time in history, beating the Washington Redskins, 26-23.
• November 30: Raiders get eighth AFC Western Divison title in the past nine seasons.
1976
• December 26: Raiders win AFC Championship against Pittsburgh at home, 24-7.
1977
• January 9: Raiders win Super Bowl XI at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, against the Minnesota Vikings (32-14).
• January 10: 20,000 fans greeted the Raiders return home to Oakland at the Coliseum.
• January 29: Head Coach John Madden is named the Washington Touchdown Club’s Coach of the Year.
• March 5: Al Davis is named NFL Executive of the Year.
• June 8: Raiders players and staff get their World Championship rings.
• December 11: Raiders clinch tenth playoff appearance in eleven years with a win over the Minnesota Vikings, 35-13.
• December 18: Raiders become the first NFL team to win 150 league games since 1960. ZThey played Kansas City and won, 21-20.
• December 24: Raiders defeat the Colts, 37-31, and advance to the Championship. At 75 minutes & 43 seconds, this was the longest game in Raider history and third longest played in the NFL.
Originally named the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and formerly named the McAfee Coliseum, this is the Oakland Coliseum, home of the Oakland Raiders, Oakland, California.
Fred Biletnikoff and Ken Stabler at Super Bowl XI, January 9, 1977.
1978
• January 1: Raiders lose the AFC Championship game against Denver, 20-17.
• November 5: John Madden becomes the 13th coach in NFL history to win 100 games as Oakland bets Kansas City, 20-10.
1979
• January 4: John Madden retires from football coaching after 12 years with the Raiders (two as linebackers coach and 10 as head coach).
• February 8: Tom Flores is named the head coach by Al Davis.
• May 11: Pete Banaszak retires after 13 seasons as Raiders’ running back.
• July 1: Cornerback Willie Brown retires after 12 seasons with the Raiders and 16 seasons in the league.
• July 9: Raiders close the season with ticket sales at an all-time high of 51,825.
• July 28: Raiders play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.
• September 2: Head Coach Tom Flores gets his first league win, defeating the Rams, 24-17.
• October 14: Raiders Monday Night record to (13-1-1).
• December 9: Beats Cleveland and becomes Raiders’ 15th straight winning season.
• December 16: Raiders finish the year, scored in 198 consecutive games.
1980
• August 2: Original Raider, Jim Otto, is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
• September 7: Raiders open the 21st seasons with 27-14 win over the Chiefs in Kansas City.
• December 1: Raiders become the first team in NFL history to earn 16 consecutive winning seasons.
• December 21: Raiders conclude the season with an 11-5 record, tied for first place in AFC West and entered the playoffs for the 11th time since 1967.
1981
• January 4: Raiders defeat Cleveland in the AFC Playoff Game (14-12).
• January 11: Raiders win AFC Championship against the Chargers in San Diego (34-27).
• January 25: Raiders win World Championship of Professional Football for the second time in five years, beating the Eagle, 27-10.
• August 1: Rraiders quarterback and place kicker George Blanda, is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
• August 2: Raiders players and staff receive their World Championship rings in a ceremony at the Kaiser Center.
1982
• April 27: Raiders select USC running back Marcus Allen (1981 Heisman Trophy winner) in the first-round drafting.
• September 12: Raiders open the 23rd season against the San Francisco 49ers and win, 23-17.
• December 12: Raiders beat Kansas City, 21-16, making it their 17th winning season in the last 18 years and also earned them their 200th league win in Raider history.
• December 18: Raiders record their first million-dollar home league game gate in NFL history, beating the Rams, 37-31.
1983
• January 2: The Raiders win the 10th Division Championship since 1967 and enter the playoffs for the 12th time.
• May 31: KRLA Radio becomes the Raider Radio Network station from 1983-1985.
• July 25: Raiders open 1983 training camp at El Rancho Motel complex in Santa Rosa.
• September 4: Raiders open the 24th season with a victory over the Bengals (20-10).
• September 17: E.W. McGah, General Partner and the only remaining original partner, dies at 84.
1984
• January 8: Raiders beat the Seatle Seahawks, 30-14, in the largest championship game crowd in the history of the AFC, with 92,335 tickets sold, the Raiders win their 11th conference championship.
• January 22: Raiders win World Championship of Professional Football for the third time in eight years, beating the Washington Redskins, 38-9, in Super Bowl XVIII.
• May 26: Raiders players and staff receive their World Championship rings in a ceremony at Beverly Hilton Hotel.
• July 28: Former cornerback Willie Brown becomes the third Raider to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
• September 2: Raiders open the 25h anniversary season beating the Houston Oilers (24-14).
• September 16: Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 22-20, earning Tom Flores his 50th league win since becoming head coach in 1979.
• October 28: Raider record of 92,469 tickets sold for a game against Denver at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
1985
• July 18: Raiders open their first Southern California preseason training camp in Oxnard.
• August 3: Raiders host the first Family Day in Southern California.
• September 3: The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce holds a sports banquet honoring the Raiders.
• September 8: Raiders open the 26th season at the Coliseum with a 31-9 shutout of the NY Jets.
