Badasses: The Legend of Snake, Foo, Dr. Death, and John Madden's Oakland Raiders

by Peter Richmond

A book that explores the enduring legends of Snake, Foo, Dr. Death, and John Madden’s Oakland Raiders, Badasses is the definitive biography of arguably the last team to play old-fashioned tough-guy football. Peter Richmond, co-author of the New York Times bestseller The Glory Game, offers a fascinating look at the 1970s Oakland Raiders, led by colorful greats from another Ken Stabler, Willie Brown, Gene Upshaw, Jim Otto, Art Shell, head coach John Madden, and owner Al Davis. In the bestselling vein of Boys Will Be Boys, Badasses chronicles the bar-room exploits, practice-field pranks, and Super Bowl glories of the team’s many misfits, cast-offs, psychos, and geniuses of the game.

Genres: Sports, Football, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Audiobook

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Reviews

[Josh Liller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a Raiders fan, but I am a football fan. I was loosely familiar with the legend of the colorful characters of the 1970s Raiders and long ago I read one of Madden's books. I have no problem acknowledging the Madden Raiders (or Madden-Flores Raiders) as one of the better dynasties in NFL history - not in contention for greatest, but certainly up there (without making an actual list, I would say Top 20 for sure, although probably not Top 10).

Peter Richmond looks at the pinnacle of the Raiders dynasty, from the Immaculate Reception (or Deception, as he prefers to call it) to their victory over the Vikings in Super Bowl XI (so Dec 1972 to Jan 1977). Much of the book is based on the author's interviews with Al Davis, John Madden, and most of the surviving big names from those years (a few notably declined to be interviewed for the book). The games are secondary to the players - their antics and backstories. The background of Davis and Madden are also covered.

Richmond is unabashedly a Raiders fan and his bias sometimes shows. He also beats the "badass" theme/mantra into the ground. However, the book is a generally enjoyable and sometimes amusing read. The Raiders come off as a motley, but passionate team. It's at least decent history and good entertainment.

Recommended for any football fan.

[John Devlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little rah-rah, a bit over the top with the veneration and the badassery, but anyone who remembers this team will find this biography warming.

Only at the end does the author take out his knives and go at the NFL and what he sees as the corporatization of the game, and though the comments have all been said before, prefaced as they are with the singular team that was Madden’s Raiders, the condemnation carries more weight.

[Taylor Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best football book I have ever read. A true tell all book from the "Badass" years of the Oakland Raiders. Many of the players were able to interview, and their stories were priceless. The Oakland Raiders in the 1970's were real football, from a time when most sports were considered blue collar. The Raiders were a team that was consistently in the NFL playoffs, and their battles with the Pittsburgh Steelers became a staple for fans to look forward too. The hatred between both teams was on extreme levels, sometimes sending players to the hospital. The NFL and the game of football was so different back then. It was just beginning to be commercialized. The author, Peter Richmond did a great job of creating a mood with each chapter. Chapters focused on winning gave off a very positive vibe, and chapters focused on the struggles, losses and problems were very negative. The book was extremely well written. As I mentioned, the author did a tremendous job creating a mood with the turn of each page. He separated elements within the chapter well, making both transitions from player stories and interviews back to what was going on during which season was taking place through the chapter. The book is broken up into 2 parts, which makes sense because there is a lot of background information needed in a book like this, especially this one that is over such a long time period. Overall, I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes football, but it is a bit of read topping out at just under 400 pages. In the end, it was worth the money I spent to buy it.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for nothing did the NFL Network cite the number one feud in the history of the league as "Oakland Raiders Versus the World."

[Tom Gase · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sports book about the Oakland Raiders in the 1970's. This book has it all; great reporting, great writing, and awesome stories about such Raiders with nicknames such as the Assassin, Snake, Foo, Dr. Death, Tooz and Pinky just to name a few.

The author, Peter Richmond, did not leave anyone out. He tried, and most of the time was sucessful in interviewing EVERYONE that was on those Raider teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins get most of the credit of being the best teams in the decade, but the Raiders should get mentioned just as much. They played in six straight AFC Championship games during the decade.

Richmond starts the book with the Immaculate Reception game in late 1972. In that game Steeler running back Franco Harris catches a ball for a touchdown to win a playoff game in what has been hailed as possibly the NFL's top moment in its existence. This game was just one of what became many controversial endings for the Raiders, most of them resulting in a loss. Richmond then continues to tell the story on how the Raiders constantly brought in new pieces to the puzzle over the decade to fill a great team, that after constantly falling short, finally won a title in 77.

