As Las Vegas faces an event that will forever change it, and its residents, family, friends, and football can help. Las Vegas needs Raider Nation’s support. And I know they’ll give it.
When the Raiders lost their game Sunday in Denver, the last thing that went through my mind sitting here in Las Vegas was I would be shelving any interest in the team over the next several days. Running a new website focused on Raider Nation – and the team’s move to Las Vegas in three years – means lots of work, focus, and love. It means you live and breathe the Silver and Black each day. Yet, external events would change that.
With each passing hour, it became very real to me our community is forever changed. We didn’t ask for it to be but it is changed, inexplicably, for all time.
The events of Sunday, October 1, 2017, will forever change our city and change me. But as I said in that post game story after the Denver loss, all is not lost – and the same can be said for reeling Las Vegas.
For those of you in Raider Nation outside of Las Vegas, it’s hard to understand the closeness of this community. There are many misconceptions about Las Vegas, and none more than people here are too transient and not involved in their community. As you can see from the reaction to this mass murder on The Strip, it’s false.
— LV Raiders Report (@lvraidersreport) October 2, 2017
Las Vegas is in the midst of another renaissance. Not only has the housing market and business environment recovered from the deep and depressing days of the 2008 recession, so many great things have happened here – including major league sports betting on Nevada. First, the NHL’s Golden Knights, and then the Raiders. It’s been an exciting and bustling year for those of us that call it home.
Then, in over an hour, a crazed lunatic fractured the peaceful existence most of us live. It’s impossible to talk to someone here who wasn’t impacted by Sunday’s tragedy. Despite reaching 2 million residents, Las Vegas is still small. The interconnectedness of the hospitality industry, coupled with a young, diverse, and growing population, means everyone is close. With multiple shifts, a 24-hour industry, and its growth, it is true you sometimes do get disconnected from neighbors here. Yet whenever there is a community need, or something goes awry, we all stand up and support each other.
With each passing hour, it became very real to me our community is forever changed. We didn’t ask for it to be but it has changed inexplicably for all time.
Truth is, outside of taking my kids to school yesterday, I didn’t leave the house. I was in mourning and shocked for my community. With each passing hour, it became very real to me our community is forever changed. We didn’t ask for it to be but it has changed inexplicably for all time.
After not sleeping for almost 36 hours, I finally was able to clear my mind enough to get some last night. As I woke this morning, to get back into the everyday routine, the sadness and anger also became plain. We love our Las Vegas and the fact someone so evil could take a piece of us away will be hard to overcome anytime soon.
I am here to ask you to put your petty politics aside for just a while to reach out and help, support, and think about Las Vegas. Leave you partisanship for another time.
Everyone knows the house always wins in Las Vegas. If you had to bet on whether my town will recover fully from this heinous act, I can tell you, the best bet is yes. Las Vegas is a tough town filled with hard-nosed, hard-working, faithful people. They roll up their sleeves and do what needs to be done and this will be no different. Don’t believe those who know nothing of its values, its neighborhoods, or its people.
Heart of the Raider Nation goes out to Las Vegas: https://t.co/ZBSPSAWRWx pic.twitter.com/clLc6xkE4l
— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) October 2, 2017
The acts of everyday heroism – by our first responders and the victims themselves, are engrained in my mind. Their stories will be told and you will marvel at the sheer selflessness. They lift up all humanity during a time when an evil one of their own reigns terror on them from above. Thank a first responder anytime you can. They are the helpers and helpers always do more good than bad.
I am here to ask you to put your petty politics aside for a while to reach out and help, support, and think about Las Vegas. Leave your partisanship for another time.
I am still too numb to even express here how it feels. The words are not flowing as as they should. I’ve been writing my entire life and find it hard to capture the full range of emotions we all feel on the ground here. That will change over time, I am sure.
Yet, I am compelled to write. I am compelled to ask you to remember everyone here in your thoughts and prayers. I am here to ask you to remember the 59 people and their families who will never be whole again. I am here to ask you to remember the 527 people still trying to live and recover from this senseless act.
I am here to ask you to put your petty politics aside for a while to reach out and help, support, and think about Las Vegas. Leave your partisanship for another time.
I am here to ask the family that is Raider Nation to continue to support us. The team, the fans, and the world have been amazing thus far.
For me, I can’t wait to get back to writing about Raiders football.
First, I need to help our community to begin to heal.
How Can You Help?
- Official Victims Fund (Created by Sherriff Lombardo and Commissioner Sisolak)
- United Blood Services