Why the Raiders are all in on building a new legacy with Las Vegas HBCU Classic

The Las Vegas Raiders are hosting the Las Vegas HBCU Classic, featuring Jackson State against Grambling State, at Allegiant Stadium. This event aims to celebrate and promote Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) while continuing the legacy of late Raiders owner Al Davis, who was known for his commitment to diversity. The Raiders have historically recruited over 80 players from HBCUs, including Hall of Famers like Willie Brown and Art Shell.

The initiative is also part of the Raiders' plan to establish an annual HBCU game on the West Coast, highlighting cultural aspects such as the schools' bands and alumni events. The Raiders are working closely with both universities and the city of Las Vegas to promote the game and foster a traditional HBCU game day experience. Piper Overstreet-White, a senior vice president for the Raiders, noted the organization's dedication to this initiative as a continuation of Davis' legacy.

Grambling State and Jackson State are prominent teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference,