Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis passed away today at the age of 82. Davis was a part of the Raiders organization since 1963.
He spent time as the head coach from (1963-1965), then became the commissioner of the AFL in 1966.
He would become the part-owner and general manager of the Raiders the following year. He kept that title until the AFL and NFL merged together in 1970.
Once the merged happened, Davis was named the owner and general manager of the Raiders. He was the owner from 1970 until this year, 2011.
In his time in the NFL he saw the Raiders win three Super Bowls (XI, 1976, XV, 1980 and XVIII, 1983). He also saw the Raiders win five AFC Championships (1967, 1976, 1980, 1983 and 2002). The 1967 win came in the AFL.
Davis will always be remembered as a winner in the eyes of Oakland Raiders fans. Younger NFL fans may not know who he is, but they should now.
Davis will be remembered as a legend by NFL followers forever, he was a big part of the start of the NFL.
Condolences go out to the entire Oakland Raiders organization, NFL and of course the Davis family.
Expect to see a fired up Raiders squad this Sunday in Houston honoring the late Al Davis. The Raiders will find a way to honor him the right way, maybe with a win.
Bears head coach Lovie Smith had this to say about Al Davis:
“You have to be sad a little bit when we lose one of our icons, one of the titans, innovators, all of that in the NFL in Al Davis,” said Smith following practice at Halas Hall. “You think about him, you think about their offensively vertical passing game, deep balls. And, as a defensive guy … ‘man’ coverage, bump-and-run. So we definitely lost one of the guys that has a lot to do with us having an opportunity to play this game on Monday night.”
All quotes from Chicagotribune.com
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