Derek Carr drops shocking truth about how Oakland fans scared NFL quarterbacks

Derek Carr fell in love with the city of Oakland and its fans when he stepped on the field with the Las Vegas Raiders . He says the noise from the fans was like nothing he had ever experienced. Can you imagine opposing teams trying to call a play or even thinking? That intense energy made Las Vegas Raiders games in Oakland feel almost impossible for visitors. Derek Carr shared how special the experience was in interviews and at events. His words paint a clear picture of how the atmosphere felt, and why players and fans still remember it today.

Derek Carr on why Oakland was the hardest place to play

On a radio interview in late 2023, former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Dallas Carr said, “Honestly, Oakland was unreal. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. It was crazy”. He said opposing quarterbacks could barely call plays because the noise level was so loud.

☠️Former Raiders QB Derek Carr broke down his 5 toughest stadiums to play in and Oakland was #1

“You played on cement for half the year. The crowd was the best crowd in the entire world. Anytime we hit a big play going towards the black hole you’d catch scent of something” 👀 pic.twitter.com/3zku5R2WBX

— ShifftttyyyQB1🏴‍☠️ (@raiders1022) July 10, 2025

The sound was over The Black Hole , a group of loyal supporters that loved to shout and pound on drums and horns during games. Derek Carr played in Oakland from 2014 when he was drafted in the second round, until their move to Las Vegas in 2020.

During those years Derek Carr was able to experience how the fans changed the stadium into a fortress. During home games when he was in charge of the offense he felt the energy from the fans' excitement, while the opposing team felt the pressure.

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Derek Carr shares memories and details of the Oakland experience

Derek Carr has talked about specific moments that show how loud and alive the atmosphere could be. In one post-game speech after a big win in 2016, he pointed out that even he had trouble hearing himself think at times because of the cheers. On X, he described the energy as “like nothing I had ever experienced”. Derek Carr often said it was not just loud, it was organized.

Fans in The Black Hole had chants and signals that started moments before the ball was snapped. He said that when he made a great throw or great run the roar had the feeling it could shake the stands. In a similar way, these memories reinforce why there are so many players, coaches, and analysts who in the past called Oakland the hardest place in history to play football.