Wearing No. 24 hits different for Marcus Peters, especially in the Silver and Black.
Peters is the latest All-Pro cornerback to wear the uniform number for the Raiders, a number that was popularized by Hall of Famers Willie Brown and Charles Woodson.
Woodson happens to have been Peters' favorite cornerback growing up, and a huge reason behind him wearing the number. The Oakland, California, native saw first-hand the impact Woodson had on his hometown team and community.
"He used to be out in our Oakland streets," Peters said about Woodson. "And my pops would used to tell me stories about [Woodson] chilling and hanging out, and that's big. It's just a blessing to be able to rock a number he wore. I don't have have too many words for it, but it's a blessing."
It's still surreal for the McClymonds High School alum to be a Raider. After his tenure ended with the Baltimore Ravens, the opportunity to join the Silver and Black was too enticing to pass up.
While speaking to local media for the first time since his signing, the 30-year-old reflected on some memories the franchise brought him as a fan. Some good, and some he'd like to forget.
"The Tuck Rule – killed us man," joked Peters. "Oakland ain't been the same since. But after that, I remember my pops getting in his car and driving to San Diego to go to the Super Bowl [XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers]. It's just something that's in me. ... It's a blessing for a little kid from West Oakland to be able to put on this jersey."
"I was always a Raider," he added. "This is something that was in me, since I was a little kid."
While Peters playing for the Raiders is a feel-good story, there's more to it than just putting on the iconic uniform. He wants to win football games.
The All-Pro cornerback is a proven ballhawk in this league, with 32 career interceptions. In his eight-year playing career, he's had at least one interception every season, and has already racked up a few in Training Camp practices.
This Silver and Black defense has a focus in creating turnovers as they prepare for the upcoming season. The secondary has been flying to the football and finding every opportunity to get their hands on it when the opportunity presents himself.
"We're hungry. We want to up everything that we are going to do on defense," Peters said. "We want to show our effort. We want our communication to be displayed in our play and then our play is going to be able to show all our effort. We want to have fun doing it, at the same time. I think we're all on the same boat of, let's just come to work, keep building our camaraderie together and then be ready to put a product on the field that's Raiders.
When asked about Peters last month, superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby said he believes the cornerback is the type of player the defense will immediately feel the presence of.
"He's an alpha. I love Marcus," said Crosby. "I've known him since my rookie year, we've got the same agent. Marcus is my guy. ... I love Marcus, he brings that attitude that we need in the secondary, and I can't wait to see him get out there and keep competing because he's a dog for sure."
As a vet, Peters knows he wants to pay it forward to his new teammates. He credited Eric Berry, Justin Houston and Aqib Talib as a few of his teammates with the Kansas City Chiefs that showed him the way as a young player. Now, he's tasked with being a shining example for a young, talented secondary in Las Vegas.
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View photos of fans enjoying the second week of the Silver and Black's 2023 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) takes a selfie with a fan after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Azizi Hearn (48) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jaydon Grant (40) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Duke Shelley (23) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (29) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) and safety Roderic Teamer (33) sign autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) takes a selfie with a fan after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) takes a selfie with a fan after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) fist bumps a fan after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Raiderettes Jenna and Tatiana pose for a photo with fans before practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Raiderettes Jenna and Tatiana pose for a photo with a fan before practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders fans before practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders fans before practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Raiderettes Jenna and Tatiana pose for a photo with fans before practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders fans before practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders fans enjoy practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Members of the Boys and Girls Club pose for a photo during practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Members of After-School All-Stars pose for a photo during practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeAndre Carter (3) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brittain Brown (38) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Cam Sims (81) signs autographs for members of After-School All-Stars after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) signs autographs for members of the Boys and Girls Club after practice at 2023 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) signs autographs for members of After-School All-Stars after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) signs autographs for members of After-School All-Stars after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) poses for a photo with members After-School All-Stars and the Boys and girls Club after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (11) signs autographs for fans after practice at 2023 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
