How does a kid from North East, Pennsylvania, become a lifelong Raiders fan while living over 2,600 miles away from California?
Well, Bo Knows.
It was the Raiders' legendary running back that captivated an 8-year-old Mike Insalaco watching Monday Night Football as his parents urged him to turn off the living room television and go to bed. In this Monday Night Football game in particular, Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson, as a rookie, rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns on the Seattle Seahawks.
Insalaco ran over to the Silver and Black like Jackson did over Brian Bosworth to the end zone.
"It was a younger version of myself seeing this guy who seemed faster than anyone else on the field by mile," Insalaco said of watching his first Raiders game. "And he was big and he was fast. I just remember watching him on Monday Night Football. I was enthralled by him, and then I realized the team that he played for.
"The colors, the history, everything just kind of came together and I've been in love with them ever since."
Insalaco has now been a fan for over 40 years, going to countless games dating back to Oakland since 2008. Through his fandom for the Raiders, he also met his wife Nina, who ironically lived two hours away from him in Pennsylvania.
The two met at a former annual Raider Mecca event, where the team hosted fans at their headquarters in Alameda, California, for a weekend of parties and Raiders legends meet and greets to kick off the season. The couple will be celebrating their 11th wedding anniversary next month.
"I probably wouldn't have met her if it wasn't for the Raiders," Insalaco said. "She had some family that lived pretty close to me in PA. Just an ironic, small world chance there, but definitely it was the Raiders that brought us together."
It's pretty easy to distinguish Mike Insalaco at a Raiders game. He wears his trademark bucket hat and Jim Otto jersey to every game. Back in Oakland, he wore a Jack Tatum to every game which was also the first Raiders jersey he purchased. But with the team moving to Las Vegas, he retired the No. 32 for the iconic Double 0.
"The Otto jersey stuck out to me because he's always been to me Mr. Raider," Insalaco said. "His contributions to the team, to football in general, were second to none. On top of that, I had the privilege of meeting him in Oakland and he was just an incredible guy to sit and talk with. He had that lasting impression on me. So when I saw the jersey, I said I gotta rock the Double 0 because you don't see too many of those and I like to pay homage to the past heroes."
The Insalacos relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2021 where Mike is a realtor. He shamelessly mentioned that the Raiders moving to the desert played a huge role in them moving there as well. As in Oakland, they are still season ticket members.
"The Vegas vibe is really fantastic," he said. "You have a lot of dedicated, hardcore people here in this city that love this team. You felt the energy this past game, Monday night. You felt that energy, you felt that excitement. It's a lot more glitz and glamour, but it is a lot of fun and something to be really proud of.
"A lot of people like a team because of the colors, how well they're doing, maybe their location. To me, it's more than that. If you're part of Raider Nation, then you're not only a friend, but you're family to me. And you see that everywhere we go."
Get an exclusive look at the gameday entertainment from the Raiders' Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) with the Summerlin South 2025 U.S. Little League Champions before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll with the Summerlin South 2025 U.S. Little League Champions before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Silver and Black League Middle School Players of the Week before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) with the Summerlin South 2025 U.S. Little League Champions before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek with the Summerlin South 2025 U.S. Little League Champions before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Professional boxer Terence Crawford with the Summerlin South 2025 U.S. Little League Champions before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis with the Summerlin South 2025 U.S. Little League Champions before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Mariachi Nuestras Raices performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Mariachi Nuestras Raices performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Mariachi Nuestras Raices performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Mariachi Nuestras Raices performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Mariachi Nuestras Raices performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Mariachi Nuestras Raices performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Raiders House Band performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Raiders House Band performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Raiders House Band performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Raiders House Band performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Raiders House Band performs before the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Singer and actress Michelle Williams performs the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers 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 Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Singer and actress Michelle Williams performs the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Honor Guard from Creech Air Force Base presents the nation's colors during the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Singer and actress Michelle Williams performs the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers 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 Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Honor Guard from Creech Air Force Base presents the nation's colors during the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Singer and actress Michelle Williams performs the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers 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 Los Angeles Chargers 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 Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Summerlin South 2025 U.S. Little League Champions light the Al Davis Memorial Torch before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The American flag is displayed by Personal Seat License (PSL) holders on the field after the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The American flag is displayed by Personal Seat License (PSL) holders on the field after the national anthem before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Summerlin South 2025 U.S. Little League Champions sign the Al Davis Memorial torch before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Rapper and record producer Lil Jon performs during halftime at the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders honor a veteran during a Salute to Service moment during the regular season home game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
