Jon Ritchie couldn’t ask for much more right now: he has a new fiancée and an inside perspective on what hopes to be a successful 2002 season for the Raiders.
A Stanford grad, Ritchie recently proposed to a Cal athlete. “The whole Cal-Stanford thing provides that we agree to disagree on things from here to eternity,” Ritchie said. “I hate Cal much less than she hates Stanford, but I try to play it up a little bit for the sake of creating some drama.”
Off the field, Ritchie is passionate about music. A guitarist and songwriter, he says sadness motivates him. “Since coming to the Raiders, I love my life, so the songs have been few and far between,” Ritchie said.
Music will soon be put on the backburner as the season gets underway. “Football is where it’s at and is my complete focus during the season.”
Now a four-year veteran on the squad, Ritchie feels the consistent high level of talent has continued into the 2002 season. “What’s great about this year is it’s another year under the same coaching staff and for those of us who have been around a while, we have an extra year of familiarity under our belts. We’re closer, better friends and more willing to go out and lay it on the line for one another.”
Ritchie says Coach Callahan and the coaching staff have succeeded in keeping the team together in the off-season. According to Ritchie, they have nurtured the positive relationships that need to be intact in order for the Silver and Black to succeed on the field.
