The Raiders have had their share of low moments this season, but Sunday’s frenetic comeback win over Cincinnati was one to savor.
Making the 20-17 victory even sweeter was that the day was dedicated to former teammate Marquis Cooper, who was lost at sea during the offseason. Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune writes that Cooper’s widow Rebakah, three-year-old daughter Delaney and mother Donna were all in attendance.
Linebacker Sam Williams believes that Cooper, a former special teamer, had a hand in helping rookie Brandon Myers force a kick return fumble from Andre Caldwell with under a minute to go.
“He [Cooper] caused the fumble. That was unbelievable. His wife was
here and his daughter was here,” Williams said.
Williams got a chance to speak with Cooper’s daughter before the game.
“She was excited to watch the game. She said, ‘I get to see my
daddy play!’ Man. I just spread the
word and everybody felt the emotions of that. It was special.”
First they believe his spirit is occupying a pigeon, now they believe his ghost is causing fumbles……
By the way, beyond the meta-physical crap…there was an interesting football game that was played Sunday. Might be nice to see even a few words about that.
I wonder if the Oakland brain trust are considering if they maybe hung on to Russell at QB just a wee bit too long?
I grew up in the St. Pete/Clearwater area and have spent my life out on the Gulf. This story makes me sick to my stomach every time it gets mentioned. I can’t imagine how the victims, survivor and their families have dealt with this tragedy. I know every time I’ve been on a boat since this happened, I’ve been extra cautious, thoughtful, and respectful.
R.I.P. Marquis Cooper, William Bleakley, Corey Smith…
Don’t be a douche bag asshole HarrisonHits. That last quote from the guys little girl is heart breaking. This was one of the saddest stories in a long time (about the 3 guys). I’m not sure what the pigeon thing is, but save your lame sense of humor for something else. I didn’t know about this and I’m sure neither did Cincy, but I could see them being there as adding a little spunk to the Raider players yesterday.
Good win vs. my Bengals, and I guess I’m glad for them to do something in the guys honor. Cincy will be ok… possibly a loss they needed to take now, rather than further down the road when there’s no room for learning experiences, and error.
Hats off to Oakland.
@Harrison
Let us have our moment u bastard, This is life~
I hope this win consoles Marquis Cooper’s widow in some small way, and I hope his teamates see too it his little girl is always loved and provided for. I like to think they will.
Well said joeschmoe…..hey harrison go back to your basement keep your pajamas on and wait for your mommy to make your lunch….maybe someday you will get IT!
Best weekend of football in a long time. As a Lions fan, I feel for the Browns. I definitely was amazed at the job of Stafford, and they have a long way to go before they’re good, but it’s been over a decade since I’ve seen that kind of heart out of my team.
Then there’s KC pulling it out against the Steelers. Wow, good job.
Now this Oakland game. Well done to all these teams. Nice to see teams at the bottom still playing the game hard.
Beware all teams that have to play these three teams the rest of this year. Don’t look past them or you’ll find out that they can play better than their records.
And Oakland, if the QB plays good, is a lot better than people reallize. They have a good defense, a good running game and a decent O-line. If the QB continues to play half decent, nobody better take them for granted.
P.S.
Good story about Cooper. As a Lions fan it stung us too.
Wow you guys, what HarrisonHits said wasn’t offensive at all. The “Pigeon” reference is from an earlier game where a pigeon flew in formation with the Raiders special teams during a kick off, and some players believed it was Coopers spirit. Now HarrisonHits ending his post with ….. leads to assume hes being a skeptical that Coopers Spirit is inhabiting things on earth and benefiting the Raiders. What if people just believe Coopers spirit is just in heaven watching the Raiders and what if all these other things are just coincidences? Its nice to believe a good friend is back on earth to help you, but its also nice to know a good friend is in a good place. Calm down, think about what your saying and think if jumping on anyone not seeing it your way is really honoring Marques Cooper and the other two lost.
fact is, besides sea bass, and lechler there really has been nothing “special” about our special teams this year.They have struggled under Fassels first year as coach. If MC spirits lives on in those plays, so be it, we can use the extra help.
This is a great story, and my heart goes out to the Cooper family. That’s too young and age for a little girl to lose her father. God Bless them.
Hey i’ve been telling everyone who would listen, if the raiders just had a QB who could move the ball consistently they would be a good shape. I knew what out defense could do if not put on the field 3 and out, 3 and out, 3 and out. Turnovers deep in own territory. Russell was KILLING this team thats why i was not surprised when Florio reported that pretty much everyone was behind his benching. The team knows what they can do, hats off to Gradkowski
JoeSchmoe, classy reply, you give Bengals fans a good name, thanks for the compliment, it was a very good win for us against a very talented Bengals team.
I wish you the best for the rest of the season, i hope you win your division and make a good run in the playoffs.
Very sad story about Marquis’s Daughter.
I was at the game Sunday, the change at quarterback made all the difference – the Raiders played with passion – There was no announcement in the stadium that the Cooper family was in attendance, but now I can see why the team played with some passion and determination.
Keep it going Raiders!
JoeSchmoe: Thanks for the comment, it’s nice to see some class on this site, it’s so rare.
We caught you guys looking ahead, we know that.
But we’ll take it, lol.
JoeSchmoe, as a raider fan, we all appreciate your comments and your respect for a horrible tragedy that happened this off-season regarding Marquis Cooper. For 1 day, The Cooper family might’ve felt their son, husband and father was here with them again. It was only fitting they got to leave the game with cheers of joy and maybe even some closure. R.I.P. Marquis Cooper.