15 memorable moments in Oakland Raiders history
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell delivered the sobering news in a letter to Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf on Saturday that the league and its teams have concluded there is no viable option to keep the Raiders in Oakland.
The league's owners will vote Monday on a proposal for the Raiders to move to Las Vegas, and all indications are that it will pass.
With the team's second stint in Oakland apparently coming to a close, theScore reflects on 15 of the most memorable moments in Oakland Raiders history:
1963
On Jan. 15, Al Davis is named the head coach and general manager of the Raiders. Davis climbed the ranks from assistant coach to head coach to general manager to AFL commissioner to, finally, owner of the Raiders. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
1966
The new home of the Raiders - the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum - opens for the first time. The facility remains the team's home stadium.
1967
The Raiders go 13-1 and post the best record in the AFL. They go on to win the AFL Championship in a 40-7 blowout of the Houston Oilers. Oakland would lose Super Bowl II against the Green Bay Packers, however.
1968
On Nov. 17, the Raiders record a stunning comeback, scoring two touchdowns in nine seconds to defeat the New York Jets. The game is of particular significance because the comeback wasn't seen on television in the Oakland market. NBC had cut to the movie "Heidi" with 65 seconds left, in order to stick to previously scheduled programming. It's since been known as the "Heidi" game.
1969
John Madden replaces John Rauch as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, and he goes on to have a successful 10-year stint with the team, authoring a record of 103 wins, 32 losses, and seven ties.
1972
In a divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Raiders take a 7-6 lead with 1:13 left in the game, before Franco Harris makes an infamously controversial reception on a pass deflection. Harris' 60-yard touchdown, which became known as "The Immaculate Reception," gives the Steelers the 13-7 victory.
1973
Oakland hands the Miami Dolphins their first loss since their undefeated season in 1972 - one of the only two losses the Dolphins suffered in another Super Bowl-winning season.
1977
After losing in the conference title game the previous three seasons, the Raiders defeat the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 9 to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
1981
In his second year as head coach, Tom Flores leads the Raiders to their second Super Bowl triumph, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10.
1995
The Raiders return to Oakland after spending 13 seasons in Los Angeles. A ceremony is held to announce the relocation in the locker room of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
1998
The Raiders select Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson in the NFL draft. The defensive star went on to play 18 seasons - 11 of them with the Raiders.
2002
The Raiders led their divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots 13-10 with less than two minutes to play when a sack-fumble by Woodson on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was overturned, as it was determined Brady made a throwing motion on the play. The Patriots would go on to win "The Tuck Rule Game" in overtime.
Just one month after the heartbreaking loss, the Raiders trade head coach Jon Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for four draft picks and $8 million.
2003
The Raiders return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1984. Standing on the opposite sidelines is the coach they traded away a year ago, Gruden, whose Buccaneers dominate the Raiders to claim Super Bowl XXXVII.
2016
Oakland ends a string of 13 consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance. Backed by ascending stars Derek Carr, Khalil Mack, and Amari Cooper, the Raiders qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
- With h/t to Raiders.com