A Legend Passes, A Legacy Remains
Al Davis has passed away, but his legacy burns brightly.
Words otherwise fail me at the moment. So I will simply give thanks.
I give thanks to Al Davis for creating a remarkable team culture around which my family could rally and bond over the years and decades. For helping forge the NFL as we know it today. For assembling some of the most colorful winners in the history of sports. For being the touchstone of the Raider Nation. And for once again putting the Raiders back on the path to excellence.
They say that the Autumn Wind is a Raider. On this October morning, it blows strongly with reverence and remembrance.
UPDATE: GUEST TAKE FROM BLANDAROCKED
To the 2011 Oakland Raiders (players and coaches), October 8, 2011
Gentleman:
Perhaps the greatest NFL name in the history of the sport died today. Modern football is nearly the pure creation of Al Davis’ mind and will. As of today, your names will forever be linked with his. No matter your youth, you are the end of an era, the end of multiple generations. No season in Raider history will be remembered more than this one.
I believe no Raider team since before the team returned from Los Angeles had more Al Davis fingerprints than this one. Since Al Davis was the individual personification of the Oakland Raiders, this season, more than any other will serve to vindicate the legacy that Raider football is winning football.
Al Davis believed in all of you and knew that you were capable of far more than you’ve accomplished. He was so certain of it that he fired Tom Cable for not getting you to the playoffs. It is time to fully commit to Raider football and to believe in Al Davis.
Remember that brilliance is born of opportunity. Opportunity comes from being in the right place at the right time. You find yourself in the right place at the right time when you know, perfect, and complete your assignments. There isn’t a man on the team who is incapable of delivering at least that much, but from that much, more will follow.
Your duty is clear, and the duty of Oakland Raider fans is clear. For you, “just win, Baby!” And no more needs to be said. For us, we’ll stand beside you every step of the way.
BlandaRocked
Words otherwise fail me at the moment. So I will simply give thanks.
I give thanks to Al Davis for creating a remarkable team culture around which my family could rally and bond over the years and decades. For helping forge the NFL as we know it today. For assembling some of the most colorful winners in the history of sports. For being the touchstone of the Raider Nation. And for once again putting the Raiders back on the path to excellence.
They say that the Autumn Wind is a Raider. On this October morning, it blows strongly with reverence and remembrance.
UPDATE: GUEST TAKE FROM BLANDAROCKED
To the 2011 Oakland Raiders (players and coaches), October 8, 2011
Gentleman:
Perhaps the greatest NFL name in the history of the sport died today. Modern football is nearly the pure creation of Al Davis’ mind and will. As of today, your names will forever be linked with his. No matter your youth, you are the end of an era, the end of multiple generations. No season in Raider history will be remembered more than this one.
I believe no Raider team since before the team returned from Los Angeles had more Al Davis fingerprints than this one. Since Al Davis was the individual personification of the Oakland Raiders, this season, more than any other will serve to vindicate the legacy that Raider football is winning football.
Al Davis believed in all of you and knew that you were capable of far more than you’ve accomplished. He was so certain of it that he fired Tom Cable for not getting you to the playoffs. It is time to fully commit to Raider football and to believe in Al Davis.
Remember that brilliance is born of opportunity. Opportunity comes from being in the right place at the right time. You find yourself in the right place at the right time when you know, perfect, and complete your assignments. There isn’t a man on the team who is incapable of delivering at least that much, but from that much, more will follow.
Your duty is clear, and the duty of Oakland Raider fans is clear. For you, “just win, Baby!” And no more needs to be said. For us, we’ll stand beside you every step of the way.
BlandaRocked
posted by Raider Take at 7:46 AM
53 Comments:
Wow. I think we all knew this day was coming soon but I simply can't imagine the Raiders without Al Davis. RIP one of the greatest owners of all time. The NFL is a better league because of him and the legacy of the Raiders nonexistent without him.
To 1 one the greatest football legends of our lifetime has left us. He built not only a NFL team, but built a loyal fan base of fans from all walks of life. Love or hate him, it really didn't matter. He was a human being who sought 1 thing and 1 thing only: Winning!
