Raiders defend cigar celebration after 1st post-McDaniels win
The Las Vegas Raiders aren't apologizing for commemorating their victory over the New York Giants last Sunday by lighting up celebratory cigars.
Players were joyful after the team earned a dominating 30-6 win in their first game after head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler were dismissed. The duo posted a 9-16 record in just over a season with the franchise.
Members of the team stood by the decision to spark a stylish celebration after their first win under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. The victory halted a two-game slide for the Raiders but also appeared to mark a potential turning point for players.
"I mean, it's definitely different in the middle of a season," star receiver Davante Adams said Wednesday, per Logan Reever of 8 News Now. "Anybody that's dealt with the type of adversity that we have this year, just the ups and downs and all the negative attention and a lot of drama and stuff, they'll never understand why we had that feeling and why it led to cigars being lit in the locker room.
"Obviously not everybody agrees with it. But you won't last in this league if you care too much what other people think and how they feel about what you do," the wideout added.
The three-time first-team All-Pro is optimistic that the Raiders can make winning normal so that lighting up doesn't become a tradition during the regular season.
Adams wasn't alone in defending the team's actions last weekend. Star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby also enjoyed the festivities.
"Whoever loves me, loves me. Whoever doesn't - I don't give a damn," defensive end Crosby said, according to Reever. "That's the Raider way. I love it."
Crosby, who posted a season-high three sacks in the win, believes that Las Vegas needs to match the energy from the Week 9 victory and carry it forward throughout the remainder of the season.
The Raiders (4-5) will host the New York Jets (4-4) on Sunday Night Football in Week 10.
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