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Metallica’s James Hetfield to light the Al Davis Memorial Torch before Raiders-Rams kickoff
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Sports/The Apex Times/Oct 23, 5:37 PM EDT

Metallica’s James Hetfield to light the Al Davis Memorial Torch before Raiders-Rams kickoff

The Metallica co-founder and a lifelong “Raider Nation” member will take part in the pregame tradition honoring the Raiders’ late owner.

By The Apex Times Newsroom1 min readAI-assisted Apex article

James Hetfield, the co-founder of Metallica and a lifelong member of Raider Nation, will light the Al Davis Memorial Torch before kickoff of Sunday’s Raiders vs. Rams game.

The Raiders say Hetfield’s fandom for the franchise stretches across its years in Oakland and Los Angeles and into its current era in Las Vegas.

The team also framed Hetfield’s connection to the Raiders through Metallica’s 2002 appearance tied to the club’s run to the AFC Championship Game, when the band performed for fans ahead of the matchup at the Coliseum.

The Al Davis Memorial Torch tradition began in 2011 in Oakland, and the Raiders list earlier torch-lighters that include the late John Madden and Mrs. Carol Davis, who lit the torch in 2020 ahead of the Raiders’ inaugural game at Allegiant Stadium.

According to the Raiders, the torch honors Al Davis’ legacy as longtime owner and leader, including his Hall of Fame recognition and his “will to win” vision for the franchise. Many Raiders alumni, celebrities and fans have lit the torch in subsequent home-game traditions.

Why It Matters

  • The pregame ritual highlights how the Raiders’ home-game experience blends NFL competition with franchise history.
  • Having a global music figure like Hetfield light the torch underscores the Raiders’ emphasis on culture and community tied to Allegiant Stadium.
  • The ceremony connects current-season game day to the broader Al Davis legacy the franchise has repeatedly emphasized since the torch’s launch in 2011.

Sources

Key Facts

  • James Hetfield will light the Al Davis Memorial Torch prior to kickoff of the Raiders vs. Rams game on Sunday.
  • The Raiders describe Hetfield as a lifelong member of Raider Nation whose fandom spans the franchise’s Oakland, Los Angeles and Las Vegas eras.
  • The team links Hetfield’s Raider connection to Metallica’s 2002 moment in the AFC Championship Game buildup, when the band surprised fans with a performance in the Coliseum parking lot.
  • The Raiders state the torch tradition began in 2011 in Oakland.
  • The Raiders say the torch honors Al Davis’ legacy and his “will to win” vision for the organization.
Metallica’s James Hetfield to light the Al Davis Memorial Torch before Raiders-Rams kickoff | The Apex Times