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Our First Raiders Game – Bills vs Raiders at Highmark Stadium

September 17, 2023 will always be a big one for us. It was our first ever Raiders game, our first NFL road trip together, and the day my son met Davante Adams in person — getting both a photo and an autograph.
No matter how the season turns out, that’s the kind of memory that sticks forever.

Why This Game Mattered

First-Time Raiders Fans on the Road

This wasn’t just another NFL game — it was our first.
Watching the Raiders together on TV was one thing, but stepping into Highmark Stadium as Raiders fans was a whole different experience.

  • First Raiders jerseys worn to a game

  • First time hearing the crowd roar in person

  • First real taste of what NFL fandom feels like up close

As a dad, seeing my son take all of that in made the trip worth it before kickoff even happened.

The Trip to Highmark Stadium

Game Day in Buffalo

Highmark Stadium has a reputation — loud fans, cold weather (even early in the season), and a true football atmosphere. Even as visiting fans, the energy was undeniable.

Walking into the stadium:

  • Tailgates everywhere

  • Bills fans fully locked in

  • That “this is real football” feeling you can’t get on TV

It felt like the perfect place for a first NFL game.

The Moment That Made the Day

Meeting Davante Adams

This was the moment that changed everything.

My son got the chance to meet Davante Adams, take a photo, and get an autograph — something neither of us expected going into the day.

Watching his reaction:

  • Pure excitement

  • Total disbelief

  • A memory he’ll never forget

As a dad, that moment alone made the entire trip worth it. Wins and losses fade — moments like that don’t.

Watching the Game Together

Seeing the Raiders Live for the First Time

There’s something special about watching your team live for the first time, especially when it’s with your kid.

  • Every Raiders drive felt bigger

  • Every big play felt louder

  • Every moment felt shared

Even surrounded by Bills fans, we were locked into the game together — cheering, reacting, and just enjoying being there.

Dad Perspective

Why These Trips Matter

This trip kicked off what I hope becomes a tradition — traveling to Raiders games together and making memories that last longer than any season.

Years from now, I probably won’t remember every stat from this game.
But I’ll remember:

  • Our first Raiders game

  • The look on my son’s face meeting Davante Adams

  • Sitting side by side at Highmark Stadium

That’s what this series is about.

Series Callout

Raiders Road Trip Series

This is the first post in a series documenting every Raiders game I take my son to, stadium by stadium.

More trips.
More memories.
More Raider Nation moments.