I am very saddened today. We've all had our issues with how things were run as of late. But in the end it didn't really matter. The NFL has truly lost a legend that can never be replaced or recreated ever again.
"Al Davis, thank you for being the man you were. I love the Raiders cause you were the Raiders until your dying day."
Well said, Doobie and MrDuva32.
This take has been updated with a guest take from BlandaRocked. Please read.
Even though I did not agree with the way Mr. Davis ran the team in his later years, never did I want him dead. Mr.Davis was a great man and accomplished many great things in the Pro Football world. He is a legend, an icon that will never be forgotten. I have been very hurt by this news as I am sure all Raider fans are. It's not the time to be pointing fingers and claiming yourself as a true fan or not. This is about remembering the greatest Raider of them all. He lived a great life and I hope he is speaking to the Greatest one of them all, right now. It's time for the boys and the coaches to win it all for Mr.Davis. GO RAIDERS.
JONES
RIP Al Davis. Football would not be what it is today without you, and you will be sorely missed by all.
Even though I didn't agree with how he ran the team the last decade, no one can argue his brilliant mind. He was sharp to the end.
Very sad day in Raider Nation!
i agree with jones nate 75. nothing else needs to be said about the man and his accomplishments in the NFL. may al davis rest in peace.
now let's just hope mark davis does the right thing - FINALLY hires a GM and let's go win us some damn superbowls!
Al Davis was one of the last true visionaries of our era. a man that shunned the common school of thought, went his own direction reguardless of backlash and popular opinion. a man that believed in himself and his way. The Raider Way.
From signing castoffs to hiring minorities into high positions, Al Davis was a trend setter not a reactor to trends. his path will be followed forever. he changed the landscape of everything around him because of his way of thinking.
the term Maverick is too overused and looses some of its descriptive luster. we need some synonyms to this term to better describe this self made man, this innovator, this visionary. A man that truly walked his own path and paved the way for generations and generations to come.
thank you Al Davis for everything you've given me, i am proud to say that you are truly my lifelong hero. i will fly your Raider flag for the rest of my life.
R.I.P Coach Davis
this company (raiders) is now in a state of flux, where no one knows what will happen to it. much like the passing of steve jobs, apple's future is now in question. the first thing for mark davis to do is hire a GM and get this franchise pointed in the right direction. although a GM might not be hired for a while, at least not while hue is still on board. the new GM would probably want to hire his own hand-picked coach and staff.
with all due respects to al davis, this is the right thing to do.
Davis created, built, and cemented the image and identity of the Raiders. This end to an era brings about change, uncertainty, and ultimately, a new chapter in Raiders football.
I am hopeful that with the passing of the legendary Davis that the transition brings about modernizing the organization and operation yet keeps the spirit and essence of Davis forever burning brightly.
To the AL DAVIS HATERS......
YOUR WISH CAME TRUE.....
TO THE REST OF US.....MY CONDOLENCES...A GREAT MAN IS GONE FOREVER THE WORLD HAS BECOME WEAKER
We as members of Raider Nation all felt his influence even though none of us actually met the man or knew him intimately. As a Raider fan for the past 41 years I always tried to approach life as Mr. Davis approached football, unapologetic, focused, dedicated, and accepting nothing less than being the best. Many fans believed he stayed too long and I was starting to believe that too the last 4 or 5 years. But now something is brewing in Raiderland and it is all due to the handy work of the man we thought was done. My biggest regret right now is that he wont be on that podium one more time when the Raiders are on top again, be it this year, next year, or the year after that.
Thank-you Mr. Davis for giving us all something special the past 48 years, and allowing all of us to be something special also. I, we, are forever indebted to you.
RaiderMike
Al Davis...
A scout, asst. coach, head coach, GM, commissioner, and owner.
A visionary, a legend, a winner.
Al Davis....A Raider.
My 2 favorite memories of Al Davis.
1984, my first taste with the Raiders at age 10. They had just beat the Steelers to advance to the AFC Championship. My dad set up canopies, tables, chairs, microphones, etc for the press conferences. As he was breaking everything down, Mr Davis gave my dad 4 tickets to the AFC Championship against the Seahags, and that my friends, was my first game.
