OAKLAND, Calif. — Their reputation is notorious, these NFL versions of hooligans, the action on the field often a sidelight to more vicious violence in the stands.
Some of them are downright scary looking, dressed in black, covered with piercings, neck and face tattoos, scowls straight off a mug shot.
But as a buddy and I waded into the depths of Oakland Coliseum's Black Hole, a sense of camaraderie, not fear enveloped us.
"I feel comfortable here," I said.
"These are our people," Peter Elorduy responded.
He nailed it.
As kids, Elorduy and I rode to Raiders games with our dads to watch the Snake, the Ghost and the Mad Stork.