What Silver & Black Pride is thankful for this Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers, especially those who are spending it with us here at Silver & Black Pride. While we all sit and watch the trio of NFL games today and feed our faces (hopefully), we would like to talk about a few things we’re thankful for with a silver lining.

RDreamer

On this Thanksgiving Day I reflect on all the good things in my life, and the Raiders are involved in some way in most of them. When I took on the mighty mantle of Raiderdamus some six years ago, I did it as a lark. But it grew into something larger, and I now have a professional journalism career that I got hired for based solely on my Raiders work. I would not be in the position I am in now in my life without the Raiders, and without the support of our Fearless Leader Levi Damien and all of the millions..... AND MILLIONS of Raiderdamus' fans around the world.

Ryan Lipton

I am thankful for the Raider Nation. Honestly, there is no group of people that is more fun to watch football games with and to get in heated debates on social media with than the Raider Nation.

Growing up, I went to every game and would always look forward to each and every Sunday in the fall, especially those in Oakland, as there was nothing more special than seeing the team pull out a victory in the Black Hole. No other venue can compare to it. There have been so many memories that I have built, those that I will never forget, at the Coliseum. It is a special place and always will be and I am very thankful for each and every game I have been fortunate enough to see.

Levi Damien

This Thanksgiving, like every Thanksgiving the past 7 years, I give thanks for having known my former sportswriting partner, and great friend Patrick Patterson. On Thanksgiving Day 2010, I awoke to a phone call and learned Patrick suffered a sudden blood clot in his lung and passed away during the night. I had spoken to him just hours before.

I got my start as a sportswriter covering the Raiders at Thoughts From the Dark Side ten years ago last February. I owe everything to Patrick. He was the most kind person you could ever meet. He had to be to put up with me every day. And he happened to be a walking encyclopedia of Raiders history. I carry his legacy with me always. And every Thanksgiving I remember that first Thanksgiving I spent knowing he was gone forever while giving thanks for how my life was forever enriched for having known him.

Again, a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Cheers.