Question Session With Charles Woodson
Silver & Black Illustrated|January 2020
‘You think about all the things that made it special’
Question Session With Charles Woodson

Like the Raiders, Woodson did two tours in Oakland, first as a precocious but ridiculously talented young star from 1998-2005 and then as a Super Bowl champion who was convinced to come back after being greeted by a throng of silver-and-black wearing fans who cheered his arrival at the team’s long-time headquarters in Alameda, Calif.

Woodson spent the final three seasons of his Hall-of-Fame career with the Raiders, earning the last of his nine trips to the Pro Bowl in 2015. Woodson is so beloved in Oakland that after his last game at the Coliseum, against the San Diego Chargers on Christmas Eve 2015 (a game that the Raiders won 23-20), Woodson was given a microphone and addressed the screaming crowd, flashed the familiar O symbol, then led the fans in a raucous chant of ‘Raaaaaaaaaaiiiideerrrs….. Raaaaaaaaaaiiiideerrrs!’

Fittingly, Woodson was chosen to light the Al Davis Memorial Torch for the final Raiders game ever at the Coliseum prior to the Week 15 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 15.

Woodson spent the days leading up to the game at the Raiders headquarters in Alameda filming a segment for the NFL Films series ‘The Grind.’ Woodson was only half-kidding when he joked with Raiders media relations director Will Kiss about running into issues getting clearance from the PR department to do so.

Before leaving the locker room, Woodson paused to talk with reporters. Although it was tempting to write a story about it, we thought it best to let Woodson do the talking himself. It is one of his best traits, something he didn’t do nearly enough of when playing. Back then he was more tuned in to playing the game. But when he did speak, it was worth every second. Just like this time.

Q: What do you anticipate the final game at the Coliseum will be like?

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SILVER & BLACK ILLUSTRATEDView all
‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'
Silver & Black Illustrated

‘We have to be a much more detailed football team'

Like so many Raiders fans, coach Jon Gruden found himself searching for answers after the Raiders’ second-half collapse that cost the team a spot in the expanded playoffs.

time-read
7 mins  |
February - March 2021
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Silver & Black Illustrated

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Starting Tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
Wanted: Defensive coordinator
Silver & Black Illustrated

Wanted: Defensive coordinator

The Raiders didn’t wait long to begin their search for a new defensive coordinator, and it’s becoming clear that Jon Gruden has already narrowed his list down.

time-read
6 mins  |
February - March 2021
Raiders' good, bad, ugly
Silver & Black Illustrated

Raiders' good, bad, ugly

Raiders’ good, bad, ugly

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
NEWS & NOTES
Silver & Black Illustrated

NEWS & NOTES

The Raiders had one of the easier schedules in 2020 and got only eight wins to show for it. Things won’t get any easier in 2021, either.

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
Looking back at 2020 season
Silver & Black Illustrated

Looking back at 2020 season

The 2020 season will absolutely be remembered for being one of the strangest and most disappointing in franchise history.

time-read
6 mins  |
February - March 2021
Gruden feeling the heat?
Silver & Black Illustrated

Gruden feeling the heat?

“I know there is a big bull’s-eye on my chest, certainly. If the people want to use that as an incentive, then so be it. I worked for Al Davis in 1998. That was pressure. I was 34 years old. I’ve dealt with pressure before. I don’t really feel pressure. I love the excitement and thrill of competing, and I can’t worry about things I can’t control in that regard. I know people will want to step on me and beat me, and that is just the way this league is.”

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards
Silver & Black Illustrated

From the SILVERANDBLACK.com Message Boards

S&BI continually scans the message boards across Raider Nation to see what Raider fans are talking about now that the 2020 season has ended for the Raiders. We chose some of the better posts and present them here.

time-read
6 mins  |
February - March 2021
Checklist for 2021
Silver & Black Illustrated

Checklist for 2021

Now that the 2020 season has been put to rest for Las Vegas, the Raiders have shifted their focus to what figures to be a busy offseason as they prepare for 2021.

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021
AFC WEST ROUNDUP
Silver & Black Illustrated

AFC WEST ROUNDUP

The Chargers fired coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons.

time-read
3 mins  |
February - March 2021