The History Behind the Raiders' Colors

Since their formation in 1960, the Raiders have journeyed from Oakland to Los Angeles, back to Oakland, and, finally, to their current home, Las Vegas. Love them or hate them, there are few more powerful brands in American pro sports, and their logo—a football helmet-clad pirate (reputedly modeled after actor Randolph Scott,) with a patch over his right eye, backed up by two cutlasses and placed within a black shield, with the word “Raiders” at top—is one of the most familiar trademarks anywhere. But—did you know that the silver and black started out as the gold and black? 

The Raiders’ first three seasons were abysmal—the team went 6-8, 2-12, and 1-13. In January 1963, 33 year-old Al Davis was brought in as head coach/general manager, and part of his overhaul included a rethinking of the team’s color scheme and uniforms. The team debuted the new look on September 7, 1963, in a game against the Oilers in Houston—Oakland stunned the home team 24-13 in what the San Francisco Examiner called, ‘the most astonishing performance in their four-year struggle for existence.” 

Their first home game in black and silver took place against Buffalo the following week, on September 15, 1963. The Oakland Tribune quoted one fan, who said, “they LOOK like they are going to win,” and that’s exactly what they did, by a score of 35-17. The Raiders won 10 times that season (against 4 losses,) by far their most successful campaign to date, and the silver and black has been a part of the franchise ever since.