Shelby Harris may be trying to reignite the historic Raiders-Broncos rivalry.
In an video interview this week with team reporter Alexis Perry, the Denver Broncos nose tackle expressed doubt that the Raiders would have a strong fan base in Las Vegas. He also took a shot at the AFC West rivals in the process.
“I don’t think it’s going to be the same,” said Harris. “I just don’t see them having much of a hometown appeal. I feel like it’s gonna be more of like a tourist thing, like ‘Oh, we’re in Vegas, let’s go to the game.'”
When Perry made the point that the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights have an incredibly loyal fan base, Harris replied, “Yeah, you have to be good though.”
Harris, who started all 16 games for the Broncos last season, definitely has a history with the Raiders. He was drafted by them in 2014 but went through a constant cycle of being waived, re-signed to the practice squad, elevated to the active roster, and then waived again. He was finally released for good by the Raiders in 2016 after making just eight total appearances for them.
That said, the Raiders, who have had three straight losing seasons, are already seeing signs that their Oakland fan base is migrating to Las Vegas with them, so they will have a chance to prove Harris wrong starting in the 2020 season.
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