Family and football have always been intertwined for Jena Magallanes, the Raiders' 2024 Fan of the Year.
"My dad had been a Raiders fan since he was about 13," she said. "Then when I was born, my first Raiders jersey - there's a photo of me [at] two months old and he's holding me on Super Bowl Sunday, and I have a Raiders jersey on. He just raised me up in this fandom and it has brought a lot of great memories to us.
"It's definitely a big part of our relationship. If I'm going to a game, it had always been with my dad until I moved off to college. But also, it keeps us in touch. We're always talking about the Raiders, always talking about football. Every Sunday I have my phone in my hand and we're texting back and forth after every single play."
While Magallanes' love for the Silver and Black traces back to her father, it didn't take long for her own persona, "La Muerta," to emerge.
"In 2016, when I went to my first game in Oakland, I met Grim Raider, who was actually a big inspiration for La Muerta. Two seasons later, he actually sold my dad his tickets in the Black Hole and my dad surprised me with them. I just knew that I had to paint my face, I had to do Grim Raider proud.
"There's a big Hispanic culture within Raider Nation and I just think the sugar skulls are such a beautiful part of that culture. So that's when it all started, and I haven't looked back since."
Magallanes got her inspiration for La Muerta - which translates to "the dead woman" - from her love for Dia de Los Muertos.
"For me, it was an easy pick as to who I would become and who my persona would be to honor that culture as well."
On gamedays, the transition from Jena to La Muerta requires a careful and elaborate routine.
"It starts really early, especially if I'm with my dad. We get there when the tailgate opens and so that's waking up at 6 a.m., doing the hair first, getting the hair out of the way. Then doing the makeup, double checking with my dad. 'Does this look good? Is this in place? Is it straight?' And then getting down to the smaller details on my face and making sure that it's all symmetrical and that it doesn't get messed up. Then putting the jersey on over that is a little bit of a different story, but we make it work. Then the hat and then it's gametime."
Living in Las Vegas, Magallanes' enthusiasm for supporting the Raiders extends far beyond the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium.
She drives a car with a host of Raiders stickers on the outside and a line of Raiders hats on the back windshield. Walk into her office and you'll find a John Madden poster.
There's no questioning where her allegiance lies and to be able to represent such a diverse, passionate fan base as the Silver and Black's 2024 Fan of the Year is something Magallanes doesn't take for granted.
"There's always been a stigma of Raider fans that we're a little rough around the edges," she said. "But once you get to know Raider Nation, we're one big family. Everybody takes care of each other, and everybody represents unapologetically."
"I got the call, and I think I was in complete shock and then the tears started because I was just so excited," she added. "I honestly was just so grateful to have this amazing opportunity because I do love the Raiders so much. I love the game of football so much."
To vote Jena for 2024 NFL Fan of the Year, click here.
