New venue nicknamed ‘Death Star’ by owner

Mark Davis sat alone on a metal bench at the 35 Friday inside Allegiant Stadium a little more than an hour before the Las Vegas Raiders took the fiel.

Sitting to his left high over the north end zone in front of a glass wall that reveals the Luxor and Mandalay Bay casinos was the 95-foot torch honoring his late father, Al Davis.

“Welcome to the Death Star, where our opponents’ dreams come to die,” Davis said as he addressed the players from the base of the torch.

“My father always said that the greatness of the Raiders is in its future. Well, today that future really starts. This magnificent stadium was built on the backs of thousands of players, coaches, administrators, and fans, who for the past 60 years have proudly worn the Silver and Black. This is our field of dreams. This is our house,” he said.

The Raiders then broke in their new home with a scrimmage for which they donned full game uniforms and pads.

Washington

Coach Ron Rivera was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma located in a lymph node. Rivera, 58, has consulted with numerous doctors and experts and is planning to continue coaching.

Jaguars

Defensive lineman Josh Mauro was suspended without pay for the first five games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Elsewhere

The NFL hired Jonathan Beane as senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. Beane, who has more than 20 years of experience as a diversity practitioner, begins his duties Sept. 8. The league said Beane will “spearhead diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, and will collaborate with leadership to drive actionable change” throughout the NFL. The role will help cultivate a more inclusive culture within the league.