Oakland Raiders rookie linebacker Rolando McClain usually avoids reporters like Jose Canseco
But he made an interesting promise last week. McClain vowed that he would finally give his first interview, but only if Oakland fans sold out the Coliseum.
Well, the Coliseum was sold out Sunday. And McClain kept his end of the bargain.
The Oakland Tribune has the whole interview, McClain’s first this season. Turns out the guy really prefers playing in a Coliseum that isn’t half-empty.
“It was crazy for the times I was out there,” McClain said. “I only played 20 plays but I don’t think I’ve ever heard it that loud. I wanted the sellout because I knew we were about to do something special. You can feel it in the locker room, you can feel it in practice. We’re about to be pretty darned scary around here. I just wanted the fans’ support. “
McClain insists there’s no hostility behind his avoiding interviews.
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“I stay to myself a lot. It’s just the way I’ve always been,” McClain said. “Talking to coach Cable after the first couple times I declined interviews, he asked why. I told him the reason, and he said ‘fine.’ You don’t have to do the local media. Just make sure if it’s one of those people from the network that are doing the game, then make sure you do that. I said, ‘All right.’”
McClain was also asked when he’d do another interview.
“Next sellout,” he said.
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who’s calling Rolando McClain and claiming to be one of those people from the network that are doing the game.
