Now it's really official - I am a Raider

submitted by DarrenMcFadden

June 07, 2008 | 49 comments |

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In case all you good people in the Yard hadn't heard, I signed my contract with Raiders. It is done, it is out of the way and I am very happy. I am officially part of the Raider Nation and I am excited about it. There will be no worries about holdouts, we'll just be focusing on football.

Here's how it played out. My agent, Mike Conley left out on Tuesday so when I got the call Thursday night that it was done it caught me off guard a little bit. I was watching the Celtics-Lakers game with my sister when JR called me. It was around 8:30 and he said he'd come by around 9 for me to sign. I don't know what my facial expression was like, probably not much of one because I was so into the basketball game, but I was happy and relieved. I called my dad and my step mom to tell them the news. They were in town until yesterday. My dad's reaction was just like mine - happy to have it out of the way so I could focus on football and learn the plays.

Coach Rathman called me to congratulate me and we had a good talk. When I woke up that next morning I had at least 20 text messages and tons of missed calls. News travels fast I guess. I'm just glad I had some of my family with me when it happened. I am going to wait to celebrate when I get home and I have all my family there. That's when we'll really celebrate. Now I'm just going to keep working.

I am pulling for the Celtics btw.

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48 Comments On: "Now it's really official - I am a Raider"

	1. w333man , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congratz!!! Im happy you are finally a Oakland Raider. You will be great to watch and I will be supporting you. See you in the black hole. Oh yeah, can you give us any info if your signing autographs somewhere in the future. Thanks. <3

	2. jrussellfan2 , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+5 pts \| \| \|
	Great job by your agent on getting a contract done so quickly. Now go to camp and amaze the world in the season.

	3. DubsFan , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congratulations on the big pay day Darren! The Lakers will win the series, though.

	4. ballinhannah , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	CONGRATZ!!! i hope u stick around in the bay area for a looong time. the raiders and ur agent did a great job with the contract. btw, i'm rooting for the celtics too. garnett, pierce & ray really deserve it

	5. celticsbabyy , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	congrats! yesss go celtics! :)

	5.1. Tenebrous , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Celtics? No, go RAIDERS... but, if you must cheer for a basketball team - then at least cheer for a winner.. go LAKERS!!!

	6. RCInThaHOT84 , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Can't wait to see you flexin' your "501" "boy" in the Black Hole!! Again, welcome to the Bay D-Dawg!

	7. raiderpat , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Welcome to the Raider Nation. We got your back no matter what, make us all proud.

	10. theNATION08 , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Yo D-Mac, Congrads on behalf of the Nation of Raiders. You havent even stepped into a football game and have yet made us proud by the way you have started your career in the NFL. I dont think they're would have been a better fit team for you, and we believe that soon you'll be rewarded(Even though you already have with this contract) But not only with that, with everything you do in life, with your football career... and the legacy you will leave behind. Take Care

	11. romorules , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+1 pts \| \| \|
	Good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing you play.

	12. dynastykid22 , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Wow ...... Dude you cant root for the Celtics and be a raider, come on man ! I think that is the worst news I heard all day, N E ways cant wait til the season starts, followed you all the way through college and am stoked your with the Silver and Black. I hope you kick some @ss this year. Suuuuueeeeeeey !

	13. Pinkpanthrrr , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+5 pts \| \| \|
	WOW!!! I can't believe you are rooting for the B-team! nice. TX. That just makes me all feel all warm and fuzzy. Now, I might just have to root for the raiders...ALOT! Except of course against NE. Can I get your digital autograph? ;)

	14. jerseys12 , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	I AM GLAD EVERYTHING,got done for you,have good season---hopeflly,you guys can make a push at playoff---your first year. HAVE A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE SEASON D-MAC

	15. HayatoKanzaki1 , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Good stuff, future rookie of the year.

	16. Tenebrous , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congratulations, but you have to get used to the idea that you are home now. Welcome to Oakland and the Silver 'n Black... welcome home!!

	18. YouGaming , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congrats, Darren! Looking forward to seeing you and the Silver and Black again dominate the AFC West.

	19. Ponyboy , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congrats D-Mac! Just reading your passionate, intelligent posts make me think you have your head screwed on completely straight, and are gonna be a serious force to reckon with in the league. I really wasn't the hugest fan until I started reading your blog entries. Here's to an O-ROY year, D-Mac!!

	20. RedditAndrews , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congrats bruh! The Raider Nation is super excited for the season to begin. I am so looking forward to shutting up the critics who act like its impossible for us to rise again. I hope you have a rookie year that leaves Baldinger mute!

	21. gstate5 , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+8 pts \| \| \|
	Awesome, you are going to bring respectability back to Raider Nation.

	22. juliannemeyer , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Darren, We cant wait to watch you in Oakland. I am sure that I can speak for the season ticket holders like myself..... We need a winning season this year, you and jamarcus can bring us back, we just know it.Congratuations on your signing, this is out of the way, now you can focus on football and practice. BTW how is the house hunting going???? Julianne

	23. woodsey44 , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congrats. Let's make sure you Arkansas proud. You never know, you may have the entire state become part of the Raider Nation.

	24. richhamilton12 , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Atta boy DMac, KG needs his first championship, he deserves it more than Kobe does. I cannot wait to see you and Jamarcus and the rest of the Raider offense in action... I have a bunch of optimism with you running behind Kwame Harris. I'm sure you're gonna be buyin that offensive line a bunch of meals w/ the yardage you're about to put up!

