Al Davis, Former Raiders Owner, Dies at 82
Davis, who owned the Raiders for nearly 50 years, was a controversial figure in the NFL.
He was known for his feuds with the league and his win-at-all-costs mentality.
Al Davis, the former owner of the Oakland Raiders, died Saturday at the age of 82. Davis, who owned the Raiders for nearly 50 years, was a controversial figure in the NFL. He was known for his feuds with the league and his win-at-all-costs mentality.
Davis was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1929. He played college football at Syracuse University and then served in the U.S. Army. After his military service, Davis began his coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California. He later became the head coach of the Raiders in 1963.
Under Davis's leadership, the Raiders became one of the most successful teams in the NFL. They won three Super Bowls and appeared in five others. Davis was also a key figure in the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. He served as the commissioner of the AFL from 1966 to 1969.
Davis was a controversial figure throughout his career. He was often at odds with the NFL and its commissioner, Pete Rozelle. Davis also had a reputation for being a ruthless businessman. He was known for firing coaches and players who did not meet his expectations.
Despite his controversies, Davis was a respected figure in the NFL. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. He was also named the NFL Executive of the Year in 1982.
Davis's death is a major loss for the NFL. He was a larger-than-life figure who helped shape the league into what it is today.
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