Rich Campbell: Khalil Mack trade made Bears instant contenders, and Raider Nation is still grappling with the loss
CHICAGO - The silver-and-black flag hangs above the entrance, motionless in the steady afternoon rain. Chicago Raider Nation has marked its territory in Lakeview at Schoolyard Tavern & Grill on Southport Avenue in Chicago. It's a September Sunday, and Soundgarden's "Fell on Black Days" is blaring out onto the sidewalk. The party must be inside.
Joe Donahue is here to cheer his Raiders and commiserate with fans who share his faith that soon days won't be so black for the storied, colorful, nomadic franchise. Today is not that day, though. They're losing to the Vikings by two touchdowns at halftime.
Donahue, the group's leader, is wearing a Raiders T-shirt with No. 21 on the back and "BRANCH" above it. Cliff Branch was a three-time All-Pro receiver in the 1970s, one of many icons from the Raiders' glory days.
In fact, look around the bar, in the crowded front and back rooms, and it's full of Raiders jerseys celebrating greats of yesteryear.
Fred Biletnikoff, No. 25. Howie Long, No. 75. Bo Jackson, No. 34. Lyle Alzado, No. 77. Charles Woodson, No. 24. Nnamdi Asomugha, No. 21.
None of the three dozen fans here, however, is wearing No. 52.
Khalil Mack was a beast for the
