The NFL lost a legend this past weekend when Raiders owner Al Davis died at 82 years old. The longtime Oakland boss leaves behind a strong, yet sometimes controversial legacy in the pro football world.
Davis wasn’t exactly a well-liked person in and outside of Oakland in recent years. The Raiders have consistently been one of football’s worst teams since making a Super Bowl appearance in 2002.
Davis also made some questionable personnel decisions that have haunted the franchise for several seasons. The Oakland head coaching position has been a revolving door for years that has seen the likes of Lane Kiffin, Art Shell, and Tom Cable come and go.
The drafting and investment in bust quarterback JaMarcus Russell wasn’t one of Davis’s smartest moves either. He appeared as a micro manager, a meddling owner who wanted supreme control. In recent seasons, that method proved to be unsuccessful.
But for the majority of his tenure, Davis was a bold leader for Raider Nation. After all, he did guide his team to Super Bowl wins in 1976, 1980 and 1983. He brought flair and winning teams to Oakland after little previous success.
Davis wasn’t always the most adored figure in sports, but his legacy in the NFL will live on forever.
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