• September 22: 92,487 tickets sold for the Raiders home game against the 49ers sets another Raider record and NFL league game gate record.
1986
• June 11: George Anderson, Raiders’ head trainer since 1960, was inducted into the national Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.
• November 16: Raiders beat Cleveland, 27-14, to win their 50th league game since relocating to Los Angeles in 1982.
1987
• July 22: Raiders open new training camp headquarters at Radisson Hotel in Oxnard.
• August 8: Former Raider offensive guard Gene Upshaw is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Canton, Ohio, with a presentation speech made by Raider Owner & Managing Partner, Al Davis.
• November 30: Raiders become first NFL team to win 250 league games since 1960.
1988
• January 20: Tom Flores retires as Raiders head football coach after nine years, 91 wins, and 2 World Championships.
• February 29: Mike Shanahan is named head coach.
• July 30: Former Raider wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Canton, Ohio, with a presentation speech made by Al Davis.
1989
• August 5: Former offensive tackle, Art Shell, becomes the sixth Raider inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining teammates, center Jim Otto, quarterback-kicker George Blanda, cornerback Willie Brown, guard Gene Upshaw and wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff.
• October 3: Art Shell is named head coach, replacing Mike Shanahan.
• October 9: Art Shell’s first victory as head coach, defeating the Denver Broncos, 16-13, with the largest ticket count in the NFL in 1979 at 90,016 tickets sold.
1990
• August 4: Ted Hendricks is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Canton, Ohio, with a presentation speech made by Al Davis.
• August 5: Raiders play New Orleans Saints in the first preseason game ever in a foreign country.
• September 9: The Raiders open the 31st season with a 14-9 win over the Broncos for the Silver and Black’s 150th home league game victory.
• December 10: The raiders beat Detroit, 38-31, earning them their 275th league game victory, which is the most by any NFL team since 1960.
1991
• August 4: Raiders go to Japan to play their preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.
1992
• August 1: Al davis is inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony in canton, Ohio, with a presentation speech made by John Madden.
1993
• September 5: Raiders play first game of the season in their renovated Coliseum, beating the Minnesota Vikings, 24-7.
1994
• July 31: The Raiders go for their third American Bowl in five years, playing against Denver, at the Montjuic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain.
1995
• February 2: Mike White becomes the 10th head coach of the Raiders, replacing Art Shell.
• August 12: Raiders play their first game after relocating to Oakland, against the Rams at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
• November 15: Tim Brown sets a Raiders record for receptions (14) in a single game against Jacksonville.
1996
• March 27: Raiders announce that they plan to hold their summer training camp in Napa, California with the team staying at the Napa Marriott Hotel and practices held at Redwood Middle School.
• July 12: Raiders open their training camp in Napa.
• September 15: The Raiders open the season against Jacksonville at their newly-renovated stadium, the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
1997
• January 30: Raiders name Joe Bugel as their 11th head coach.
• May 8: Susquehanna Radio Corp. announce that Raider games will be broadcasted on “The Ticket,” 1050 AM, the Bay Area’s newest all-sports radio station.
• July 19: Raiders open the second year of training in Napa, California.
• July 26: Former Raider cornerback Mike Haynes is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
• September 8: Raiders open the season on Monday Night against the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland.
• December 21: Tim Brown passes Fred Biletnikoff for the top spot on the Raiders all-time receiving list.
1998
• January 22: Jon Gruden is named head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Gruden, 34, is now the youngest head coach employed in the NFL and the third-youngest in Raider history. Owner, Al Davis, was 33 when he was named head coach and John Madden was 32 when he was promoted to head coach.
• July 21: Raiders open their training camp in Napa, California.
• September 6: Raiders open the season against the Kansas City Chiefs.
• December 26: Raiders their regular season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs at Network Associates Coliseum.
1999
• August 7: Former Raider running back Eric Dickerson is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
• September 12: The Raiders open their 40th regular season against the Green Bay Packers.
2000
• July 21: Raiders open their training camp in Napa, California.
• July 29: Former Raiders, Howie Long and Ronnie Lott are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• September 3: Raiders open their 41st season at home against the San Diego Chargers.
2001
• January 14: Raiders host the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens.
• Four Raiders, Rich Gannon, Charles Woodson, Lincoln Kennedy and Steve Wisniewski, are victorious in the AFC Pro Bowl in Honolulu, coached by John Gruden. Gannon is named the game’s MVP.
• July 20: Raiders open their training camp in Napa, California.
• September 9: Raiders open their 42nd season against the Kansas City Chiefs.
2002
• January 12: Raiders Raiders defeat the NY Jets, 38-24, in the Wold Card Playoffs, at Network Associates Coliseum.
• February 9: Five Raiders, Tim Brown, Rich Gannon, Charles Woodson, Lincoln Kennedy, and Shane Lechler, are victorious in the AFC Pro Bowl in Honolulu and Gannon is named MVP for the second straight year.
• March 12: Offensive Coordinator Bill Callahan is named the 13th head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
• July 25: Raiders open their training camp in Napa, California.
• August 3: Dave Casper is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
• September 8: Raiders open their 43rd season against the Seattle Seahawks at Network Associates Coliseum.
