LAS VEGAS -- A year ago, Mark Davis stood at the northern end of Allegiant Stadium in the shadow of the massive Al Davis Torch and welcomed the Las Vegas Raiders players to their new home. The team owner called it the Death Star, "Where our opponents' dreams come to die."
Alas, the Raiders went 2-6 in their new digs and Davis, in a show of solidarity with fans -- who were not allowed into the venue for games last season with the COVID-19 pandemic raging and no vaccine available yet -- stayed away from home games.