The Oakland Raiders and their Beginning
The Oakland Raiders are a professionally trained American football team located in the city of Oakland, California. The team presently plays in the Western Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL).
In 1960, the Oakland Raiders began to play as the eighth charger member of the American Football League (AFL) and they won one championship as well as three division titles. The Oakland Raiders joined the NFL as part of the AFL-NFL Merger in 1970.
The Oakland Raiders Accomplishments
The Raiders team has won twelve division titles and three Super Bowls. The Raiders have also had the opportunity to appear in two additional Super Bowls. The Raiders can be proud of their many accomplishments in addition to having thirteen enshrines in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In 1963, Al Davis became the head coach and general manager of the Oakland Raiders. Davis immediately made winners out the Oakland Raiders team. Al Davis also began to use team slogans such as "Pride and Poise," "Commitment to Excellence," and "Just Win, Baby". All of these slogans are registered trademarks. For a brief season, Davis became AFL Commissioner in 1966; however Davis has been with the Oakland Raiders team continuously. In 1966, Davis also became a managing partner of the franchise.
In 1982, Davis moved the team from Oakland to Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, the Oakland Raiders won their third Super Bowl. In 1995, the team was moved back to Oakland. In 2000, head coach Jon Gruden led the Oakland Raiders to their first division title since year 1990. While under head coach Bill Callahan, the Oakland Raiders also had an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII. In January 2007, the team named 31-year-old Lane Kiffin as their new head coach.