Raiderettes reign over Raiderville and cheer on their team to a home debut week 2 win

The first signs of the significant influence of the Oakland Raiderettes, Football’s Fabulous Females, prior to last Sunday’s home win against Jacksonville was the presence of scores of uniformed Junior Raiderettes (perhaps Gridiron’s Gifted Girls?), from tots to teens, excitedly heading to their on-field performance appointment through the parking lots and from the BART station on their way to the Coliseum. In addition, it was clear that the Raiderettes reign over Raiderville, from every angle. Raiderville is the pre-game entertainment experience where Raider Nation converges to get their daily recommended requirements of Silver and Black before they head to their seats.

On stage, there was Jeanette Thompson, who hosts the Raiders “Behind the Shield” video series and is the Raiderettes Director, as she interviewed former Raiders from distinct Oakland Super Bowl eras, Lincoln Kennedy and Otis Sistrunk. “J” as her interviewees fondly referred to her, had to use some of that footwork she demonstrated on the sidelines as a Raiderette herself, in a figurative sense, to keep those two in line telling stories from wild Raiders days during a fun discussion of Raiders past, present, and future.

Meanwhile, heads turned, as the swoosh of silver poms was heard at the entrance of Raiderville. Eight Raiderettes entered the tented autograph area, as fans lined up for their autographs next to the Raiderville stage. Caitlin, Althea, Leah, and Marcy signed autograph cards, as Raider fans young and old swooned with delight.

But at the core of the Raiderettes is entertainment. After Jeanette wrapped up her stage time with the Raiders legends, it was time to get the crowd energized as four Raiderettes hit the stage for a performance for the Raiderville crowd.

After their performance, the Raiderettes perpetual motion machine was in full force, as they headed off to the stadium. Some of the Raiderettes performed on the field as the Raiders left the locker room, and also, the pre-game performance encompassing the entire field was the Raiderettes joined by their young junior counterparts, as proud parents clicked away to photograph their daughters on center stage.

The Raiderettes returned to midfield as the halftime entertainment, as each Raiderette was introduced by name, culminating with those with the longest tenure, including six year veteran Natalie.

The Raiderettes performed on the sidelines, on the field, near the goal line, as silver popped across the stadium. The Raiders had no trouble keeping the Jacksonville offense in check, and easily won 19-9. But come on Raiders, we need more than one touchdown to see the complete Raiderette celebration. No matter what, the Raiderettes are one of the most airborn squads there can be, often punctuating energizing moves with high jumps to electrify the crowd.

So, are the Raiderettes as fabulous as they claim? Nope, “Fantabulous to the n’th degree” does not even come close to the importance of the Raiderettes to Raider Nation. So here they are, Football’s Fabulous Females, 2013 edition: