GETTING ANSWERS : No Matter Where They Play, Raiders Send Wrong Message to the Street

The Raiders have always been labeled the free-spirited bad boys of the National Football League, an image they’ve taken pride in both here in Los Angeles and in Oakland, where they may soon play again. Many of their players were considered undesirables, not wantedby any other organization because of their attitudes or because they were thought to be past their prime. Instead of trying to change them, all Al Davis asked of his wild bunch was “Just win, baby.” And when they put on the uniform emblazoned with the Raiders emblem of the swashbuckling pirate, it was like magic. They become the embodiment of intimidation and seemingly would run through a brick wall for Davis.

Youths, especially in the inner city, find the Raiders attractive because a pirate is a rebel, an image they can identify with. Many of these kids come from single-parent families and low-income homes. Many feel just like those unwanted football players, having bad reputations and looked down on as undesirable.

But football, no matter how intense the competition may get, is still only a game. Life on our inner-city streets is far more dangerous than anything that happens on the gridiron. I wonder whether the Raiders organization has any idea --or explanation for--the fact that many of our inner-city youths are dying while wearing the Raiders emblem?

If the Raiders are as committed to excellence as their motto proclaims, why haven’t they spoken out to denounce the wearing of their emblem in any gang that takes the life of another? Just as easily as Davis can say, “Just win, baby,” to the members of the team, he could offer some encouraging words to these young lost souls who support and look up to the football team, telling them that they should not don that emblem unless they have a winning spirit in the game of life.

It would be extremely disappointing to think that the Raiders are choosing to ignore what’s going on in our streets, content that young people are buying team merchandise. I would hope the team’s commitment is to making a positive difference in the community.