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Short of a family member dying, I cannot imagine a deeper grief than watching a team you’ve rooted for all your life pack up for a place that is the city equivalent of that dude at the gym named Chad. Do you try to muster up the energy to root for the team in its sexy new city? Do you just submit and become a Patriots fan? So many questions, and I’m not sure anyone in the Bay Area has an answer.
The Raiders received 31 of 32 possible votes from NFL owners during their annual meeting. The Dolphins were the only team who voted against the relocation. The team will play in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum during the 2017 and 2018 seasons before the inevitable breakup with one of the NFL’s most loyally rabid fanbases in 2019.
NFL players, Raiders players included, posted their thoughts about the move on Twitter. The consensus for everyone who isn’t associated with the Raiders organization: “LOL.”
Raiders’ QB Derek Carr:
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) March 27, 2017
Raiders’ DT Justin Ellis:
The Love here in Oakland is 2nd to none. Let's control what we can control, &That's the love! All The Real Raiders fans will remain ❤🙏🏾#RN
— Justin ”Jelly” Ellis (@JeLLy_ThaDON) March 27, 2017
Raiders’ Punter Marquette King:
https://twitter.com/MarquetteKing/status/846426488182194176
Texans’ Offensive Guard Jeff Allen:
I can't even make it in Vegas for 48hrs, I couldn't imagine playing there lol
— Cookie Expert (@JeffAllen71) March 27, 2017
"I have mixed feelings obviously, I love Oakland, I love the fans in Oakland but I also love money…" -Mark's real thoughts https://t.co/2KBvTvIt5e
— Cookie Expert (@JeffAllen71) March 27, 2017
Seahawks’ Punter Jon Ryan:
I know I just dumped you but I'm going to stay in our house for the next 2 years until my new gf is done building our new house. #Raiders
— Jon Ryan (@JonRyan9) March 27, 2017
Ravens’ Tight End Benjamin Watson:
Raiders to Vegas. Character not location determines conduct. However, certain locations challenge character more frequently.
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) March 27, 2017
Miami Dolphins’ linebacker Spencer Paysinger:
NFL players can't endorse:
– Beer/Alcohol.
– Sports gambling.
– Casinos.So naturally it makes sense to put a NFL team in Las Vegas.
— Spencer Paysinger (@PYSNGR) March 27, 2017
Free agent safety Ryan Mundy:
2 years ago Tony Romo couldn't hold a fantasy football draft on Vegas… now a team is relocating there 😂
— Mundy (@RyanGMundy) March 27, 2017
Giants’ WR Brandon Marshall:
Yea Vegas bout to be lit https://t.co/2ChMnHJ34I
— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshh) March 27, 2017
The rest of the Twittersphere:
Oakland Raiders Vs
Las Vegas Raiders pic.twitter.com/UnmRHfcio0— yepitslaé (@LaeYates) March 27, 2017
The Las Vegas Raiders pic.twitter.com/4amo6u9r6I
— Premium Pete (@PremiumPete) March 27, 2017
If anyone with the Raiders has any sense of marketing, they will haul arse across the desert into Vegas like this. pic.twitter.com/1hkif6Kq7F
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) March 27, 2017
EXCLUSIVE: The new Las Vegas Raiders logo. 😂 #NFL pic.twitter.com/j1fSOX2QqK
— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) March 27, 2017
#Raiders new motto: "Just cover, baby!" pic.twitter.com/pOuwi1sbvw
— BigHeadBS💨 (@BigHeadBS) March 27, 2017
“Are you worried about the fans?”
💰
“What about the franchise’s legacy?”
💰
“What about the gambling issue?”
💰
“What ab—“
💰💰💰— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 27, 2017
[h/t For the Win]