Al Davis dead at 82

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


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.

More here: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...avis-has-died/

RIP

Although he became sort of a joke later in life, Al built some great Raiders teams in the 70s and 80s. They played football the way the Steelers played football.

RIP, Al.

He was a good man during the rise of the AFL and during the merger and subsequent years when the Raiders and the Steelers dominated the NFL.


I'm sure there are a few black and silver fans that are both in mourning and in jubilation.

Al Davis.

Just when the Raiders are showing some signs of respectability again too.