I've been a lifelong Raiders fan. As such, I had a love-hate relationship with Al Davis. Nonetheless, today is a sad day for much of the Raider Nation.
Whatever your feelings are about the man, his football accomplishments and contributions to the game, are undeniable.
In 1963, at age 33, Davis became the youngest head coach and general manager of a professional football team.
Under Davis, the Raiders became one of the most successful teams in all of professional sports. From 1967 to 1985 the team won 13 division championships, one AFL championship (1967), three Super Bowls (XI, XV, and XVIII) and made 15 playoff appearances.
Though the Raiders' fortunes have waned in recent years, they are one of two teams to play in the Super Bowl in four different decades, with the other being the Pittsburgh Steelers. Along with appearing in five Super Bowls, the Raiders have also played in their Conference/League Championship Game in every decade since their inception.
Davis hired the first black head coach of the modern era - Art Shell in 1988. He hired the first Latino coach, Tom Flores; and the first woman CEO, Amy Trask. And he was infallibly loyal to his players and officials: to be a Raider was to be a Raider for life.
Unfortunately, the game seems to have passed him by in the last decade or so, and it is unclear to me what plans he made for the team following his passing. Some say his son, Marc, will take over. We'll see.
Al Davis left an indelible mark on NFL football, and for that he will be long remembered.
RIP Al Davis...
ADG