By John Ingoldsby, Player Engagement Insider
When some of the Oakland Raiders arrive in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca this Monday, they can act like they’ve been there before. That’s because, well, a few have indeed been there before as ambassadors who visited the city twice this year, which included a Draft Day Fan Fest and attending a soccer match at the legendary stadium.
“We were amazed to see how big the stadium is, and we got to go on the field at the match and do a jersey exchange with the soccer players, and I still have my jersey,” recalled running back Taiwan Jones, who was a member of the advance team at the 87,000-seat stadium.
It’s also safe to say that this AFC West division leader’s “home” game might be like an actual home game, particularly since a closet “Black Hole” apparently lives south of the border and undoubtedly contributed to the game selling out in under an hour, just like the NFL games in London.
“It was surprising how many Raiders fans were down there on both trips, as we saw quite a few jerseys and hats, and they let us know how excited they were that we were actually there,” observed Jones, a six-year veteran who went to Mexico City in both March and again in May.
His first trip was with fellow running back and sudden breakout star Latavius Murray, who last week was named FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week for his three-touchdown, 114-yard performance in beating the Denver Broncos. But it was a different type of competition in March when the two toured the city.
“The two of us faced off in a Guacamole Challenge at a restaurant, where an employee there showed us how to make it, and then we made our own and competed,” Jones said. “Four of our Raiderettes then tasted it and chose mine as the winner, which was actually a surprise since I am a terrible cook, but I can’t take much credit since the woman who taught us was amazing, but all in all, the whole thing was hilarious.”
But that was just a sampling of the pair participating in all the activities available in one of the world’s largest cities.
“Since March was my first time ever in Mexico City, it was pretty cool as we toured the city and mingled with the locals in an outdoor food market, where we tried ice cream among other things,” the Eastern Washington product said. “We also toured some historic buildings downtown, helped coach at a kids’ Flag Football event, and even attended a race to watch the world’s fastest electric cars, where we got to go down in the pit and check out the cars.”
And that was just the first trip, but there would be more in May when Jones and Murray returned with a few of their friends, including cornerback TJ Carrie, linebacker Malcolm Smith, defensive lineman Justin Ellis, tackle Donald Penn, and even former Raiders, tackle Lincoln Kennedy and quarterback Jim Plunkett, the only Hispanic player to win Super Bowl MVP and the Heisman Trophy.
“In addition to the soccer game, on the second trip we went out on a boat and learned how to steer it with a huge stick, which looked easy but was so tough that none of us were successful,” Jones said.
There was also the Draft Day Fanfest at Azteca Stadium, and additionally they hit the Mexican airwaves to spread the word.
“We were on a lot of television shows, and when I joked around and said I knew how to speak Spanish, one of the shows took me up on it and asked me to translate,” Jones said. “Since I don’t speak Spanish, it was funny for them to see me panic under pressure on live TV, but it turned out cool.”
As cool as this Monday night will be at Azteca Stadium, according to Jones.
“Fans who were very excited during our visits were telling me how crazy game night will be, with 10 times the excitement of our visits and just a real big party.”