Dontavies Mitchell flew all the way from Atlanta this past week to visit his long-distance girlfriend. For the Raider fan since 2006, he scheduled his trip perfectly. While visiting his girlfriend, Mitchell was able to attend the Raider Nation Celebration for the first time. Mitchell entered the raffle to win various prizes at the Raider Image booth in Frank Ogawa Plaza in downtown Oakland. On the first drawing of the day, Raiders.com's Jeanette Thompson, called Mitchell's name to win a signed CB Nnamdi Asomugha football. As Mitchell claimed his prize, the Raiders overheard that he did not have tickets to the preseason Battle of the Bay. The Raiders stepped in to help the long-distance fan.
"My girlfriend lives out here," Mitchell said. "Having a long distance relationship can be tough. This is her first time to this event, mine too. To win a ball and tickets…It's just, oh man, its just unreal."
Mitchell became a Raiders fan in 2006 when he graduated from Riverdale High School, whose mascot is the Raiders. He figured that if he came from the home of the Riverdale Raiders it only made sense to join the Oakland Raiders. Since becoming part of the Raider Nation, Mitchell has donned various Raiders gear in his current location in Atlanta. "They don't like it because I wear black and silver and the hats," he said. Despite the ridicule, Mitchell has stayed strong in his support of his Oakland team over the last few years.
Excited to be in downtown Oakland celebrating the start of the season with thousands of Raider fans, Mitchell was particularly excited about the addition of rookie LB Rolando McClain. "They just had a good draft," Mitchell explained. "One of my favorite players from college, Rolando McClain, now plays for the Raiders. It's so great."
Mitchell has high expectations for the Raiders this year. "You know we started off [the preseason] in Dallas right? You know that's where the Super Bowl is right? Lets get back to Dallas," said Mitchell.
Visiting his girlfriend while showing his support for the Raiders, Mitchell carried the spirit of the Raider Nation across the country. After enjoying the Raider Nation Celebration and the first installment of the Battle of the Bay in 2010, Mitchell returns to Atlanta with eager anticipation for the season.
