The Las Vegas Raiders have the most iconic logo in all of the NFL, and Kirk Cousins realizes real quickly you don’t step on the shield.
Apr 8, 2026; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks at a press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Las Vegas Raiders have a very strong history and culture. If you’re an NFL fan, you have probably heard some legendary stories about it all, whether that’s about Al Davis, John Madden, or the hundreds of other iconic figures. That shield logo is special, and it means something to the franchise.
To outsiders, this may seem weird, but this franchise treats the logo like an important flag. There are just certain things you don’t do. The new players will learn all of that very quickly.
Kirk Cousins learned very quickly that he’s not supposed to step on the Raider logo
“Well, I’m learning about the culture,” Kirk Cousins said. “I love seeing the quotes from Al Davis all over the building. I love seeing the Autumn Wind written on the wall, too, as you walk in. And I walked in the first time in the building, and I hate to admit it, I walked on the Raider shield, not thinking. I didn’t even see it.
“I came back in the second time, I looked at the scout, and I said, ‘We couldn’t walk on the ‘S’ at Michigan State.’ I said, ‘I don’t think I’m supposed to walk on that, am I?’ And he said, ‘No, I didn’t want to say anything the first time and be a jerk, but definitely don’t walk on that.’ I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll never walk on it again.’ So, I was glad I caught myself and didn’t repeat the mistake. But there’s a respect here for the Raiders and what it represents, and I love being a part of that.”
#Raiders QB Kirk Cousins: “I walked in the first time, and I hate to admit it, I walked on the Raider shield. I didn’t even see it. I came back and said, ‘We weren’t supposed to walk on the Michigan State S, I’m not supposed to walk on that, am I? He said no, so I said I’ll never…
— Justin Churchill (@ChurchillAtoZ) April 8, 2026
There is a chance that Cousins is only a Raider for one year. The way his contract is structured means he could be a free agent next season if Vegas doesn’t resign him. But next season, the Raiders are fully expecting Fernando Mendoza to take over and be the franchise quarterback. So, Cousins may be of no use to the Raiders, as bad as that sounds.
But in this culture, there is a saying. “Once a Raider, always a Raider.”
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