Maybe you don't watch football, or sports, but if you do, you have your team. Mine has been a football team I used to be embarrassed to announce, The Oakland Raiders. In my family when you are born you are born a Rodriguez, as well as a Raider fan. No one has objected and we all willingly have cheered by their side for at least 25 years. Yet growing up on the Central Coast of California I found myself surrounded by San Diego Charger fans, as well as San Francisco 49er fans. Reluctantly I hid my support for the Raiders in fear of people teasing me because for the past 13 years the Raiders have not been a good, or even decent team.

The teams last visit to the NFL playoffs was in 2002, this year also happened to be the last time we went to the Superbowl and lost. Since 1960 our team has played in the playoffs 21 times and five times in the Superbowl, winning three of those games. For those of you who don't know, there are four teams in each league within the AFC and NFC. Since 2003, we have placed third and fourth. As of right now the Raiders have four wins and two losses, now tied with the Denver Broncos for first. I have never been prouder, yet nervous is a better word to describe how I am feeling.

With coincidence, this has been the first year that I have been fully dedicated to watching every game intently and paying attention to the other NFL team standings. I even considered joining the boys cross-country team's fantasy league this year. This all being said, I have become a dedicated and stressed out fan. Having a three win streak and then getting our butts kicked by the Kansas City Chiefs, who may I just say caught us on an awful day, was painful to watch.

Even so the only thing any pained fan can do is move forward and look towards the following Sunday, Monday, or Thursday game.

Sundays are solely dedicated to the hope of a win. And every year since I can remember it has been the dream to see my football team move on. Now this year I'm not even thinking about the Superbowl, maybe in another three years, but the Playoffs, that would be the dream. Tons of sports commentators have expressed the wild idea that the Raiders might be actually decent this year. I'm not hating on their surprised tones, but I am pleased that they are finally taking the time to discuss our decent team. Cooper, Crabtree, Carr. The three C's who have held this team together and will continue to do so with the help from Holmes, King, Murray, Washington and Janikowski. Of course these are only a few names to continue to look out for this season.

This past Kansas City game I found myself disappointed, and even as the announcers stated this is the fourth time in a row the Raiders have lost to them, I still was surprised. Usually in the past years losing shouldn't be a surprise, but their offense as well as their comebacks in the second half have thoroughly given me hope for the rest of the season. I think they've given all of us hope, and thus given hope I am extremely nervous for any type of disappointment.

Being a Raiders has been a rocky time. Anyone can attest to the fact that having a losing team is embarassing as well as sad to even admit to yourself that you're a fan. But man, let me tell you, getting a few solid wins under your belt makes you finally proud of that team that was once considered a joke. That my friends is why I am a Raider fan. I began a fan through my family, and I stay a fan for the team, tradition and dedication.