11 things you should know about the NFL’s Raiders

Oakland Raiders signs and a photo of late owner Al Davis are shown outside O.co Coliseum before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

A sign for former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis is shown before an NFL football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Buffalo Bills in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (Ben Margot/AP)

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis walks into NFL meetings that will determine who will succeed Paul Tagliabue at the league's commissioner Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006 in Northbrook Ill. (M. Spencer Green/AP)

Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable walks on the sideline against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable before the start of an NFL football game with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (Orlin Wagner/AP)

Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable, left, talks with punter Shane Lechler (9) before the start of an NFL football game with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (Orlin Wagner/AP)

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis gestures during an NFL football news conference introducing Hue Jackson as the team's new coach at Raiders headquarters in Alameda, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011. (Paul Sakuma/AP)

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis reads a statement during an NFL football news conference introducing Hue Jackson as the team's new coach at Raiders headquarters in Alameda, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011. (Paul Sakuma/AP)

Oakland Raiders fan Michael Cunningham of Oakland, Calif., holds up a poster in honor of Al Davis before their game against the Cleveland Browns NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. (Ben Margot/AP)

Oakland Raiders fans hold up a sign for owner Al Davis before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. (Paul Sakuma/AP)

An Oakland Raiders fan wears shoulder pads that honor Al Davis before their game against the Cleveland Browns NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. (Ben Margot/AP)

A Raiders fan shows off a tattoo with an image of former owner Al Davis before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (Paul Sakuma/AP)

Former Oakland Raiders player Dave Casper waves after lighting the ceremonial torch for former owner Al Davis before an NFL football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (Ben Margot/AP)

Hall of Fame player Jim Otto is shown on the field at O.co Coliseum before an NFL football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014. (Ben Margot/AP)

A "Just Win Baby" sweatshirt hangs from a sideline railing in honor of recently deceased Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis during the NFL week 10 football game against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday, November 10, 2011 in San Diego, California. The Raiders won the game 24-17. (Paul Spinelli/AP)

Former Oakland Raiders player Jim Otto is shown on the field at O.co Coliseum before an NFL football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

A note is inscribed on a helmet at a shrine in honor of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, who died Saturday at age 82, outside of the team's NFL football headquarters in Alameda, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Their nickname is one of pro football’s most revered and iconic, conjuring images of mavericks and renegades and an occasional Holy Roller, when one is called for in San Diego. But did you know the Raiders weren’t always known as such?

For nine days in 1960, the team was called the Oakland Senors.

That’s right. The Raiders had a Senor moment during the infancy of the franchise.

The Oakland Tribune sponsored a contest to name the team in 1960, and Senors was the winner. Raiders was the third choice among fans. But when incessant jokes were made about the Senors, the name quickly was changed to something more aggressive and befitting of a Black Hole.

Ten other things you should know about pro football’s Raiders:

AGE

The Raiders are 57 years old. They were a charter member of the old American Football League. They weren’t very good at first; they were 9-33 over their first three seasons. Then Al Davis was named coach and general manager. Then the Raiders got a lot better.

COLORS

The Silver and Black colors were adopted in 1963, when Al Davis took command. Before that, the team wore black uniforms trimmed in gold. The old helmets were black with a white stripe, sans logo. The Silver and Black uniform and helmet design has not changed since it was introduced.

LOCAL RAIDERS

Former Las Vegas high school football stars David Humm, Frank Hawkins and Nick Bell were the original Las Vegas Raiders. Humm (Bishop Gorman) was a backup quarterback to Ken Stabler and still hosts a Raiders radio show with former hit meister George Atkinson. Hawkins (Western) was a Raiders starting running back in 1985 and 1986 and was known as a fine receiver of flare passes. Bell (Clark) also was a Raiders running back, from 1991 to 1993, starting five games and scoring seven touchdowns.

TITLES

The Raiders have won one AFL championship (1967), four AFC titles (1976, 1980, 1983, 2002) and three Super Bowls (1976, 1980, 1983). They have won 15 division championships and have advanced to the playoffs 22 times, including in 2016 — their first trip to the postseason since 2002.

REPUTATION

The Raiders have a fierce, hard-hitting reputation. They are known for committing the odd personal foul, and for getting into the odd fight with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders also are known for legal battles and lawsuits, too many to mention.

TOM CABLE

Tom Cable, a former UNLV offensive line coach, became the Raiders’ 17th head coach in 2009. He was head coach for three seasons. When he was fired, Cable’s winning percentage was slightly lower than John Madden’s.

SLOGANS

Slogans associated with the Raiders include “Pride and Poise,” “Commitment to Excellence” and “Just Win, Baby.” They are registered trademarks. Al Davis sort of lifted the lower-case version of “Commitment to Excellence” from a Vince Lombardi quote: “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” It is doubtful “The Tooz” — former Raiders defensive end and maker of mayhem John Matuszak — was aware of that.

BOB BLUM

Former Lady Rebels and Las Vegas Stars broadcaster Bob Blum helped found the original fantasy football league when he was the Raiders’ play-by-play announcer in 1963. Blum was one of eight franchise owners in the Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League. His draft picks included Frank Gifford, Max McGee, Bart Starr, Cookie Gilchrist, George Blanda and former Raiders Art Powell, Tom Flores, Claude Gibson, Tommy Morrow and Dave Costa.

HALL OF FAME

The Pro Football Hall of Fame includes 14 members who made their fame as Raiders: Jim Otto, George Blanda, Willie Brown, Gene Upshaw, Fred Biletnikoff, Art Shell, Ted Hendricks, Mike Haynes, Howie Long, Dave Casper, Marcus Allen, Ray Guy, Tim Brown and Ken Stabler. Al Davis (coach/owner/commissioner), John Madden (coach) and Ron Wolf (scout/player personnel director) also received yellow jackets in Canton, Ohio.