When you think of the Raiders, you may think of the Oakland Raiders. Well, you’re not wrong. The now Las Vegas Raiders were once called the Oakland and even the Las Angeles Raiders. This AFC West team has moved several times, hence the name change.
Despite the relocation and rebranding, the Raiders have shown remarkable resilience, emerging as one of the league’s top teams. Their ability to adapt and thrive in different environments is a testament to their spirit and determination, as evident by the numerous legendary Raiders in history.
Jim Otto
When you think of a Raider player, you may immediately picture someone like Jim Otto. He had numerous achievements connected to his name. He predated AI Davis to join the team. He played 308 straight games; he’s also one of the greatest NFL players of all time.
He played straight games with a rusted, bent-up helmet, double-bar face mask, and his classic neck roll; indeed, all of these combined gave him little protection. But, he remained one of the toughest men to ever play for the Raiders.
Till his death, Otto remained committed to the Raiders. When he had to get his leg amputated, he asked to get it replaced with an artificial limb that was decorated with the Raiders’ shield. Otto also used to watch the Raiders games in a suite next to Al Davis and even used to watch the team practice. He indeed remained loyal to the team.
Ken Stabler
Picking the top Raiders players of all time would require a considerable argument among fans and experts alike, especially from the quarterback position.
Indeed, Jim Plunkett won two Super Bowls, was named Super Bowl MVP, and was even named Comeback Player of the Year. Derek Carr led the team for all nine seasons. However, Daryle Lamonica was given the AFL MVP, led the Raiders to the Super Bowl 2, and became an inspiration that Al Davis spent several decades to find and replicate.
So, who’s the all-time favorite quarterback? Well, it’s no other than Lamonica’s immediate successor, known to be the greatest left-handed quarterback in NFL history. He’s called “Snake” Ken Stabler, one of the most clutch quarterbacks in history and among the greatest NFL players ever.
Naturally, Stabler didn’t start perfect. He even took time to rehab his injured knee, but after returning, he personified what it meant to be a Raider player, just like those before him and the others on this list. Thanks to his dedication, he received the Offensive Player of the Year award, became the 1974 NFL MVP, and led his team to the division title every season from 1973 to 1977.
During his time with the Raiders, he has at least ensured that his team would make it to the AFC Championship Game. Furthermore, he led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl win in 1977 against the Minnesota Vikings. As you can see, Stabler has led the team to numerous championship games and won.
Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson, or “CWood,” is a player who has made it into the Hall of Fame with two teams. As you’ve guessed, one is with the Raiders. It may have been impossible for most, but it shows how skilled Woodson is, no matter what team you place him on.
CWood spent the start of his career as the best cornerback in the National Football League when he joined the Raiders as a rookie in 1998. He was the only man to win the Heisman Trophy as a defensive player. For many years, he has managed to lock down anyone he went up against; it didn’t matter how skilled you were.
After being let go by the Raiders, Woodson joined the Green Bay Packers and won a Super Bowl and even the Defensive Player of the Year award. In 2013, he decided to go back to the Raiders. 2013 was a time when the team hadn’t won any season. Thankfully, Woodson spent his time laying the foundation for the young Raiders team and mentored the players who would later go on to the future Hall of Fame.
He transitioned from a young superstar to the perfect mentor and has significantly impacted the Raiders’ history. The lessons he taught the players at the time are still passed down today, making the Las Vegas Raiders a strong team we know and love, which reflects their popularity in Online Betting.
Howie Long
We can all agree that the Raiders had some great defensive linemen in the franchise’s history. However, the greatest of all time, or G.O.A.T, undeniably has to be Howie Long or “The Caveman.” Howie Long is the undisputed leader in the defensive line, and we know that he was an absolute game-changer during his time with the team from 1981 to 1993.
Thanks to one of his demands that the team line up everywhere along the line of scrimmage, the Raiders had an impressive defensive line during his time, with Bob Golic, Townsend, Lyle Alzado, Bill Pickel, and Chester McGlockton alongside Howie Long in the defensive line.
Even though some people only recognize “The Caveman” from his longtime career on television, it doesn’t dispute that Long made a significant impact on the team. Fans worldwide have always wished he would come out of retirement and play professionally again.
Many believed he retired early, but Howie Long also has a great outlook on retirement, just like in his defense. He mentioned that he didn’t want to be known as a player that retired too late. We can see that Long wanted to keep his legacy intact to inspire aspiring professional football players everywhere.
Final Thoughts
The Raiders have experienced numerous changes, yet thanks to their resilience and love for the sport, they have consistently trained their skillset to become the finest organization in professional football. As such, there have been numerous definitive legends that paved the way for the players we know today.
We understand that everyone has their set list of who are the definitive greatest of all-time Raiders players in history, but is there a wrong list? In this list, we included the players who stayed true to the team’s motto, “Commitment to Excellence,” throughout their time.
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