He was an owner, general manager, a coach, commissioner, political activist and father to the Raider Nation.
Al Davis wore many more hats during his illustrious career, led by example and never wavered about doing it his way.
As commissioner of the AFL in the late 1960s, his aggressiveness and keen mind helped bring respectability to what he felt was the superior league. As a coach, Davis was at the helm of the organizations first winning season, establishing a tradition of success that would become trademark for his Silver & Black. When general manager, Davis saw no color lines, in the forefront, actively recruiting from small and predominantly black colleges, hiring minority scouts, coordinators and ultimately, head coaches.
The owner was polarizing. Yes controversies, constant litigation and wars with some other historical NFL figures were part of his career. But so was winning and doing it with a renegade style – exactly what he wanted, when he envisioned the Raider logo and colors as part of our social fabric.
Whether in Oakland, or Los Angeles, Davis personified the identity of his organization. No one man has ever been synonymous with his club.
The swashbuckling pirate on the helmet…
The black jerseys, intimidating and fierce looking on the field…
The rugged style of play, with an aerial attack that could strike at any time, along with a roster filled of cast-offs and mischievous personalities that came together to win three Super Bowl titles…
Al Davis envisioned it all, and ultimately, gave that history to the National Football League.
The man who coined the phrases ‘Commitment to Excellence’ ‘Just Win, Baby’ ‘Pride & Poise’ and other mantras that are attached to the Raiders, passed away this morning, but not his legacy, nor his fire for this organization to continue paving a path toward greatness.
Through the years, many have questioned Davis’ style of running the team; have bashed Oakland for their decisions on personnel and lack of success. I for one was one who questioned whether or not Davis would ever get his club back to what it once was.
Over the last 13-months, the Raiders have been revitalized. And it happened on Davis’ clock. He hired Hue Jackson, put together this current crop of Raiders and left the team in a good state – a far cry from the mess they were in the years following their last Super Bowl appearance.
I would’ve loved to see Davis lift the Vince Lombardi trophy one more time. All Raider fans wanted to hear, “Just Win, Baby,” once more after a Super Bowl victory. That won’t happen…
But as Davis once proudly said, “The greatness of the Raiders is in its future.”
HIS WAY…
“I don’t want to be the most respected team in the league,” Davis commented in 1981. “I want to be the most feared.”
You can never blame Davis for not trying. For not desiring to have the best, or for not aspiring to mimic what he once had in the past – a dominating team and an admired organization.
After the Raiders Super Bowl loss at the hand of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Davis wanted the veteran laced team to give it another go.
It just didn’t pan out.
In the years after, whether it was acquiring one of the most feared down field targets the NFL has ever seen – Randy Moss – or getting a big-armed passer with the first overall pick in the draft, to get that ‘vertical game’ back in action, Davis tried, and aimed to do it his way.
Just last off-season, he did it his way again, hiring Hue Jackson…
Not a black coach, but just a head coach.
The “bump and run,” made famous by Davis’ defensive backs over the years, is no fad, but a standard now in which all great cornerbacks are judged by.
His words and actions would land him a spot on football’s Mt. Rushmore.
In 1962, Sid Gillman stated, “There isn’t a doubt in Al Davis’s mind that right now he’s the smartest guy in the game. He isn’t, but he will be pretty damned soon.”
WHAT’S NEXT…?
Davis was the first to employ a woman CEO – Amy Trask – and at this point, it’s safe to say that she will continue to run the business aspect of the Raiders.
Personnel wise, since Davis was still heavily involved in player transactions, the draft and on the field decisions, it’s not clear in which direction the Raiders will go.
It’s almost impossible to conceive, that Davis will not be part of the decision making anymore in Oakland.
We’ve all wondered what the structure will be once he passed. Now that the time has come, there’s nothing but instability and question marks surrounding that aspect of the organization.
Will Jackson be given autonomy over his roster? Will there be an outsider, or someone with Raider ties, eventually operating hand-in-hand as general manager with the current coach?
YOU WILL BE MISSED…
For one day, as Nancy Gay stated on her twitter account, “we are all a part of the Raider Nation.”
It will be forever strange not seeing him in his luxury box during games. He rarely missed away games, just recently Davis couldn’t make the trip to Buffalo, but now, the void is immeasurable.
Davis will always be missed by the Raider Nation, but as long as the black jerseys are on the field, and the pirate logo is worn on the helmets…
We will always know that Al Davis is with the Raiders.
QUOTES AROUND THE LEAGUE
“Al Davis’ passion for football and his influence on the game were extraordinary. He defined the Raiders and contributed to pro football at every level. The respect he commanded was evident in the way that people listened carefully every time he spoke. He is a true legend of the game whose impact and legacy will forever be part of the NFL.” – NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell
“NFL lost a great one,a real legend! He gave me a chance and he did it all:coach,commissioner,scout and owner!No one better!He loved his team” – Ex-Raiders QB Rich Gannon on his twitter.
“Al Davis WAS the Raiders. HE made every big decision.” – Skip Bayless on his twitter.
“Al Davis, one of the most legendary figures in sports history…” Adam Schefter on his twitter.
“Al Davis was a man who’s impact on the #NFL will never be forgotten.” – Jerry Rice on his twitter.
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