Raider Nation Origin Stories: Meet Raymond Lujan, Las Vegas native and lifelong fan

Dec 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

A few special guests appearances at Raymond Lujan's Pop Warner football practice is what converted him into a lifelong Raiders fan.

Lujan, a Las Vegas native and member of Valley High School's 1978 NIAA state champion football team, got his first taste for the game as a Pop Warner player – on a team that was coincidentally named the Raiders. At 9 years old, he attended a football camp with his team at the newly opened Las Vegas Stadium, later renamed Sam Boyd Stadium.

The Oakland Raiders were hosts of the camp with several of their heavy hitters in attendance.

"Ken Stabler, Fred Biletnikoff, George Blanda, Otis Sistrunk, Ray Guy – they all came out to do a minicamp," Lujan said. "You've got to remember, this was 52 years ago. There were only maybe 300,000 people in the whole city. So, they come out and do a minicamp, I catch three passes from Ken Stabler – I'm done. Nine years old wearing the little Raiders helmet with [the shield] on the side. If you're not a fan then, then I don't know what the deal is."

The three passes from the eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer have led to five decades of fandom for Lujan. The entirety of his family have also joined him in becoming a part of Raider Nation. He's attended games with his brother for over 35 years from Oakland Coliseum to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to now, Allegiant Stadium. He's also attended the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies with his children of multiple Raiders, including the late John Madden, Tim Brown, Charles Woodson and Tom Flores.

Something that Lujan has in common with fellow superfan and celebrity chef Guy Fieri – their favorite Raiders game experience involves tailgating at the 2002 AFC Championship Game.

"I'm there with my four buddies and we got there early and we're walking around the stadium. My buddy goes, 'Metallica is playing in the parking lot!'" Lujan recalled. "So, we go out there and Metallica was on a 18-wheeler flat bed playing before the AFC Championship Game. It was incredible."

Lujan was astonished when rumblings began regarding his favorite team relocating to his hometown, even attending city commission meetings and speaking on behalf of what the Silver and Black would bring to the desert. He became a full-time season ticket holder shortly after Allegiant Stadium broke ground, excited at having the opportunity to see his team play right down the road.

Like a lot of fans, the Raiders have provided him with so much more than wins and losses on the football field. It's given him lifelong friends and family that are equally invested in the team's patented "Commitment to Excellence."

"The Raider Nation, I tell people we get a bad rap. ... But in all actuality, we're probably some of the nicest and kindest people you'll ever meet," he said. "I tailgate every game. You can be walking by and not know anybody and you can get a sandwich, a beer, a soda, a water, you just ask anybody.

"The Raiders fans, they love their team. I still say we're some of the greatest fans in the world – win, lose or draw. We're still there for them."

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A view of toys set up in the locker room for youth community members to choose from during the Raiders Youth Holiday Party at Allegiant Stadium.