Oakland Raiders: Regardless Of Location, Stupid Guys Do Stupid Things

The Oakland Raiders potential move to Las Vegas has stirred up a million headlines and a ton of controversy – as well as brought the concern trolls out of hiding.

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Despite the presence of the Ronnie Lott – Rodney Peete-led group trying to keep the Oakland Raiders in the Bay Area by spearheading a stadium project, Mark Davis has doubled down on his intent to move the team to Las Vegas – a city with a notorious reputation, quite obviously. And it’s that reputation – as well the outlandish advertising practices of certain establishments – that lately, has the concern trolls crawling out of the woodwork.

There certainly are legitimate reasons to be concerned about the the Raiders relocating to Sin City – will they be able to secure the public funding they’re looking for to build the stadium? Is the market big enough to sustain an NFL franchise and allow it to flourish? – things like that. And then there are other concerns floating around out there that are mind-numbingly ridiculous.

In this particular case, Cover32’s James Arcellana is expressing his concerns about an advertising stunt put on by the Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club in Vegas. Apparently, Sapphire’s is – at least, according to their website – the “biggest” gentlemen’s club in Vegas and has won the apparently prestigious, “best gentlemen’s club” in the city, four years running. Not entirely sure what the criteria is for such an award (floors your shoes don’t stick to?) but there you have it.

Arcellana, citing a report from TMZ, says that the club is prepared to make quite the offer should the Raiders indeed, relocate to Las Vegas.

"“Sapphire proposes that if the Raiders do indeed relocate to Las Vegas, all team members will receive free lap dances and limo transportation at the best-voted, world’s largest, and most iconic gentlemen’s club in Las Vegas.”"

That’s right, Sapphire’s is apparently offering limo service and free lap dances to every member of the team as long as they’re wearing the Silver and Black. And with an offer like that, we’re sure there are more than a few of you out there trying to figure out how to get yourselves on the roster.

Arcellana’s concern as it relates to the Raider in Vegas can probably best be summed up by this brief passage:

"“Las Vegas literally has the nickname “Sin City” because it’s a monument to debauchery. It’s entire selling point is that you can party harder, longer and without being judged than anywhere else in the United States.”"

He followed up that sentiment with another keen piece of insight.

"“If you think Vegas doesn’t add an extra layer of temptation and opportunity to get in trouble than other cities, you’re fooling yourself.”"

An extra layer of temptation? What is that even supposed to mean? The fact of the matter is that you can step outside of any NFL stadium and find temptation aplenty. You can step outside of any stadium in the NFL and find nightclubs, strip clubs, bars, and in most cases, gambling.

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The difference is that Las Vegas doesn’t hide what it is – the city embraces it.

While it’s true that Vegas is indeed a monument to partying and debauchery, the question has to be asked – so what? Though Arcellana downplays and whitewashes the party spots and temptation in other cities, the fact remains that anybody can get into trouble as easily in New York as they can in Vegas – perhaps with just a little less “debauchery.” Maybe.

The advertising gimmick put on by Sapphire’s is nothing more than that – a gimmick. And yes, if the Raiders do wind up relocating to Vegas, there are going to be plenty of other local businesses looking to do the same thing.

It doesn’t mean that the organization endorses them. It doesn’t mean the players are more likely to utilize some of those services. It doesn’t mean we’re going to see Derek Carr and Khalil Mack out partying like Johnny Manziel.

All it does mean is that a local establishment is doing nothing more than trying to drum up a little business.

The bottom line is that regardless of where they are – New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Minneapolis – stupid guys will do stupid things. Just ask Aqib Talib about that – he was in Dallas. Just ask Plaxico Burress about that – he was in New York. Just ask Daunte Culpepper, Fred Smoot, and every other player involved in the Vikings’ party boat scandal – they were in Minnesota and engaged in a party filled with more debauchery than you can find in Vegas itself!

Next: Five Players With The Most To Prove

And the idea that if the Raiders do wind up in Vegas, that the players are going to be continual fodder on TMZ – just because they’re in Vegas – is asinine. These are grown men and are going to make their own decisions. If they make bad ones, they likely won’t be with the Raiders for long given the change in culture being led by Reggie McKenzie and Jack Del Rio.

But the simple fact that they may end up in Vegas doesn’t make them any more likely to find trouble than if they were anywhere else – stupid guys are going to do stupid things regardless of where they are.

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