Desmond Ridder is the newest addition to the Las Vegas Raiders roster and he showed his true colors with reporters on Wednesday as he struggled to hold back the tears when talking about his daughter, the opportunity to play in the NFL, and to provide for his young family.

Signing Ridder was perhaps not the preferred option for the Raiders as it only came about because of a thumb injury to starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell. It then became apparent they could not fully rely on Gardner Minshew or rookie player Carter Bradley.

The Raiders scoured their options and saw the availability of Ridder, who had fallen out of favor at Arizona Cardinals having been placed on their practice squad. Previously, he spent two seasons at the Atlanta Falcons. Prior to joining the NFL, Ridder’s four years at Cincinnati yielded tremendous success as he left as the school’s record holder in key departments like total yards, passing, rushing, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns.

Now, he’s at the Allegiant Stadium — a place even he wasn’t expecting. And the emotional journey came through when talking to the media this week.

“I was just cut three months,” Ridder said. “That should be enough opportunity, motivation, to keep me going any time.”

Then, his voice started breaking. “Back home, I got the call and everything. You know, my daughter is like, ‘Daddy, where you going?’ I’m like, gotta go to Vegas. I’d do everything for them, for my family. This is another opportunity to prove to them, myself, to everyone that I can be out here and go do this.”

For Ridder, it is even an opportunity to silence his critics or to anyone who doubted him. He’s determined to out-perform, prove the Cardinals wrong, and put himself in a position where he’s never overlooked again. “It’s not to the rest of the league but, really, to myself,” he said.

Desmond Ridder fights back the tears talking to Las Vegas reporters in October.

Desmond Ridder fights back the tears talking to Las Vegas reporters in October. ( 

Image:

Vegas Sports Today)

Opportunity is something he will likely find at the Raiders, who have returned only two wins from seven, are bottom of the AFC West, and haven’t put a win on the leaderboard since September 29. With no clear option at quarterback, Ridder could find himself getting game time in the near future. When that will be, though, remains unclear.

However, the Raiders take on the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on October 27 at the Allegiant Stadium before games at Cincinnati Bengals on November 3 and then the Miami Dolphins on November 17.