Al Davis, 1929-2011
The NFL's last maverick has died. He was 82. The godfather of the Oakland Raiders was colorful, combative and controversial. He also was a three-time Super Bowl champion and a Hall-of-Famer. Raider Nation is in mourning.
- A day after Al Davis' passing, his Oakland Raiders paid him the ultimate tribute by winning a nail-biter that wasn't decided until literally the final second. Raiders 25, Texans 20. They just won, baby.
Coach Jackson Postgame SpeechHead Coach Hue Jackson addresses the team after the 25-20 win over Houston. Catch the last play of the game in Houston as Matt Schaub throws an interception leading to an emotional win for the Raiders and Hue Jackson after the passing of Al Davis.
Oakland Raiders hang to beat Houston Texans 25-20 - Inside Bay AreaHOUSTON -- The Raiders may face an uncertain future, but the present looked pretty good Sunday with a 25-20 win over the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Free safety Michael Huff intercepted an attempted back-handed flip pass intended for Jacoby Jones from Matt Schaub as time expired as the Raiders escaped with the victory.- And Raider Nation celebrated, albeit with a heavy heart.
- So did Raiders players after the game:
Great team win.. That was for Mr. AL Davis.. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to wear the silver and black. #RaiderNation
I just wanna thank the #raidernation for supporting us and this win was for AL. We love you AL and we'll never let your legacy die.This video is about Al Davis' accomplishments in professional football and his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame.
Here's a video of a past Raiders game they won in dramatic fashion:
Meanwhile, national sportswriters from the New York Times, the Boston Herald, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times continue to eulogize the man:
Al Davis Built a Unique Pro Football Résumé"The only person" it reads, to serve in professional football as a personnel assistant, an assistant coach, a head coach, a general manager, a commissioner and as an team owner and chief executive. The most significant words in that description are "the only person" because there was only one Al Davis.
Raiders Owner Al Davis, a Football Pioneer, DiesAl Davis, the pioneering and enigmatic owner of the National Football League's Oakland Raiders, has died, the team said. He was 82 years old. The winner of three franchise Super Bowl victories, Mr. Davis was one of the NFL's most successful owners.
Raiders' Al Davis, sport's ultimate bad guy, will be missedAl Davis is dead? It can't be true. I know the Oakland Raiders confirmed it Saturday morning, but you know how Davis loved to deceive, so anything is possible. It would not be surprising to see him show up Sunday in Houston, glaring down at his raucous team from behind press-box glass, wringing his bony hands, tightening his taut jaw, the emperor of black football and white satin.
Chuck Klosterman: Remembering Oakland Raiders Owner Al DavisWhat is one to make of a Jewish person who is fascinated by Adolf Hitler? How do we comprehend a man who goes out of his way to study the most hated thing he can imagine? In 99.9 percent of all possible scenarios, such paradoxical absorption would be dark and meaningful.
Peter King: Davis impacted football history, and did it on his own termsOn a Friday night in April 2004, the night before the NFL Draft, Davis was giving me a tour of his offices at the Raiders' facility in Oakland. In his inner sanctum, there were four large TVs on the wall, in a diamond configuration. He said he watched games in his office quite often.
With Al Davis’ death, game loses heartFive weeks ago the Oakland Raiders opened their season by beating the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football.” When the game was over, Al Davis’ players awarded him the game ball. In failing health, perhaps they sensed his time was short. Certainly Davis, whose obsession was information,...This video tries to define the outrageous outlaw style of the Oakland Raiders, an attitude that started at the top of the organization with renegade team owner Al Davis.
Jerry McDonald, the Raiders beat writer for the Oakland Tribune, wrote an excellent summation of Davis' life and career:
Obituary: Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis was truly one of a kind - Inside Bay Area
Al Davis, the iconic owner of the Raiders who built a pro football team in his own image, moved it to Los Angeles and then back again, died Saturday at age 82. The club announced his death on its website with the statement: JULY 4, 1929 -- OCT.