	25. tommyr , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	respects to you mr. mcfadden, we are all looking forward to seeing you take the field in silver & black. congratulations.

	26. ms_lisa , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+7 pts \| \| \|
	Congrats! I'm sure your family is very proud. Wishing you the best and some awesome seasons ahead of you!

	27. MikeGreenspire , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congrats, Darren, that's great news! I can't wait to watch you on the field again! What a football season we have ahead of us! Take care, Darren! I hope you have a great career in that Silver & Black! -Mike Greenspire

	28. mrbarker1982 , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	how sweet it is , we are honored to have you in silver and black

	29. ThirdWishER , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congrats D-Mac! Can't wait to see you out there on August 8th and to also she you run over your childhood NFL team, the Donkeys, on the Monday Night Opener. Our running attack was #6 with our first year behind zone blocking, can't wait to see the impact you have!

	30. RAIDERCZAR , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+7 pts \| \| \|
	Welcome aboard Darren and congrats on your new contract!!! Now get ready to put up a couple of bills on the Denver Donkeys week 1 and put them on notice!!!

	31. Raider1 , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	Congrats WELCOME TO THE RAIDER NATION!!!!!!!!!!!!

	32. kobri22 , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	-6 pts \| \| \|
	comment below viewing threshold. show / hide comment D-MAC IS GOOD...TOO BAD THE RAIDERS ARNT

	32.1. Tenebrous , June 07, 2008 \| Reply	+7 pts \| \| \|
	The Raiders will be better with D-Mac, that is why he was drafted!!

	32.2. OAKLANDRAIDERS , June 10, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	DA RAIDERZ WILL BE BACK BOI. DONT 4GET DA HAVE ONE OF DA BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE SO SHUT DAT UP

	33. GSWgirl , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+6 pts \| \| \|
	So happy to have you! Now get to work! :)

	34. Code707 , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	+1 pts \| \| \|
	Welcome to the Raidernation...You have a big fan at sec 123

	35. beckett1 , June 08, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	It's good to see you cheering for the Green. Good luck in the NFL D-MAC!

	36. justwinbaby , June 09, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	Congrats DMac on your signing..... Be ready for a full house Sept.8th...The house will be rumble'n.... Nobody will be sitt'n that nite! Good luck and Go Raiders.........

	37. warriorzfan5 , June 09, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	dude....the RAIDER NATION loves you! we all can't wait! this season is going to be good if all goes well

	38. jroyster , June 09, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	Good luck DMC...Glad to have your here in Oakland. I am excited and can't wait to see you play. You are a blessed individual. Go Oakland!!!!!

	39. almahogfan , June 09, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	Congratulations Darren. My family has really enjoyed watching you play these past few few years as a Hog. We'll miss your talent in the backfield but we'll keep up with you in Oakland. Good luck dude.

	40. KaliBlaze , June 09, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	Congrates, but the celtics suck, watch the Lakers come back in the series 4-3 to win it!!!

	41. Bambina , June 09, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	I'm with ya, go Celtics!

	42. OAKLANDRAIDERS , June 10, 2008 \| Reply	-1 pts \| \| \|
	DMC DAS YER NEW NICKNAME. I WANNA SEE SUM TOUCHDOWNS BOI. I WANT U TA BE BUSTIN LOOSE LIKE U SAID

	43. BigNinaRoss , June 10, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	Fo Sho! Now officially a member of "The Only Nation" in the NFL!

	44. RaiderLogic , June 10, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	What up fool, Born and raised in Memphis, Tn. I know it's hard being away from your Fam. I live out here in Cali now but it took some adjusting. I been out here for 17 years now and I have lost my accent. I still go home at least twice a year. Im a Vol (Rocky Top) Im glad to see you and Felix are in the NFL now :). Now Coach Follmer can breathe easier. Maybe. I know what you can do to a team singled handily. Glad to see you have made it possible for fans to interact with ya' I can't wait til' Preseason to see you in action. God bless, look forward to hearing from you. Jesus Christ All the Way! Go Raiders!

	45. snoop750 , June 10, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	Congratulations DARREN MCFADDEN-RUN DMC!!!!! Thanks for coming in and being such a Professional. I simply cant wait for Run DMC to take the field in the Silver & Black. Work Hard, and continue to make yourself and all your fans proud!!!! Introducing..... RB from Arkansas...wearing #20 for your Oakland Raiders.......RUN DMC.....DARREN MCFADDEN!!!! I cant wait man......I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

	46. gohogsgo , June 10, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	Congratulations Darren!!!! I'm a true red and white Hog fan but now I'm looking forward to rooting for the Raiders also. Got to see you at the SC game last season in Fayetteville, wow, my husband and I were just so impressed. And what a fantastic game for you. I'm a Bay Area native but have lived in Little Rock pretty much since I was 10. I lived in Los Altos but that's way too far south for a good commute. So good luck with the house hunting and have a great game on September 8 -- my birthday! We'll be looking for you!! Go Raiders!!!

	47. Spawn474 , June 10, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	Darren oh i can say is that you are a dream come true to the Raidernation . i dont care about points what now this is real . I really feel you and J-Russ are going to make a great combo . Great job on your contract signing

	48. SpSpCards , June 14, 2008 \| Reply	0 pts \| \| \|
	Its been a long time for Radier Nation waiting for a shot at the Trophy....Heres to you Darren in hopes that you are the catalyst...The straw that stirs the Drink....Time to Rock Raiders Fans...We've been down long enough !!!....

NFL >> Oakland Raiders >> Darren McFadden

Now it's really official - I am a Raider

48 Comments On: "Now it's really official - I am a Raider"