Las Vegas Raiders Launch Historic HBCU Classic at Allegiant Stadium

The Las Vegas Raiders are hosting the inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic at Allegiant Stadium, featuring a football matchup between Jackson State and Grambling State, two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This event honors the Raiders' long-standing commitment to diversity, a legacy initiated by late owner Al Davis, who championed inclusion by recruiting over 80 HBCU players and hiring the first African-American head coach in the modern NFL era. The HBCU Classic weekend includes cultural celebrations such as performances by the "World Famed Tiger Marching Band" and Jackson State's "Sonic Boom of the South," along with activities for alumni and youth training camps led by Raiders staff and players. The Raiders also continue to promote diversity through initiatives like the Al Davis-Eddie Robinson Leadership Academy, which focuses on developing minority coaching and management candidates. Concurrently, the Raiders' recent trade of wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets has brought mixed results; while it freed salary cap space and brought quarterback Geno Smith to the team, the offense has struggled this season with a 2-5 record. Despite challenges on the field, the Raiders are leveraging their rich history and community engagement to foster cultural pride and inclusivity through the HBCU Classic and related programs.