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Title: The Raiders said he died at his home in Oakland. Before there were owners like George Steinbrenner or Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban, there was Al Davis, an outspoken and successful irritant to the N.F.L., who fielded teams capable of championship-calibe
Source:
NY Times
URL Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/s ... ner-of-raiders-dies-at-82.html
Published: Oct 8, 2011
Author: Bruce Weber
Post Date: 2011-10-08 19:48:20 by Sebastian
Keywords: None
Views: 3895
Comments: 27
Al Davis, the irascible owner of the Oakland Raiders whose feuds with the N.F.L. reshaped professional football over the last half-century and helped spur its rise to pre-eminence in the landscape of American sports, died Saturday. He was 82. The Raiders said he died at his home in Oakland. Before there were owners like George Steinbrenner or Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban, there was Al Davis, an outspoken and successful irritant to the N.F.L., who fielded teams capable of championship-caliber play. Mr. Davis was hired by the Raiders to be the coach and general manager in 1963 and remained with the team almost continuously for nearly 50 years. He left briefly in 1966 to become the commissioner of the A.F.L., vowing to battle with the N.F.L. to sign the best players available. Many observers at the time believed that that attitude led N.F.L. owners to agree to play the A.F.L. in an annual championship game that would come to be called the Super Bowl. In 1970, the two leagues played a united schedule for the first time, creating the modern N.F.L. He was also one of a dwindling number of N.F.L. owners whose riches came primarily from the business of football. There were no hedge funds or shipping companies in Mr. Davis’s background. He simply ran the Raiders — the team appeared in five Super Bowls under his ownership, winning three — and his business model could be summed up by the phrase that became his franchise’s mantra: “Just win, baby!” “It’s tunnel vision, a tunnel life,” he once told People magazine. “I’m not really part of society.” Mr. Davis opposed the N.F.L.-A.F.L. merger. But becoming part of the N.F.L. did not stop him from trying to change it. Mr. Davis became the symbol of a franchise that garnered a reputation for outlaw personalities and a kind of counterculture sensibility. The Raiders were the first franchise in the modern era to have a Latino head coach (Tom Flores), a black head coach (Art Shell) and a female chief executive (Amy Trask). He feuded for decades with the former commissioner Pete Rozelle, and he sued the N.F.L. in the early 1980s so that he could move the Raiders from Oakland to Los Angeles. Then, 13 years later, he moved them back. “He is a true legend of the game whose impact and legacy will forever be part of the N.F.L.,” Roger Goodell, the league’s current commissioner, said in a statement Saturday. Mr. Davis generally inspired deep loyalty from his players, though he had an ugly battle with one of his stars, running back Marcus Allen, and when he got along with his head coaches (not a given) — most notably John Madden, who led the Raiders from 1969 to 1978, perhaps their most successful decade — they spoke warmly of him. Wherever the team called home, Oakland or Los Angeles, Mr. Davis was a fan favorite — until he wasn’t. In league circles, he was not always viewed fondly. Known for, or at least suspected of, underhanded ploys like bugging the visiting team’s clubhouse, he infuriated other owners with his relentless self-interest; Dan Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers once called him a “lying creep.” For his part, Mr. Davis once said of his fellow owners: “Not all of them are the brightest of human beings.” Don Shula, the Hall of Fame coach, once said of Mr. Davis, reporting on a conversation they’d had: “Al thought it was a compliment to be considered devious.” But he knew football. A shrewd judge of talent, especially early in his career, he became known for providing a home for gifted, wayward athletes, signing or trading for some players who were undervalued or given up on by other teams, like quarterbacks Daryle Lamonica, George Blanda and Jim Plunkett, and running back Billy Cannon and tight end Hewritt Dixon. He rehabilitated others, like receiver Warren Wells, defensive linemen Lyle Alzado and John Matuszak, and quarterback Ken Stabler, whose reputations were sullied (either before or after they became Raiders) by allegations of criminal behavior, drug use, gambling or other transgressions. The Raiders’ colors, silver and black, were chosen by Mr. Davis to intimidate. So was their insignia, a shield emblazoned with the image of a pirate in a football helmet in front of crossed sabers. The Raiders’ unofficial team motto — “Just win, baby!” — was reflected by the forceful style of play he encouraged, featuring brutal physicality on defense and speed and long passing on offense. 
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#1. To: Sebastian (#0)
Nice title...oaf. LOL
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
Franco Harris says "Hello" Captain Clitty... [snicker]
Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs
LOL MUCH better than your Commie-Cultist propaganda. MUCH better.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
He rehabilitated others, like receiver Warren Wells, defensive linemen Lyle Alzado and John Matuszak, and quarterback Ken Stabler, whose reputations were sullied (either before or after they became Raiders) by allegations of criminal behavior, drug use, gambling or other transgressions. Davis USED to know and rehab talent. The Raiders have been crap for the better part of 20 years. Davis did play a huge part in getting the AFL-NFL merger together. He was the balls of the operation.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Say what you will,but when you went up against the Raiders back when Davis and Madden were running the show,you played full-contact football for the whole 60 minutes. You could be 3 touchdowns again going into the 4th quarter,and they'd take it away from you.
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
That was a loooong time ago. But those days were far more exciting than these days.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Yeah, pretty much. And pretty much do to Davis.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
Even further back, to the Rauch-LaMonica years, imo. Too bad Davis ran Rauch off.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
LOL His home was in Piedmont.
Yep. And it was the clueless Davis who insisted on tossing a gazillion dollars at that POS QB, JaMarcus Russell.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Too bad Davis ran Rauch off. Don't know how or why he unloaded Rauch, but it was Rauch who put the original crazy Raider team together.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Remember Todd Marinovich? Wasn't that a Davis decision also?
