Longtime Raiders Fan Damian Lillard Throws Support Behind Antonio Pierce

Lillard had plenty to say on the Raiders’ looming decision about Antonio Pierce’s future.

We can add another tally under the “supporters of Antonio Pierce” as the next full-time head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Milwaukee Bucks star and longtime Raiders fan Damian Lillard was asked about Antonio Pierce recently and was quick to offer major praise for the team’s interim head coach.

“I rock with AP, I rock with AP man. I’m a super fan of player coaches because I feel like they can relate more than anything,” Lillard told Vegas Sports Today. “They lived it, they won at the highest level, you can tell the players respect him. And I think in professional sports when you can be a leader of men and they respect you, you can get a lot more out of a team than a lot of people can.”

Dame has spoken. #AP2LV 🏴‍☠️@Dame_Lillard #RaiderNation #BTB

(Via @VegasSports // @MikeDixon_VST ) pic.twitter.com/n5PsvVnBJW

— Mike🏁🏁☁️ (@mikeaveli24) January 16, 2024

It’s high praise from Lillard, and Pierce certainly positioned himself well to have a shot at being named the team’s next head coach. 

Prior to being named the interim head coach, the Raiders were 3–5 under Josh McDaniels and proceeded to go 5–4 under Pierce. This stretch included victories over the Kansas City Chiefs and two other AFC West rivals in the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos.