Leo Araguz Will Light Al Davis Torch Sunday
The former Raiders punter marks Hispanic Heritage Month before the team faces the Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Hispanic
Former Raiders punter Leo Araguz will take the field this Sunday, October 4, at Allegiant Stadium to light the Al Davis Memorial Torch. The ceremony is part of the organization's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Why it matters
The torch lighting serves as a pregame tradition honoring the team's history and community, with this weekend's ceremony highlighting contributions from Hispanic figures in sports. It anchors the fan experience ahead of the Raiders' game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Araguz tallied 12,023 total punting yards across his 51 games for the Raiders, averaging 42.9 yards per kick. His career includes an NFL-record 16 punts in a single game on October 11, 1998.
The players
Leo Araguz
Former Raiders punter who holds the NFL record for most punts in a game.
John Madden
The first person to light the Al Davis Memorial Torch in 2011.
Carol Davis
Member of the Raiders organization who lit the torch at Allegiant Stadium in 2020.
The details
The tradition of lighting the torch occurs before each home game at Allegiant Stadium, a ritual that began on October 18, 2011, with John Madden. Araguz, who originally signed with the Raiders in 1996, joins a line of figures selected by the organization for the ceremony. The event will precede the matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Paradise.
Timeline
1996: Leo Araguz signed with the Raiders.
October 11, 1998: Araguz set an NFL record for punts in one game.
October 18, 2011: John Madden first lit the memorial torch.
September 21, 2020: Carol Davis lit the torch at Allegiant Stadium.
October 4, 2026: Leo Araguz lights the memorial torch.
Beyond the Strip
The Al Davis Memorial Torch tradition represents a continuity of the team's identity from its Oakland roots to its current home in the Las Vegas Valley. Sunday's ceremony repeats this established ritual, linking past Raiders accomplishments to the current celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fans heading to Allegiant Stadium for the game should plan for pregame traffic congestion around the stadium area. The ceremony takes place before kickoff on Sunday.
The takeaway
The torch lighting ceremony highlights a piece of NFL history through the career of Leo Araguz. Keep an eye on the Raiders' official pregame schedule for timing updates regarding the torch ceremony.
Further reading
For more on community celebrations across the valley, visit Hispanic.