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
Rauch fled Davis for Buffalo, iirc. Couldn't take the constant interference.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
Wasn't that a Davis decision also? HEH! Yep. Another crappy choice by Davis. He believed ALL losers could be reformed, so he foolishly paid as though they already were. The Raiders were a laughing stock for a looong time. I believe the guy became slightly insane.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
Aaaaahhhhh....Maybe Buffalo. Who could blame 'em? Davis was Steinbrenner before Steinbrenner was Steinbrenner. ;-)
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
That's quite a tagline. Would war or you mind if I used it as well? Has anyone informed war that ONLY bruthas get to use the word, "nigger®" gratuitously? Not even white liberal/leftist honkies have permission from Sharpton, Jackson, and Cornell West. I'm writing to the NAACP and the Congressional Black Caucus to get a verdict on this disturbing trend.
"It's not surprising, then, they [White Pennsylvanians] get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." ~ Comrade-in-Chief Barry Hussein 0bama
If I'm not mistaken, that leaves Ralph Wilson of the Buffalo Bills as the last of the original AFL owners.
A movie about the losing VP candidate is called "The Undefeated"?
Yep. Davis and the Raiders fall begin the day they let Jon Gruden go to Tampa. Same can be said for the Cowboys when they let Jimmy Johnson go. Cost both teams a full decade, all because of the owners ego's.
Proxy IP's are amusing.....lmao
Cost both teams a full decade, all because of the owners ego's. True on both count. Jones and Davis' egos are too massive to think clearly. Unlike George Steinbrenner who surrounded himself with sage advisers.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
*lol* Yeah, I'll go along with that.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
I don't mind. I considered it an instant classic when I first read the remark.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
The Raiders have sucked for 10 years.
Obama has played at being a president while enjoying the perks … golf, insanely expensive vacations at tax-payer expense. He has ignored the responsibilities of the job; no plans, no budgets, no alternatives … just finger pointing; making him a complete failure as a president
Worse than that, they've been boring for at least that long.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
Good call. IF he could, War would pull a Lawrence O'Donnell and lecture Cain on how to be a Black Man.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
The Raiders won again. Their oft-times mentally cuckoo kicker booted THREE FGs over 50 yards. IMO, they're still a fluke this year.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
His first piece of advice would probably be 'Find some loose shoes.'
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
They say that's a requirement for kickers but Janikowski takes it to new levels. He's pretty entertaining, though.
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
#2. To: Sebastian (#0)
The Raiders said he died at his home in Oakland. Before there were owners like George Steinbrenner or Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban, there was Al Davis, an outspoken and successful irritant to the N.F.L., who fielded teams capable of championship-calibe
#3. To: Brian S, Sebastian (#1)
Nice title...oaf.
#4. To: Sebastian (#0)
He knew football. A shrewd judge of talent, especially early in his career, he became known for providing a home for gifted, wayward athletes, signing or trading for some players who were undervalued or given up on by other teams, like quarterbacks Daryle Lamonica, George Blanda and Jim Plunkett, and running back Billy Cannon and tight end Hewritt Dixon.
#5. To: Sebastian (#0)
#6. To: sneakypete (#5)
Say what you will,but when you went up against the Raiders back when Davis and Madden were running the show,you played full-contact football for the whole 60 minutes. You could be 3 touchdowns again going into the 4th quarter,and they'd take it away from you.
#7. To: Liberator (#4)
The Raiders have been crap for the better part of 20 years.
#8. To: sneakypete (#5)
Say what you will,but when you went up against the Raiders back when Davis and Madden were running the show,you played full-contact football for the whole 60 minutes.
#9. To: Brian S (#1)
Nice title...oaf.
#10. To: Sebastian (#7)
#11. To: Sebastian, sneakypete (#8)
Even further back, to the Rauch-LaMonica years, imo.
#12. To: Liberator (#10)
And it was the clueless Davis who insisted on tossing a gazillion dollars at that POS QB, JaMarcus Russell.
#13. To: Liberator (#11)
Don't know how or why he unloaded Rauch
#14. To: Sebastian (#12)
Remember Todd Marinovich?
#15. To: Sebastian (#13)
Rauch fled Davis for Buffalo, iirc. Couldn't take the constant interference.
#16. To: Sebastian, war, Get Outta Dodge!! (#12)
Look Mildred!!! NIGGERS!!!! war posted on 2011-10-03 14:29:18 ET
#17. To: Sebastian (#0)
#18. To: Liberator (#10)
Yep. And it was the clueless Davis who insisted on tossing a gazillion dollars at that POS QB, JaMarcus Russell.
#19. To: Badeye (#18)
Davis and the Raiders fall begin the day they let Jon Gruden go to Tampa. Same can be said for the Cowboys when they let Jimmy Johnson go.
#20. To: Liberator (#15)
Davis was Steinbrenner before Steinbrenner was Steinbrenner.
#21. To: Liberator (#16)
That's quite a tagline.
#22. To: Sebastian (#0)
#23. To: no gnu taxes (#22)
The Raiders have sucked for 10 years.
#24. To: Sebastian (#21)
I considered it [war's "nigger" comment] an instant classic when I first read the remark.
#25. To: Sebastian (#23)
#26. To: Liberator (#24)
IF he could, War would pull a Lawrence O'Donnell and lecture Cain on how to be a Black Man.
#27. To: Liberator (#25)
Their oft-times mentally cuckoo kicker booted THREE FGs over 50 yards.
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