Football's Blackest Hole: A Fan's Perspective

TAKE THIS SUPER BOWL AND SHOVE IT. At least that's what Oakland Raiders' fan Craig Parker thinks. A card-carrying member of Raider Nation, Parker adds a new chapter to the written history of the Silver and Black. Writing from the too often dismissed perspective of the dedicated fan, Parker gives voice to the hopes, fears, prejudices, and fantasies of not only the usual suspects in the Black Hole, but also of the ordinary folks at home on the couch. Against the backdrop of the nearly triumphant 2002 season, Parker gloats over victories, agonizes over defeats, and exchanges insults with opposing fans (The Denver Donkies?). He recounts in detail the greatest wins in Raider history, and provides imaginative but sincere excuses for the biggest losses (The "Immaculate Deception"). Ever the paranoiac, he explains Raider Mystique and the rule changes adopted by the NFL to counter it.

Boston Herald sportswriter George Kimball states: "Parker, in any case, writes very well, has a sharp eye for detail, and remembers more than just about any sportswriter I could name." From Parker's viewpoint, Raiders football is not just a game; it's a way of life. Family loyalty is the cardinal virtue: respect Al Davis, love all current Raiders, and honor the memory of the past. Parker maintains an edgy but positive attitude throughout the book. He extols the Raiders' dedication to excellence, their emphasis on teamwork, and their amazing ability to overcome adversity brought on (mostly) by forces outside the organization. In Parker's world, even in defeat, the Raiders honor the game of football and their dedicated followers.

This book is a must read for Raider fans, as well as other football fans seeking comfort in numbers. It justifies being a fan. It reminds us of our darkest thoughts, our wildest fantasies. It brings back the glorious past, and it raises our hopes for the future.