There has not been a single moment in my lifetime when the Las Vegas Raiders weren’t a complete mess.
And I’m being completely serious about that.
The Raiders lost Super Bowl XXXVII on Jan. 26, 2003. Two days later, I came into this world, and all I’ve known is complete dysfunction. I’m sure there have been moments of joy and wonder throughout the 23-plus years since the team fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl — Derek Carr was always a pleasant experience — but those have been few and far between.
Since moving to Las Vegas in 2020, the Raiders are 39-62. Only one playoff appearance has come about in Sin City, and the last several seasons have been absolute catastrophes. Even Pete Carroll couldn’t uplift this ailing franchise from the desert — literally.
Sports organizations that find themselves in the metaphorical wilderness sometimes have a tendency to wander for years, desperately searching for a way back to civilization. The Cleveland Browns are certainly a prime example of this. The New York Jets also apply, as do many other franchises across multiple levels of sport. The Raiders have seemingly inserted themselves into this category, though their tenure will be short-lived if one person has anything to say about it.
Enter Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza is a marvel.
No, not in the sense that he could suit up as a superhero, but in the sense that he defies every stereotypical convention of what an NFL quarterback is meant to be.
