Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
The last owner of an NFL team in Los Angeles died this morning at home in Oakland. The Oakland Raiders website posted a statement, which reads in part:
The Oakland Raiders are deeply saddened by the passing of Al Davis.Al Davis was unique – a maverick, a giant among giants, a true legend among legends, the brightest star among stars, a hero, a mentor, a friend.
Al Davis was the only person in professional football history to have been a scout, assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner and owner.
He was an innovator, a pioneer with a deep love and passion for the game of football. His contributions to the game are innumerable and his legacy will endure forever through generations of players, coaches, administrators and fans.
"One of the iconic figures in professional football," says ESPN. Davis was a major mover in the American Football League and its commissioner for a time before the league merged into the NFL. In 1992 was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At that time, from 1982-1995, the Raiders played in the Los Angeles Coliseum. He took on the league in court to win the right to move to L.A., and even after leaving for Oakland again, he sued to obtain ongoing rights to the Los Angeles market. Going way back, he had been a coach for the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFL in 1961, and before that a coach at USC.
Sean Gregory at Time.com.
Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, who died at his home on Saturday morning at 82, was never beloved outside of Raider nation. A fellow owner once called him a "lying creep." He was the George Steinbrenner of football owners: bullying, arrogant – “Just win, baby!” – and during his later years, a subpar talent evaluator. But his innovative football mind, and aggressive executive approach that led the Raiders to three Super Bowl wins, shaped the NFL as we know it. Thanks to Al Davis, the NFL is better. And much more badass.
His Raiders won three Super Bowls — Davis' mantra was "just win, baby." He hired the first black head coach of the modern era in Art Shell, the second Latino coach in Tom Flores, and the first woman CEO, Amy Trask. There will be a moment of silence for Davis at all NFL games this weekend.
Photo: Pro Football Hall of Fame
Edited post