Raiders pride shines at Bend watch party despite tough season
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — It may have been a difficult season for Raiders fans, with the team sitting at 2–11, but that didn’t stop Central Oregon’s Raider faithful from showing up and showing out.
On Sunday, members of Bend Oregon Raider Nation (BORN) gathered at UPP Liquids for their weekly watch party as the Raiders took on the Denver Broncos. Dozens of fans decked in silver and black filled the room, cheering loudly and showing off decades of pride for their team — win or lose.
The afternoon was about more than football; it was about family and tradition. The event featured food, beverages, raffles for Raiders gear, and even a halftime show led by BORN founder Aaron Chambers, known for his passionate energy and commitment to Raider Nation.
Adding to the excitement, fans got a special guest appearance from Reggie Kinlaw, a former Raiders defensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion. Kinlaw, who played in 98 games for the Raiders and helped lead the team to victories in Super Bowls XV (1980) and XVIII (1983), joined fans for autographs, photos, and plenty of game-day conversation.
Kinlaw also rode on the BORN float in the Downtown Bend Christmas Parade the previous day — a tradition Chambers helped start years ago. The group invites a former Raider each holiday season to appear on the float, followed by a meet-and-greet at the next day’s watch party.
“The support started when I was on that float yesterday,” Kinlaw said. “People were waving, cheering, giving me high-fives — and today at the watch party, the energy’s the same. Bend, Oregon, you’ve got it going on.”
Despite the Raiders’ 24–17 loss to the Broncos, there was no dampening the spirit of Central Oregon’s most devoted Raider fans. Chambers said that for BORN, it’s always about connection and community — win or lose.
Founded in 2015, Bend Oregon Raider Nation has grown into a tight-knit group of fans who gather for nearly every game, host fundraisers, and keep Raider pride alive in the High Desert.