I recommend this book to any fan of the NFL, and it's a must-read for any Raiders fan. Well done, I look forward to Richmond's next book.

[Steve Rabideau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since my team has a history of futility(Go Loins) and doesn't warrant a book detailing their history, I have to read about the colorful history of other teams I don't despise(Boooo Packers). This book was a good interesting read for a football fan. Especially a Raiders fan. Really detailed and well written. I wish it would have gone on to recount the teams history a little further(it basically stops after John Maddens coaching time is done) it was still an interesting read. I slightly preferred the similar book on the Cowboys(Boys Will Be Boys), but that may just be because their history is a little crazier due to the era, and because I am not old enough to have seen the "Badass" era of the Raiders play in anything but highlight reels, where I saw the Cowboys 90's dynasty in real time. I recommend if you are a fan of football, especially 70's NFL, pick it up.

[John Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is highly readable and a good solid history of a unique football team. But, my goodness, I think the author had in his book contract a provision that he would collect some extra money for every use of the terms "Badass" or "Badasses". I was shocked when I would read 3 consecutive pages and not see the word used.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what this story is about, it perfectly hits on a small period of time in Oakland Raider history. Not too in depth but just the right amount of information to give you a good insight to the XI Super Bowl champs. If you are a raider fan, it's a must read.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author takes the reader back to the seventies when the Oakland Raiders were always among the best teams in the NFL while definitely having the most fun. Truly a unique collection of athletes, ownership, and coaching staff that will never be replicated.

[Thomas Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great insight about the good old days of the Raiders mystique, but it also did too much hailing them as gods.

[David Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BADASS! Great book from start to finish and would extremely recommend to another Raider fan.

[Adam Carman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective for those who love football and love history. The Raiders of the 70s were a fascinating group.

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “GREATNESS IS ONE THING; LEGEND IS ANOTHER; AND MYTH IS STILL A THIRD.”
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The Oakland Raiders regular season record during Hall Of Fame coach John Madden’s tenure (1969-1978) was 103 wins 32 losses and 7 ties. That was a better record than even the illustrious Vince Lombardi. When Madden took over they won seven division titles in the first eight seasons. “Between 1970 and 1977 they played in six AFC Championship games and won the Super Bowl to end the 1976 season.” This wonderfully idiosyncratic look at the Raiders of those years include everything from the history of Hall Of Fame owner Al Davis to John Madden to all the lovable “BLACK AND SILVER” players… including many Hall Of Famers… and some who should definitely be in the Hall Of Fame also. The author, a Raider fan at least since his east coast college days, lovingly refers to the team known worldwide as *THE-SILVER-AND-BLACK” as the “BLACK AND SILVER”… over and over… and over again. And any fan can understand the author’s individual nickname for them. For any fan who loves… and I mean loves… his favorite sports team… undoubtedly has some picayunish… unique… clever… at least in their own mind… nickname for their team. Some are born from superstition… some are born by a mispronouncement… or misunderstanding… or even a bolt of lightning. But any diehard fan… always has a unique personal nickname or phrase for their beloved team. One of the highlights… in a book overflowing with highlights… is the author spewing such an unrelenting, heartfelt love and adoration for his *BLACK AND SILVER* that any true football fan regardless of their favorite team can’t help but share the joy of a football love that has no boundaries.

This is a book for any football aficionado. I have read… reviewed… and loved books on the Steelers… the Packers… da Bears… the Colts… the Saints… et al. you can check my prior reviews for proof. So for me to highly recommend a sports book, it absolutely does not have to be about my favorite team or player. Now, it so happens I’m a Raider fan, and in fact I am an original and continuous PSL season ticket holder since they returned to Oakland sixteen years ago… but that’s not why I strongly recommend this book. All sports including football have changed (in my opinion) for the worse in the last forty years… so this book lets you travel back in time to share beers… brawls… wins… and losses… with probably the greatest collection of whacko’s… brawlers… and believe it or not… highly educated band of outsiders in a team sport in modern times. The author has meticulously combined quotes from forty years ago… and included up to the minute interviews with many of the players and Coach Madden. The love and respect they have for each other after all these years is amazing. In fact the author states that not one single player interviewed all these years later had even one single negative thing to say about Madden. And everyone including Al Davis states that there was no other coach but Madden that could have possibly lead these castoffs and free thinkers to the heights of victory they accomplished.

