09 February 2024 , 11:18
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It would be fair to say Las Vegas Raiders tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is frustrated that the franchise’s AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs are in town for Super Bowl LVIII.
The Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers with the Lombardi Trophy on the line on Sunday, with the game being played in Las Vegas for the first time in the spectacle’s illustrious history. Naturally, the Chiefs are making themselves at home at the practice facility of an rival they have faced since both were original members of the American Football League in 1960.
The Raiders and Chiefs share a fierce rivalry, facing each other 130 times - but this is the first instance one franchise has used the other’s facilities. The Chiefs, bidding to become the first back-to-back champions since Tom Brady ’s 2004-2005 New England Patriots, will also be in the Raiders locker room for the Super Bowl.
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Seeing any bitter adversary or nemesis on one’s turf naturally incites outrage. What’s it truly like to see the Chiefs using Raiders practice facilities? Eluemunor simply laughed.
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“It’s something. It’s something, for sure,” Eluemunor exclusively told Mirror Sport through gritted teeth. “I’m not a fan of it. They’re at our facility, training there, setting up base. It’s kind of annoying. I’m not a fan of it at all.
“I hate the Chiefs, so I don’t like it. Don’t like it at all.”
When asked if the Chiefs enjoying Super Bowl week in the Raiders’ home city of Las Vegas adds motivation for Eluemunor going into the 2024 season, the Brit declared: “I don’t need any extra motivation. If anything, when we get to play them next year, it just makes me want to beat the crap out of them even more.”
Jermaine Eluemunor has been with the Las Vegas Raiders for three seasons (Getty Images)Eluemunor broke into the team in 2022, starting each of the Raiders’ 17 regular season games at right tackle. The 29-year-old was similarly present this season as Las Vegas overcame a difficult start under Josh McDaniels before Antonio Pierce arrived as interim head coach.
Pierce’s arrival sparked a resurgence, with the Raiders crushing the New York Giants - his former team as a player - on his head coaching debut. In December, the Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 63–21, scoring the most points in franchise history. A week later, on Christmas Day, the Raiders recorded their first win over the Chiefs since 2020.
The victory at Arrowhead was the pinnacle of the final stretch of the season for the Raiders, proving they belonged alongside the perennial Super Bowl contenders. Eluemunor, a passionate man, must have undoubtedly enjoyed that win on enemy soil.
The Las Vegas Raiders secured an upset road win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day earlier this season (Getty Images)Heading into the offseason as an impending free agent, Eluemunor ultimately hopes to return: “It means everything [to be a Raider]. I always thought I matched what the Raiders were: gritty, do whatever it takes to win. To be a part of this team and really get my career started here was a blessing for sure. I’ve loved every single second of playing here, and I’m going into free agency but I’m hoping I can continue my career here. I just love playing for this franchise.
“Everyone knows the Raiders. If you go to another country, you see people wearing a Raiders hat, even if they don’t know about the team - the logo is worldwide. For me to be a part of that, it’s very special.”
Eluemunor understands what it means to be a Raider. When asked for his Super Bowl pick, his answer was unsurprising.
“49ers,” Eluemunor said so abruptly he almost cut off the question. “Because I hate the Chiefs.”
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If Eluemunor finds himself going elsewhere in free agency, one thing is for sure: he despises the Chiefs. Once a Raider, always a Raider.