All Roads Lead to Raider Mecca
September 25, 2004

Raider fans attending the 7th annula Raider Mecca fan festival listen during a presentation in the team's training room.
Raiders.com

More than 150 Raiders fans from around the country attending the 7th Annual Raider Mecca fan festival descended upon The Oakland Raiders Alameda, Calif., facility today. Raider Mecca is a three-day fan event organized by Raiders fans. The event culminates tomorrow night at Network Associates Coliseum at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland Raiders clash.

Fans arrived in two separate groups by way of chartered tour buses. After a brief presentation in the team's auditorium, Raiders fans were given a guided tour of the facility including the locker room, training room, weight room and practice fields.

Kerry Bertolini, a Raiders fan since 1964, said, "We have people here from Florida, California, Ohio, and Delaware, and all over the United States. They come every year for Raider Mecca. I hope we are going to make the playoffs, I think we are off to a good start."

The Raider Mecca Saturday tour also included a stop at The Raider Image at Westgate in San Leandro where Raiderettes Laura and Tiffany B., and TE Doug Jolley and LB DeLawrence Grant were on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.

Raiders staff member Marc Badain leads a tour of the Raiders Alameda facility.
Raiders.com

Jerry Lopez of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., said, "When you are in love with something and you dedicate so much time and some much passion to it, it meant a lot to us to have this tour, for myself and the group that came with us."

The overwhelming sentiment from the fans who were afforded the opportunity to visit the Raiders facility was, "We love the Raiders and we support them, no matter what."

The event includes more Saturday evening festivities and tailgating at tomorrow's game against the Buccaneers.