There are so many great stories from their yearly pre-season training camps… that players looked so forward to… that most of them showed up days earlier than required. They loved football… and they loved the Raider family, which in training camp included bar hopping… drinking beer by the *PITCHER*… bowling tournaments, air hockey tournaments (with cheating allowed)… women… women… sneaking out after bed checks… Hall Of Famers showing up on the practice field riding a horse… streakers… and players like Hall Of Famers, Fred Biletnikoff, and Willie Brown (Just some of the eventual Raider Hall Of Famers.)... and should be Hall Of Famers, Ken “Snake” Stabler… Ray Guy… Cliff Branch… Jack Tatum… stayed hours after practice… to practice more… because one thing you’ll learn in this book, is that sure… the Raiders of those days liked to party… but they loved to win… and simply loved the game of football even more than partying.

The backgrounds of all the important and not so important *SILVER-AND-BLACK” / “BLACK-AND-SILVER” players are covered so the reader gets a personal insight into how players known as *THE ASSASSIN*… *THE HIT MAN*… *DOCTOR DEATH*… *FOO*… *THE STORK*… *THE ROOSTER*… *THE GOVERNOR*… *THE TOOZ*… *BOOMER*… *THE GHOST*… and sooo many more… made the Raiders one of the greatest teams in history… and you’ll fully understand when a player… even after being traded… says… “ONCE YOU’RE A RAIDER… YOU’RE A RAIDER FOR LIFE!”

[Xenophon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The football gods couldn't stand Madden's Badasses, but the heroes proved too legendary to deny in 1970.

Likewise, I didn't want to give this book five stars. I'm a Buffalo Bills fan who never had a special love for the silver and black. All I wanted to do was learn more about John Madden's coaching career because I had no idea the man was the Oakland Raiders' coach until Christmas Day of 2021; just a few days before he died (writing it down here to preserve the memory, lest I forget).

But like a lot of folks, I was swept away from this team. Peter Richmond tells a masterful story of how the team was founded and built by Al Davis. Everything is here: legendary off-the-field antics, short-form biographies, detailed descriptions of the games that make you feel you were there (or at least shouting at the screen with a can of Miller lite in your hand).

The beginning of the book has a little meditation on the definition of legend stretching back to ancient Greece. As a recent Iliad reader, I could feel it pulse through the book. The strong-grieved Raiders with their flowing hair brought to mind Achilleus, Aias, Diomedes, etc. This constant action kept my eyes glued to the page. These dudes really were the stuff of myth as the author tells it.

What did I learn about Madden? Well, a lot of things. He was down-to-earth; one of the players just like he was almost one of the viewers while broadcasting. He knew how to assess the important things as a leader, such as when to discipline and when not to. He macromanaged, trusting his players to do the right thing even at third and long. He used simple words even at the most pivotal moments- his inspiration was more long form (and profanity-laced).

Most importantly, he understood the soul of the game and that was reflected in his team. These guys were the Johnny Cash of football- they kept it straight and raw. It paid off in 1977 and in the Halls of Football Valhalla.

I wonder how much a Stabler jersey will cost me...

[Bob O'G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Badasses by Peter Richmond, a book not only about the Oakland Raiders, but about a time in the NFL where "Players played for the name on the front of their jersey, not the name on the back," was one of the most fun reading experiences I have ever had. It reads a bit like a fictionalized account of a ragtag football team assembled throughout a decade and consisting of the most bizarre, eccentric, villainous, and most of all fun people of all time. If this were fiction, it would be discounted by virtually everyone because it is too unbelievable that characters such as these could exist not only on the same team, but at all in the first place. The Raiders roster of the 70's was like a murderer's row of greats. At least four are already in the Hall of Fame. Stabler, Biletnikoff, Upshaw, Shell, Otto, Brown, Atkinson, Tatum, Villiapiano, Matuszak. The fact that these players played at the same time and on the same team is astounding. Kudos to Al Davis for spearheading the movement toward racial equality in football as well as taking chances on players from small schools and checkered pasts. And same to John Madden who knew when to rein in the motley crew and when to let them be in order to form a marauding cohesive unit.

