Skulls, masks, spiked shoulders, face paint, bared teeth, chains and macabre imagery capable of leaving even those with the thickest of skin quaking in their cleats.
Each fall, the blood-curdling coterie makes its home in the same spot, waiting for the arrival of their next victims and providing them an alternative definition of the Sunday Scaries. Collectively, they taunt and terrorize unwelcome visitors under a moniker befitting of their reputation: The Black Hole.
Yes, Raiders fans are a scary bunch. Who needs Halloween when you can dress up like monsters and spook the opposing team and its fans on a weekly basis?
For those too afraid to gaze into The Black Hole with their own eyes, we’ve curated a slideshow of the most fearsome fans.
Enter if you dare.
The Raiders fans comprising The Black Hole relish their antagonistic role, calling themselves "football's most notorious fans." (Eric Risberg/AP Photo)
How fitting that "Chucky," coach Jon Gruden's alter ego borrowed from the murderous doll of the same name in the "Child's Play" horror franchise, would find its place among the Black Hole faithful. (D. Ross Cameron/AP Photo)
Where do you think this friendly looking gentleman found his collection of skulls? Do you really want to know? (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
This intimidating fan's yellowing teeth seem to suggest they've had a head start on Halloween candy. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)
This fellow's shield protects him from evil spirits, like opposing fans. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
It's a mystery how this frightening fan will drink the beer with such an eerie visage. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
This Vader Raider finds your lack of faith in the team disturbing. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
This luchador-masked individual lives and breathes all things Raiders. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
What's more Halloween than skulls on each shoulder and a third coming out of your chest? (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
No joke: this jarring jester shaking hands with a more modest, jersey'd fan is quite the juxtaposition. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
More jesters and skulls. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @HeidiFang
The facepainting industry in Oakland must make a killing, particularly silver and black paint with skull designs. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Seriously, so many skulls. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
May your Halloween season be safe and spooky, Raider Nation, and may your elaborate costumes find use for more than one day per year. (AP Photo/Ben Margot/AP Photo)
The Raiders aren’t going to make national headlines with their draft class, but it was clear they had a plan and executed it by identifying versatility and elite traits.
The Raiders wrapped up their first NFL draft under John Spytek and Pete Carroll with an 11-player class, including quarterback Cam Miller of North Dakota State.
Raiders general manager John Spytek, when asked Friday about drafting a quarterback, said: “So far, it hasn’t fallen our way with the evaluations we’ve had.”
The Raiders drafted TCU wide receiver Jack Bech, whose brother, Tiger, was among 14 people killed in a terrorist attack early on New Year’s Day in New Orleans.
Running back Ashton Jeanty arrived in Las Vegas on Friday for the first time as a member of the Raiders, who took him with the sixth pick in the NFL draft.
Shedeur Sanders was not selected in the first round of the NFL draft, and he still could be available when the Raiders pick in the second round Friday.
Ashton Jeanty is a phenomenal player whose character might be more impressive than the highlight reels he created at Boise State. But none of that means he was the right pick for the Raiders on Thursday.
The Raiders, for the second straight year, bucked conventional wisdom in the first round of the NFL draft. They can only hope they get the last laugh again.
