Al Davis dies. R.I.P.

moosie · 10-08-2011, 10:25 AM

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis has died
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 8, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT
aldaviswhite Getty Images

Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders owner who was one of the towering figures of professional football over the last half century, has died.

The Raiders’ web site has confirmed that Davis passed away this morning. He was 82.

In 1963, the Raiders, at the time a struggling franchise in the upstart American Football League, hired the 33-year-old Davis to be their head coach and general manager. He instantly reversed the team’s fortunes and was named the AFL’s Coach of the Year in their first season.

After three seasons as the team’s head coach, Davis briefly left to become commissioner of the AFL, and his aggressive approach in competing head to head with the NFL was one of the reasons that the NFL’s owners agreed to merge with their rival league. With that mission accomplished, Davis settled into a new role as managing general partner of the Raiders, a role he would stay in for the rest of his life.

On Davis’s watch, the Raiders won Super Bowls XI, XV and XVIII. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and is the only person to serve as a personnel assistant, scout, assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner and team owner.

Davis will be remembered as one of the greatest contributors to the game of football that the sport has ever seen.

N2 GOLD · 10-08-2011, 10:28 AM

Wow?!?! R.i.p.

jledou · 10-09-2011, 08:55 PM

Love him or hate him, he did help shape football into the game it is today.

10-08-2011, 10:25 AM	#1
moosie Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Eric Location: Southern Cal Posts: 84 Trading: (0)	Al Davis dies. R.I.P. Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis has died Posted by Michael David Smith on October 8, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT aldaviswhite Getty Images Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders owner who was one of the towering figures of professional football over the last half century, has died. The Raiders’ web site has confirmed that Davis passed away this morning. He was 82. In 1963, the Raiders, at the time a struggling franchise in the upstart American Football League, hired the 33-year-old Davis to be their head coach and general manager. He instantly reversed the team’s fortunes and was named the AFL’s Coach of the Year in their first season. After three seasons as the team’s head coach, Davis briefly left to become commissioner of the AFL, and his aggressive approach in competing head to head with the NFL was one of the reasons that the NFL’s owners agreed to merge with their rival league. With that mission accomplished, Davis settled into a new role as managing general partner of the Raiders, a role he would stay in for the rest of his life. On Davis’s watch, the Raiders won Super Bowls XI, XV and XVIII. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and is the only person to serve as a personnel assistant, scout, assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner and team owner. Davis will be remembered as one of the greatest contributors to the game of football that the sport has ever seen.

10-08-2011, 10:28 AM	#2
N2 GOLD MIND OVER MATTER... Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: RICO Location: So. CAL 33° 44' 44" N / 117° 52' 0" W Posts: 2,330 Trading: (1)	Re: Al Davis dies. R.I.P. Wow?!?! R.i.p. __________________ When I want your opinion, I'll give it to ya.

10-09-2011, 08:55 PM	#3
jledou Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jay Location: Kansas Posts: 2,225 Trading: (27)	Re: Al Davis dies. R.I.P. Love him or hate him, he did help shape football into the game it is today.