• September 15: Rich Gannon sets an NFL record for the most completions (43) in a non-overtime game.
• September 29: Jerry Rice becomes the NFL’s all-time leader in yards from scrimmage, while Rod Woodson becomes the NFL leader for most career interception return yards.
• November 11: Rich Gannon sets an NFL record for the most consecutive completions (21).
• November 17: Tim Brown breaks Gene Upshaw’s record (217) for most games played as a Raider.
• November 24: Raiders reach their 400-win mark.
• December 2: Tim Brown joins Jerry Rice and Cris Carter as only the third player in NFL history to catch 1,000 passes.
• December 22: Raiders win their third straight AFC West Division title against the Denver (28-16). Rich Gannon sets a new NFL record for single season completions (404).
2003
• January 19: Raiders win their 25th postseason game, the most of any AFC team.
• January 26: Raiders become the only team in pro football history to play in Super Bowls in four different decades.
• September 7: Raiders open their 44th season against the Tennessee Titans.
2004
• January 26: Raiders name Norv Turner as their head coach.
• May 7: The Raiders accept an offer to have this season’s games broadcasted on KSFO 560 AM.
• July 30: Raiders open their training camp in Napa, California.
• August 7: Bob Brown becomes the fifteenth Raider to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• September 12: The Raiders start their 45th season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2005
• July 28: Raiders open their training camp in Napa, California.
• September 8: Raiders begin their 46th season against the Patriots.
2006
• February 10: Pro Football Hall of Famer, Art Shell, returns as the Oakland Raiders’ head coach.
• July 24: Raiders open their training camp in Napa, California.
• August 5: John Madden is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with a presentation speech made by Al Davis.
• September 11: The Raiders open their 47th season against the San Diego Chargers at McAfee Coliseum.
2007
• January 23: Lane Kiffin becomes the Raiders’ new head coach.
• July 26: Raiders open their training camp in Napa, California.
• September 9: The Raiders start their 48th season against the Detroit Lions at McAfee Coliseum.
2008
• September 8: Raiders begin their 49th season against the Denver Broncos at McAfee Coliseum.
• September 30: Tom Cable is introduced as the Raiders’ interim coach.
• October 19: Sebastian Janikowski sets a franchise and NFL overtime record by kicking a 57-yard field goal to beat the NY Yets, 16-13.
• November 9: Sebastian Janikowski becomes the Raiders all-time scoring leader, surpassing George Blanda’s franchise mark of 863 career points.
2009
• February 4: Raiders name Tom Cable as their permanent head coach.
• July 29: Raiders open their training camp in Napa, California.
• August 8: Former Raiders, Roy Woodson, is inducted in the Pro Football hall of Fame.
• September 14: Raiders begin their 50th season against the San Diego Chargers.
1960 AFL Program Los Angeles Chargers
Franchise History
1960 – 1959: Oakland Raiders (AFL)
1970 – 1981: Oakland Raiders (NFL)
1982 – 1994: Los Angeles Raiders (NFL)
1995 – Present: Oakland Raiders (NFL)
Coaching History
1960 – 1961: Eddie Erdelatz (16-10-0)
1961 – 1962: Marty Feldman (2-15-0)
1962: Red Conkright (1-8-0)
1963 – 1965: Al Davis (23-16-3)
1966 – 1968: John Rausch (35-10-1)
1969 – 1978: John Madden (112-39-7)
1979 – 1987: Tom Flores (91-56-0)
1988 – 1989: Mike Shanahan (8-12-0)
1989 – 1994: Art Shell (51-46-0)
1995 – 1996: Mike White (15-17-0)
1997: Joe Bugel (4-12-0)
1998 – 2001: Jon Gruden (39-27-0)
2002 – 2003: Bill Callahan (15-17-0)
2004 – 2005: Norv Turner (9-23-0)
2006: Art Shell (2-14-0)
2007 – 2008: Lane Kiffin (5-15-0)
2009 – Present: Tom Cable
Championship History
League Championships (4)
AFL Championships (1)
1967
Super Bowl Championships (3)
1976 (XI), 1980 (XV), 1983 (XVIII)
Conference championships (4)
AFC: 1976, 1980, 1983, 2002
Division championships (15)
AFL West: 1967, 1968, 1969
AFC West: 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1985, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2002
Playoff appearances (21)
AFL: 1967, 1968, 1969
NFL: 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Marcus Allen
Fred Biletnikoff
George Blanda
Willie Brown
Dave Casper
Al Davis
Mike Haynes
Ted Hendricks
Howie Long
Jim Otto
Art Shell
Gene Upshaw
Recent History
According to Forbes Magazine in 2006, the Raiders’ team is valued at US $736 million and ranks 28th in the NFL. In 2008, the Raiders became the first team in NFL history to lose at least 11 games in six straight seasons. In September 2009, Raider Nation by Ice Cube was released. The nickname “Raider Nation” refers to the die-hard fans of the team and Raider Nation is known for the “Black Hole” where the team’s rowdiest fans are located in a specific area of the Coliseum (sections 104 – 107).
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