Believe it or not, Jacob Fatu had never been to an NFL game until last Sunday.
He met with fans at the Modelo Tailgate Zone and graced the sidelines of Allegiant Stadium as the Las Vegas Raiders faced the Chicago Bears. While it was his first time watching the Raiders live in person, it wasn't his first time under the spotlight in their home stadium.
Back in April, less than a year after debuting in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Fatu wrestled in Allegiant Stadium on Night 1 of the organization's flagship premium live event, WrestleMania. In front of over 58,000 fans, he won the WWE United States Championship, his first singles title with the company.
Wrestling on that card in Las Vegas meant a lot to Fatu for several reasons. He was able to represent his ancestry as a member of the legendary AnoaŹ»i family, with cousins and uncles who wrestled on the WrestleMania IX card at Caesars Palace in 1993.
"Allegiant Stadium was different though. That thing's really big," Fatu said. "It just means so much more because of the history and the foundation that was set here for us. ... I had my parents there, I had my son there. It was very special."
"Now coming back for an NFL game and being in the middle of field where I was performing in a wrestling ring, it's a real cool experience for me," he added.
It was equally as special to wrestle in the stadium of the team he's been a lifelong fan of. The Sacramento, California, native gravitated toward the Silver and Black under unusual circumstances. The large majority of his family are San Francisco 49ers fans, and he categorizes himself as "the black sheep" of the bunch.
However, his childhood friends and neighbors were diehard Raiders fans and were successfully able to get Fatu to convert over to the the darkside. His favorite player growing up was bruising running back Tyrone Wheatley, who scored 32 rushing touchdowns with the Raiders. Fatu even choose No. 47 as his high school uniform number as an ode to Wheatley.
"I just felt it was more of a lifestyle, something that I could relate to," Fatu said. "There were a lot of legends and the football field in Oakland was legendary. I just think it was a whole other lifestyle. They're passionate enough to where they drive out here every weekend to Vegas coming from the Bay.
"This is why I'm tripping out while I'm sitting here. This is why I've been laughing, smiling the whole time because I'm excited to be over here. It don't get no better."
Since WrestleMania 41, Fatu began actively sharing his love for the Raiders with the WWE universe. It all started with a custom jersey he received from the organization leading into the event. When he saw his cousin Jey Uso wearing a Raiders Starter jacket after winning the World Heavyweight Championship, Fatu couldn't let his jersey collect dust.
His custom No. 42 Raiders jersey, symbolizing the number of the next WrestleMania coming to Las Vegas, has become a staple on Monday Night Raw. So much so that the WWE has created merchandise resembling the jersey for fans.
"I'm kicking ass on TV with the Raiders jersey," Fatu joked. "We come from that early 2000s era where Nelly came out with the Air Force 1s and everybody's rocking their jersey backwards. So I had to bring it back. I had to wear it. We could come out there dressed in our shirts, but that just felt like me. Like y'all going to feel this. This is a real Raider over here."
And while Fatu was on his tour of the Raiders headquarters last week, he was gifted another custom No. 42 jersey in the road colorway. "The Samoan Werewolf" might be seen rocking his new jersey soon on WWE programming as they gear up for WrestleMania 42, coming back to Allegiant Stadium this April.
Get an exclusive look at the gameday entertainment from the Raiders' Week 4 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
WWE wrestler Jacob Fatu before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Mariachi Nuestras Raices performs before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Mariachi Nuestras Raices performs before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Mariachi Nuestras Raices performs before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Jerry Robinson signs the Al Davis Memorial torch before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Singer Stephani Parker performs the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
The American flag is displayed by Personal Seat License (PSL) holders on the field during the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
The American flag is displayed by Personal Seat License (PSL) holders on the field during the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
The American flag is displayed by Personal Seat License (PSL) holders on the field during the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Singer Stephani Parker performs the national anthem while the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Honor Guard presents the nation's colors before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Singer Stephani Parker performs the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Singer Stephani Parker performs the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Singer Stephani Parker performs the national anthem while the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Honor Guard presents the nation's colors before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
The American flag is displayed by Personal Seat License (PSL) holders on the field during the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
The American flag is displayed by Personal Seat License (PSL) holders on the field during the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
The American flag is displayed by Personal Seat License (PSL) holders on the field during the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
The American flag is displayed by Personal Seat License (PSL) holders on the field during the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Jerry Robinson lights the Al Davis Memorial Torch before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Jerry Robinson lights the Al Davis Memorial Torch before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
Band Earth, Wind & Fire perform during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
WWE wrestler Jacob Fatu during the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
