As a young kid, veteran cornerback Marcus Peters used to routinely pass the Oakland Coliseum, home of his beloved Oakland Raiders, on his bus route.
It isn't often that a professional athlete gets to play for their favorite team, but for Peters, who signed as a free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders nearly two weeks ago, such a dream has now become a reality.
The three-time Pro Bowler will don the timeless Silver and Black uniform, representing the team he grew up watching.
"I was always a Raider, man," Peters said when he addressed the media Saturday. "It's something that was in me since I was a little kid. But it feels good to be a Raider now, to be able to play in the same uniform that I watched growing up."
Peters, who was born and raised in Oakland, comes from a family of Raiders fans, including his father.
"[I]t's just a regular uniform that I'll get to put on now," Peters said, "and just up it a little bit more because my pops ain't never put on none of my jerseys because he's a Raiders fan, and now he gets to put on one and feel proud about it."
Peters is the cousin of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch, who also spent time as a Raider in his 12-year NFL career.
As special as it is for the two family members to share the experience of playing for their favorite team, it's Peters' journey now.
"I think this ain't got nothing to do with Marshawn [Lynch]," Peters said. "I think this got everything to do with me. It's just me, I'm excited. We both come from Oakland, but this ain't got nothing to do with him, this is my journey."
Peters is heading into his eighth NFL season, having previously played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.
The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.
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