Some wounds heal faster than others. For the Las Vegas Raiders, or at least whoever runs the team’s Twitter account, a nearly 21-year-old wound is still fresh. And moments after the Raiders’ stunning last-second Week 15 victory over the New England Patriots, the wound was revisited.
In January 2002, the Patriots hosted the then-Oakland Raiders in the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs. The Raiders seemed to secure victory with a Charles Woodson strip-sack of Tom Brady. But the ruling of a fumble was changed to an incomplete pass due to the now famous (or infamous) Tuck Rule. Adam Vinatieri then kicked a game-tying field and later won the game with another kick in overtime. Since then, the two franchises have gone in dramatically different directions.
More than 20 years later, the Raiders have changed homes. But that hasn’t changed the franchise’s attitude about that play. When the game was over, the Raiders tweeted out a picture that included a message on a chalkboard. The message had four words — “It was a fumble.”
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 19, 2022
For the most part, this was pretty well received.
Again https://t.co/HBkLwCzJBS
— Dustin.X (@D_Kendrick633) December 19, 2022
Not surprised hahaha #RaiderNation https://t.co/0qpx0Kcsr9
— Donald Blais Jr. (@DonBlais85) December 19, 2022
Yes. Yes it was. https://t.co/0KoJEb89Py
— Robbin Scarberry 🏁🇺🇸🏁 (@RobbinScarberry) December 19, 2022
Even the Raiders are mocking us 😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/yn3F9eZK24
— Melissa Eannuzzo (@RadioMelissa) December 19, 2022
— Lenny Mendonca (@Lenny_Mendonca) December 19, 2022
Of course, not everyone saw the humor in it.
Then where's your Super Bowl rings? https://t.co/oTdYk0Yray
— Dart_Adams (@Dart_Adams) December 19, 2022
Before the wild ending, Sunday’s game had its own share of controversy. Las Vegas tied the game with a late touchdown reception by Keelan Cole.
The Raiders tie it!
Keelan Cole was ruled inbounds after review. 🏈🤔pic.twitter.com/F7DBQ5EXsN
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 19, 2022
While replays showed that Cole might have stepped out of bounds, no definitive angle could be found and the ruling was upheld.
So, maybe the Raiders were enjoying the fact that this time, they benefited from a controversial ruling against the Patriots. Maybe they were simply enjoying the wild win. Maybe they were just bringing up a play from almost 21 years ago that still resonates within the organization. Or, maybe it was some combination of things. The Raiders, though, are enjoying this one.
[Las Vegas Raiders on Twitter]
About Michael Dixon
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