The book is a must read for all football fans, even casual viewers. Though I stress the book's urgency to those NFL fans who have become disenchanted with today's game full of "Independent Contractors" who care more about being the highest paid player than being a champion. Badasses makes you long for the time when rivalries existed on the gridiron among the teams and not just the fans, when players would rather quit than be traded, and their pay scales weren't that much higher than the upper middle class's. If I was alive in the 70's I would have been a proud member of Raider Nation.

[Billy Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the Oakland Raiders then I think you'll love this book, if you're an old school fan of NFL football you will probably like this book but if you're a fan of another team I doubt you'll read this book and enjoy it. It is fully a love letter to a period in a specific team history and isn't shy about showing favoritism.

Its written very well and the authors fandom is on display, the players come off well and don't seem as mean as old media would have you believe. Occasionally the author will fall into pitfalls. More than once he'll make a claim and then disprove it some pages later. Saying that the Raiders were the only team with nicknames but then constantly dropping other teams nicknames in the process. This book is fun though, and very informative about the old style of the game, I recommend it if you're a fan of the sport but be warned the author might inadvertently talk trash about your favorite team if it isn't the Raiders.

[Dachokie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encapsulates a Period When Sport and Culture Meshed Almost to Perfection ..., December 15, 2010

The Oakland Raiders and the 1970s were tailor-made for each other. It was a time when professional sports (aside from golf) were considered blue collar forms of entertainment ... especially the NFL. The Raiders (like the Steelers and Eagles) personified a blue collar town with their aggressive style of play, production and lack of flamboyancy. The 1970s is an era when many of the fans that filled their stadiums may have been as tough as the players on the field. It was the last gasp of "old school "football where injured players kept playing and the ailment known as "turf toe" had yet to be defined. The only Nike logo in sight might have been on a few pairs of cleats; there was no internet and no fantasy football. Looking back, the Raiders were an icon of that blue collar era of football. One of the lasting images of Monday Night Football was the intro and its close up of Willie Brown's face, with his helmet bouncing around, as he returns an interception for a touchdown. His face is pure Raider - a determined, almost angered look. Peter Richmond hits a grand slam with his book that details the inception, construction and coronation of the most successful Raider team ever: that hodge-podge collection of thugs, animals and boozers that comprised the winners of Super Bowl XI. Not only does Richmond deliver the history and juicy details of the team, his book serves as a time machine that takes the reader back to a long lost period where the business side of the sport took a backseat to the game itself.

One does not necessarily have to be a fan of the Oakland Raiders to appreciate this book as Richmond's work should prove to be an interest to a wide range of readers. Fans of sports, history, business and human interest stories should be able to appreciate this book. As someone with a nostalgic interest of growing up in the 1970s, I particularly enjoyed the time warp aspect of this book because it brings back memories of trading football cards, as my collection of cards included many of the players highlighted in this book (and the Raider players always seemed to look more menacing on those cards). Another personal benefit is that it reminded me of the only NFL game I've ever seen live ... the December 24, 1977 playoff game at Baltimore where the Raiders won in double over-time with Dave Casper's Hall-of-Fame worthy performance. Although the 1977 team isn't the focus of the book, the residual talent of the previous season's Super Bowl winning squad was quite evident the following season.

Richmond starts with a chapter that served as the ashes from which the eventual Super Bowl champion team was born ... the 1972 controversial "Immaculate Reception" playoff game vs. the Steelers that spawned a heated rivalry between the 1970s two most dominant AFC teams. Richmond presents this as the catalyst that spurred owner Al Davis to buy, deal, inherit and assemble the parts of a championship team of players and coaches. With the seeds of the dream firmly planted by the controversial results of that playoff game, Richmond takes us back the inception of the Raider franchise and how a shrewd and business-savvy Davis finagled ultimate control of the Raiders. Paralleling Davis' ascent is the progression of John Madden's coaching progression that eventually leads to the helm of a talent loaded Raider team with a history of regular season success and playoff failures.

