It's a privilege and an honor to light the Al Davis Memorial Torch prior to the start of every Raiders home game, and several notable alumni have returned to Oakland to commemorate NFL legend, Al Davis.
As the 2019 season progresses, the Raiders will welcome more alumni, celebrities, and members of the community to light the Torch at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum; you can watch each one below.
Preseason Week 1:
Former Raiders QB Cotton Davidson
During his 10-year career in professional football, he played the positions of quarterback, kicker, and punter. He spent six seasons with the Oakland Raiders from 1962-1968, and was under center on September 18th, 1966, for the Raiders first snap in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Preseason Week 2:
Former Raiders WR Mervyn Fernandez
Fernandez played 12 years of professional football, playing wide receiver for both the NFL and the CFL. He spent six seasons with the Raiders from 1987-1992, and six seasons with the BC Lions from 1982-1986 and in 1994. He was also inducted to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame this year.
Week 1:
Former Raiders T Lincoln Kennedy
Kennedy anchored the right side of the line from 1996 to 2003. During his tenure with the Silver and Black he was named to three consecutive Pro Bowls and started in Super Bowl XXXVII. He's now the color analyst on the Raiders' radio broadcast and does a weekly chalk talk segment breaking down the upcoming matchup of the week. He's a Raiders legend and was proud to light the Al Davis Memorial Torch prior to Monday Night Football.
Week 2:
Former Raiders T John Vella
Vella was drafted by the Raiders in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft and spent seven seasons wearing the Silver and Black. He contributed as a starter on some of the greatest offensive lines in NFL history in the seventies -- with players like Shell, Otto and Upshaw, and blocked his way to the Raiders Super Bowl XI victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Week 5:
Former Raiders Offensive Lineman Steve Wiseniewski
Wiseniewski spent his entire 13-year career with the Silver and Black, playing in 206 games with 206 starts. He appeared in the playoffs nine times, is an eight-time Pro Bowler and a is a member of the NFL 1990s All-Decade team.
Week 9:
The Women of the 1970s led by Susan Casper, Janice Shell, Sally Otto, and Barbara Flores
The Raiders organization is more than football, it's a family. During the 1970s, the families and friends of the players were not only there to cheer on the men in the Silver and Black, but as their support system on and off the field.
Week 10:
Former Raiders Linebacker Matt Millen
He was selected in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the Raiders. Millen spent nine seasons with the Silver and Black and was a leader of the defense. He has four Super Bowl championships to his name, including Super Bowls XV and XVIII with the Raiders.
Week 11:
Former Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski
Janikowski was selected in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Raiders and spent 18 seasons in the SIlver and Black. He's the franchise's all-time leader in games played with 268 and points scored with 1,799, and he owns the NFL record for most field goals made from 50 yards or more.
Week 14:
Former Raiders punter Shane Lechler
Lechler was selected in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft and spent 13 seasons as a member of the team. He holds five best single-season punting averages in Raiders' history and the NFL record for career punting average. Lechler was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a six-time All-Pro.
