A young Guy Fieri had a choice to make.
Fieri, now celebrity chef and "Mayor of Flavortown," came from humble beginnings in Ferndale, California. Along with it being his hometown, several major motion picture films have been shot on location including "The Majestic" and "Outbreak."
Growing up there, residents had multiple professional sports team to join in fandom, between the Oakland A's, the San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors. But arguably the most bitter rivalry between Northern California residents was between the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders.
Fieri lived approximately five hours away from the Oakland Coliseum, making it difficult to attend any games as a child. But through watching the games on television, Hall of Fame quarterback Ken "Snake" Stabler grabbed the attention and imagination of the young child in Ferndale. It was a Silver and Black fascination that has continued in Fieri for decades.
"I was just always gravitated toward the attitude of the Silver and Black. Just the whole energy," Fieri said while in attendance at a Raiders 2024 Training Camp practice with his family. "We only had 150 kids in my school, so you were either a Raider or you were a Niner. It was kind of divided, you could tell the personality of somebody if they were a Raider or were a Niner. But that's how it started."
Just as Fieri was a fan of yesteryear's teams, he's equally as excited to see what the Raiders have in store going into their home opener against the Carolina Panthers.
He describes himself as a big fan of Maxx Crosby and loves the atmosphere Head Coach Antonio Pierce has created not only with the team, but with the fan base.
"He's a player's coach," Fieri said of Pierce. "Just talking to him outside of football, hanging out one-on-one and listening to his story, listening to his passion, listening to his commitment – I have ton of admiration for what he's doing. I see all these young coaches who are out here, they're putting as much energy into the practice as the players. They're out here hustling. I've been to a bunch of training camp practices but this has such a feel to it."
Though he may not have gone to any games as a child, he's made up for it over the years. After launching several successful restaurants in the Bay Area, Fieri was finally close enough to attend dozens of games and forged relationships with many of the players he idolized as a child, including the late Stabler. He's even stopped by training camp over the years to cater meals for players, most recently bringing a troop of other celebrity chefs to the team hotel in Costa Mesa, California, and cooking a barbecue dinner.
One of his favorite gameday experiences was at the 2002 AFC Championship Game, where the Raiders decisively defeated the Tennessee Titans, 41-24. By that point Fieri had become a staple within Raider Nation for his trademark tailgate meals. Not only did he attend the game, but had a unique front row seat to see one of his favorite bands perform.
"We're standing there in the tailgate lot and someone goes, 'Hey, word is on the street is that Metallica is coming to play.' And I'm like, 'What?!'" he recalled. "So, we haul ass around the stadium and in comes this semi-truck, and they peeled back the door and there's Metallica playing. And Raider Nation is going crazy. Then, my buddy in security comes up to me and says, 'Hey, we got two field passes for you.' So now I'm down on the field, Raider Nation is blowing up. I was just standing there and it was one of the greatest moments in the world.
"This is my theory, I think everyone in the NFL wants to be as united as the Raider energy. There's just something different. Raider fans are different fans. There's a history, a lure, an energy, an attitude and a camaraderie. Just Win Baby."
As the Silver and Black prepare for their Week 3 home opener against the Carolina Panthers, take a look back at their past matchups through the years.
Raiders cornerback Eric Allen (21) returning an interception for a touchdown during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2000.
Raiders defensive back Jarrod Cooper (40) and tight end Teyo Johnson (82) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004.
Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins (5) passes to running back Tyrone Wheatley (47) during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004.
Raiders running back Tyrone Wheatley (47) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004.
Raiders running back Tyrone Wheatley (47) rushes during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004.
Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins (5) passes during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004.
Raiders wide receiver Ronald Curry (89) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004.
Raiders wide receiver Ronald Curry (89) stiff arms the defender during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004.
Raiders running back Justin Fargas (25) rushes during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Raiders defensive back Chris Johnson (37) beaks up a pass during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Raiders defensive back Rashad Baker (27) intercepts a pass during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Raiders quarterback Andrew Walter (16) passes during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) kicks a PAT during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Raiders defensive tackle Gerard Warren (61) is congratulated by linebacker Thomas Howard (53) and defensive end Trevor Scott (91) during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Raiders running back Justin Fargas (25) rushes during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016.
Raiders linebacker Miles Burris (56) sacks the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.
Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly (93) pressures the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.
Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) rushes during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.
Raiders linebacker Philip Wheeler (52) and defensive end Andre Carter (97) make a tackle during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.
Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater (80) runs after making a catch during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.
Raiders quarterback Matt Leinart (7) passes during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.
Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater (80) makes a catch during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.
Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) makes a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016.
Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) rushes during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016.
Raiders tight end Clive Walford (88) makes a 12-yard touchdown catch during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016.
Raiders defensive back Antonio Hamilton (32) makes a tackle during the regular season home game against the Carolina Panthers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) dives into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, September 13, 2020.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, September 13, 2020.
The Las Vegas Raiders try to block a kick during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, September 13, 2020.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season away game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, September 13, 2020.
