As the heart and soul of the Raiders family, Raiders Alumni continue to make the organization proud with their dedication to the community, team and each other.
To exemplify the mantra "Once a Raider, Always a Raider" and continue to serve those who have worn the Silver and Black, the organization hosted its inaugural Raiders Alumni Wellness Weekend this past June at The M Resort in Henderson, Nevada.
The event was part of the Raiders Alumni Department's commitment to empowering Raiders Alumni and their families by providing resources and tools to improve their overall physical and emotional wellness.
A first of its kind in professional sports, Wellness Weekend included representation from every collectively bargained NFL benefit provider, panel discussions and expert speakers sharing their stories and knowledge on mental health, caregiver support, suicide prevention, addiction and more.
Included in the four-day event were complimentary health screenings including the NFL Player Care Foundation's Healthy Body & Mind screening provided by Tulane University Center for Sport, on-site skin cancer screenings by the Nevada Cancer Coalition and Couture Medical, and mobile on-site mammography provided by Nevada Health Centers' Mammovan.
"Wellness Weekend was more impactful than my team and I could have ever imagined," said Shannon Jordan, Vice President of Alumni Relations. "Witnessing the love, respect and vulnerability between our Alumni, their partners and teammates was truly special. I deeply appreciate every member of this team and our teammates here at the Raiders for showing relentless effort in making this event successful. We are thankful to our NFL partners for their dedication, participation and collaboration and look forward to working with them again for our 2025 event."
An expo was also hosted on-site, featuring more than 30 NFL entities and other locally owned businesses that support former player health and happiness. Wellness Weekend culminated with a celebration featuring entertainment from Oz the Mentalist.
Included in the weekend were Troy Vincent, Executive VP of NFL Football Operations, and his wife Tommi. "I've been a part of the National Football League for 15 years as a player, 15 years as an executive – I've never seen it all come together [like this]," Troy Vincent said. "This wellness weekend the Raiders have created, this community of care, this support, assistance that they've given not only alumni but their family members, their spouses. It was an incredible weekend."
While it's in the franchise's fabric to continually reach new heights, it's still not lost on or taken for granted by men who've worn the Silver and Black.
"We're one of the first teams to take care and really give their alumni resources unlike any other team in professional sports," said Lamarr Houston, former Raiders linebacker. "This says a lot about them, it says a lot about their character and how much they care about their players."
Along with the critical acclaim the event has garnered from former Raiders, it's given them more than just the opportunity to educate themselves. It's provided them yet another chance to connect with each other as gridiron brothers.
"One thing that resonates with me is check-in. Not only check-in and see how your body is doing, check and see how your mind is – but check-in and see how your teammates are," Houston said. "What's going on with them, what's current, what are things they're struggling with and dealing with. … Be a resource to your teammates, be a resource to your peers because you guys are one community and we only have each other through everything we've been through."
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