NFL Carolina Panthers vs. Washington Redskins

Jim Zorn compared the fervor of the rivalry between the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders when he quarterbacked the Seahawks to that of the Washington Redskins-Dallas Cowboys rivalry.

“I do remember, when we would finish those games, if it was home or away or if you won or lost, it didn’t matter,” Zorn said. “You weren’t smiling after the game.”

Zorn first described the rivalry as a “dog fight”, and then changed his description to “hard core” because he didn’t think he should say dogfight in “this politically correct world.”

He said he never had beer dumped on him, as others have recounted, but admitted he’s “seen some interesting things in the stands.”

Zorn remembered playing against the Raiders when they were coached by John Madden and recalled a 44-7 loss in his first game against Oakland. His best memory involving the Raiders came during a road game in Oakland when he “threw one of the best passes of my entire career” on an out pattern to Steve Raible during a Seahawks victory.

Although Zorn did not provide a date, the description matched the game from Nov. 26, 1978. The win, Zorn said, sparked the Seahawks-Raiders rivalry.

“The [Raiders] fans are a little more colorful today, but they’re as gritty as they were then,” Zorn said. “They didn’t have the paint and the road warrior gear.”

Zorn admitted he has not spoken to the Redskins this week about what to expect from Oakland. Although Washington’s roster includes many players who have come from other teams and have likely visited the Raiders, the Redskins have not visited Oakland in 11 years. Zorn said the team could expect to experience what he felt when playing the Raiders.

“It was just hard fought,” Zorn said. “Much like it will be this Sunday.”

By Zach Berman

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Filed under: NFL

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