The Raiders began their tenure in Las Vegas in 2020. However, it didn’t seem very real because the pandemic kept people out of the games. And when the pieces all came together in 2021 it seemed to quickly fall apart.
Here’s a fast rundown: Before the season began, company executives quit or were fired, the actual reasons still not clear. Mid-season, Coach Jon Gruden was fired after emails were uncovered with his homophobic and misogynistic comments. Then a star player involved in a fatal traffic accident, where he was estimated to have been driving 156 mph. After that, a player was kicked off the team for brandishing a gun online and reportedly threatening another person. And after the season ended, yet another player was cited for driving 110 mph—and this was two weeks after he was arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence.
Fans are very forgiving, of course. As long as the team wins. But the team started to lose. Then came roaring back and made it to the playoffs—where they were one and done.
And now, lots of questions on how this team can change its culture. Can a single coach do that?
Vincent Bonsignore, Raiders Reporter, Review Journal; Case Keefer, Raiders Reporter, Las Vegas Sun