With the general framework of coaches and core talent in place, Richmond dissects the guts of team, by taking us into the locker room, on the practice field and out into the decadent Oakland nightlife that occupied so much of the Raider player's time once practice ended. Individual chapters introduce us to groups of men that comprise elements of the team from linemen to defensive backs. Richmond spends a great deal of the book detailing the men, their personalities and the exploits both on and off the field that often generated colorful nicknames like: Foo, Rooster, Dr. Death and Snake. The most amazing aspect is that such an odd band of divergent personalities with virtually no rules could bond so well, work so hard and function totally as a team on a mission. The author successfully corals a majority of the 1976 Raider ensemble to contribute to his book with personal reflections, hilarious stories and affirmation of the bond the men had with each other and their beloved Coach Madden. Even the elusive punter Ray Guy contributes! The details provided in these particular chapters present an addictive reading element as we feel we are actually witnessing these events, both on and off the field.

The book culminates in recapping a successful 13-1 regular season record and a post-season run to the Super Bowl that includes yet another rumble with rival and current Super Bowl champion Steelers. Super Bowl XI is deemed "the Promised Land" and although it was a snoozer of a game (and I remember it as being the first Super Bowl I watched in entirety as a kid), the book captures the energy, excitement, drive and ultimate confidence that Raider team displayed in overpowering the Minnesota Vikings. The game itself may have been unexciting, but the build-up leading to the victory and the euphoria experienced by the players is ever-present.

Peter Richmond took me back to my first real memories of enjoying pro football as a kid. The manner in which he presents this particular group of men is both entertaining and endearing. Additionally, Richmond's book may be considered a throwing-of-the-gauntlet by arguably presenting the 1976 Oakland Raider team as one of the best teams in NFL history. Although I'm not a Raider fan, after reading "Badasses", I might actually agree with him.

[Peter Spung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I grew up playing little league football during the late 1970s, when the Badass Raiders were in their prime. Owner Davis, coach Madden, and legendary and iconic players Snake, Foo, Dr. Death, Biletnikoff, Caspar, Atkinson, and many more were in their hay day. This brought back a lot of fond memories of repeated clashes in the playoffs with the Steelers, who were arguably the best team of the 70s. Amazing to me were the many stories of partying hard, and yet playing hard and to a high level. Today’s football players while better coached and trained, don’t seem to have the same edge. Nor is their a team of badasses with a reputation like the Raiders, who won it all for Oakland and the brotherhood in Super Bowl XI. Enjoy this well told book of many great stories, games, players, and coaches.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book with some fun stories about the characters of the Madden led Oaklan Raiders. Does a decent job leading up and detailing their one Super Bowl win with Madden as coach. Talks about key aquistions and their backgrounds and all the good seasons that ended with a loss in the playoffs. However the writer is a little too much of a homer, he thinks everything they did was fantastic. He sort of excuses the fact that though they had a lot of wins over the decade, they only won one SB.

I still would recommend, it is a solid overview of the 70s Raiders and has good stories about the more charismatic characters that didnt seem to fit in with other clubs.

[Jason Vicknair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just OK. No other way to put it, because you really do get tired about reading "The Raider Way," or "Raider Toughness," and how it tries to push you into believing that Ken Stabler was an all-time great (news flash, HE'S NOT). The book wasn't much about Madden and what he created in Oakland, but more of the debauchery and chauvinistic approach of these players with zero morals, no responsibility nor care for the locals/fans/league. Not a fan of this book and wish it went down more detail about Al Davis and how he came to power and brought this team from the ashes, into the perennial powers of the 1970s NFL and into the 80s as a force.

[Judge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look back at the Oakland Raiders of the late 60's and 70's. There was some very fascinating parts of the book that any football fan would enjoy. I recall hearing the stories of the infamous Heidi game from my mom and grandpa who were watching the game on TV. The really indepth chapters on players and games got a little long. I ended up doing some fast skimming there. Being way too young to remember his coaching days. To me John Madden was always the guy on TV talking about football, in the commercials, and on the video game. Strange to think there is a generation coming up that will see the GOAT Tom Brady the same way.

[Chris Schaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wish the author had given the book another title cause the incessant use of the term “badass” gets annoying. Which is tough cause they were renegades, they were badasses, and there’s a great quote by Snake at the end where he uses the term. But it’s too much. That said, it’s a good book. While some of the early seasons are a slog, it picks up the closer it gets to the ‘76-‘77 season. I liked the background on players..these were players I remember from early years watching football, collecting cards, watching nfl films, etc. - Cliff Branch, Ted Hendricks, Mark Van Eeghen, Tooz, Stabler and the great Phil Villapiano. And of course Big John Madden.

[Nannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great football. Great teams. Great rivalries. Rivalries between teams, not individuals or coaches. Football for the sake of football, not for the obscene amount of money the owners and the NFL make or the outrageous amounts the individual players can make by jumping teams every time the cash register rings up a higher amount. “Ken Stabler put it, ‘you played for the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back” This is the era the greatest Badasses of all time, John Madden’s Oakland Raiders, played in. The story, the characters (and what characters they were) and the atmosphere that created the Badass Raiders is told in loving detail by Peter Richmond, a lifelong Raiders fan.

There were so many unusual aspects of the Badass Raiders, the players who crashed on other teams but bloomed on the Raiders, an owner and head coach who were called by their first names, their larger than life personas on and off the field and most surprising of all the high percentage of very intelligent men with degrees in challenging majors from prestigious schools like Stanford. Yet they all created the perfect storm to create one of the best teams in the history of football. While Madden’s Raiders had one Super Bowl Ring, their winning percentages were higher than any other team of the era.

The first Super Bowl I remember watching was the 1977 Raiders vs. Vikings. My dad and I watched several Raiders games that year and I was captured by the Raider’s quarterback, Ken “The Snake” Stabler. The nickname “Snake” came from his ability to scramble long before it Wilson and Kaepernick were even conceived, literally. On August 17, 1980, I was in Houston for a week. I had the opportunity to see a preseason game between the now defunct Houston Oilers and the New Orleans Saints. The Oilers won 20 to 17 that day. I can remember nothing of that day except watching Stabler move. He was in the last five years of his career but the man was still the Snake.

Barry Abrams narrates Badasses with the joy of a football fan. He does a great job with various accents, from Al Davis’s Brooklyn tinged speech to the mellowed Alabama tones of Stabler. Abrams keeps the narration at pace with the writing. It is never monotone or over the top. The production quality is excellent.

I highly recommend Badasses. It is a much a joy to read as it probably was for the Badass Raiders to play. “As tight end Bob Moore, a Stanford guy, put it to me, summing up his Raiders years, ‘Seven days a week, it was as much fun as a human being could have and still stay alive.’”

[Chad Montabon · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you like the word 'Badass', this book is for you. You will get it at least once on each page you read.

It was like spending 5 hours with your entertaining Uncle, after not very long it becomes a chore. I like football and books about football as much, if not more than the next guy, even if the next guy is that guy who paints his face team colors and goes shirtless in December. I have read a lot of football memoirs, this one is grasping even in the spots that provided new information.

[Steve Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a great time in sports. Richmond's insights are terrific. I was reminded what a character Phil Villapiano was and still is. I would add that this book has the best epilogue I've ever read as Richmond deftly and concisely demonstrates the difference between the NFL of then and the NFL of now. Great book for football fans; especially those who believe the golden age of pro football ended early in the 1980s.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a Raiders fan for years but never really knew much about the history save the stories/myths/legends. I felt this was a great intro to the Badasses that served under the great John Madden. Most of the content seems to be from either other books/3rd party articles and interviews as well as the few Raiders who agreed to be interviewed for this book.

A definite must read for anyone wanting to know about the 70s Raiders. A four star read.

[Hugh Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Raiders of the 1970s were a colorful group and a tight knit family. Kenny Stabler, Fred Biletnikoff, and the rest put in work after practice, staged an annual air hockey tournament, and skipped curfew. They won a Super Bowl, of course, and contended for several more. I read this book because I like the Snake and he gets his due here. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this team in the Madden era.

[Paul Lawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters on the Raiders team in that era, and although there was a lot of off the field craziness going on it looked as though it built a team that played for each other and the their head coach. Exceptional descriptions of the games that draw you in like you were part of the crowd. I am Raiders fan, however would recommend this book to anyone that is a fan not only off the NFL, but sports in general.

[Rob Rains · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historic account of the 1970s Raiders team that eventually defeated the Minnesota Vikings to win Super Bowl XI. The characters on the team are interesting and the stories are entertaining. The author’s writing style is a bit too matter-of-fact for the accounts in the book. An author like Jeff Pearlman would have done this subject matter more justice.

[Mark Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about John Madden’s Oakland Raiders. Entertaining stories like the player that liked to helmet slap even his own teammates and the player that put an extra long screw in his helmet so the next time he was helmet slapped the player had a bloody hand. Or the time after bed check players would go tearing out of the hotel parking lot to party.