Move forward 3 years. Walter Payton is in town for his last game. My dad and I are a few hours early to the LA Coliseum, and the gate to the track was open and Mr Davis was walking by. My dad gave me the program (which I still have), and told me to go get his autograph. I ran onto the field (age 13), and Mr Davis said, "Hey young man!" I waved and said, "Hey Mr Davis!" as I ran by him to the 50 yard line where the Raiderettes were. As I was getting autographs, Mr Davis tapped my shoulder and told the ladies, "He's a man after my heart, he ran right by me to come to you ladies!" We all laughed, and I will never forget it. My only regret was he did not, and would not sign it.
Long live the greatness of Al Davis, and long live the greatness of the Raiders!
This is a very sad day. The man essentially shaped football as I know it. Although for years I’ve wanted Mr. Davis to step down as GM, I guess I just assumed he would always be there as owner, no matter who managed the team or the organization. His death deeply hurts.
I think back on the three Super Bowls titles I watched the Raiders win in my lifetime and it makes me very proud to be a Raiders fan. I have Al Davis to thank for that. Thank you Mr. Davis, and may you rest in peace.
Sunday will be an extremely important day of remembrance, not just for the Raiders and their fans but for the entire NFL and all football fans. I expect it to be an emotional day as well.
This is tremendous!
“Tomorrow we will go out there & celebrate the life of Mr. Davis and honor him by laying it all on the line…so thankful he made me a Raider.” –- Raiders tight end Kevin Boss
The classiest thing Lance Kiffin has done:
“I was very saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Al Davis,” Kiffin said in a statement. “He was an iconic figure in the history of professional football and built a truly legendary franchise with the Raiders.
I consider myself fortunate to have known him and to have been a part of that Raiders history. Even though our relationship did not end the way I would have liked, I have nothing but the greatest respect for Mr. Davis and I truly appreciate the opportunity he afforded me and so many young coaches, players and staff. My thoughts go out to his family and to the family and fans of the Raiders past and present.”
Lane Kiffin is a two face piece of garbage! He just put down Al Davis not to long... And now he claims he is sad and he tries to make things seem like he and Al were all good. Well no they werent. Lane was an unloyal man and never deserved to wear the silver and black! Im a USC fan an I hate the fact he is the head coach there!
I Was Feeling Down Yesterday But Didn't Really Know Why...
My last post was about not being able to get any emotion up about this coming game and than I just quit posting or reading…To come back in and see this 1st thing this morning here was devastating to say the least…Than it struck me that this is why I was feeling down…If that’s humanly possible…From some 10,00 mile outside USAirspace that a fan could feel deaths approach?…I don’t know??…I only know how down I was feeling and how sad I am now…I loved that man…Born the same year as my father he exemplified everything I have cherished in my life…This will take a very long time to heal!!!
Rest In Peace Knowing That Many Many Loved And Respected You…And That We Always Will!!!
KevinBossman Kevin Boss
by CorkOnTheNFL
Tomorrow we will go out there & celebrate the life of Mr. Davis and honor him by laying it all on the line…so thankful he made me a Raider
JeromeBoyd Jerome Boyd
by CorkOnTheNFL
My heart go out to everybody he has touched and feels like I do right now… R.I.P. Mr. Davis & THANK YOU for everything u have done for me
MikeMitchell34 Mike Mitchell
by CorkOnTheNFL
R.I.P. Mr. Davis. I’m am forever in debt to you. Thank you for drafting me and changing my life. #justwinbaby!
theDHB85 Darrius Heyward-Bey
by CorkOnTheNFL
R.I.P Coach Al Davis … Thank you for everything. You’ve changed my life. A true players Owner #JustWinBaby
bgradkowski5 Bruce Gradkowski
by CorkOnTheNFL
My prayers go out to the Davis family and #raidernation! A big loss for the football world #NFL Mr davis is one of a kind!
Rockgotti25 Rock Cartwright
by CorkOnTheNFL
R.I.P. Mr. Al Davis.. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to wear the Silver and Black.. #RaiderNation..
CelReece45 Marcel Reece
by CorkOnTheNFL
Thank you Al Davis for giving me the chance to live out my dream! I am proud to be a Raider and enjoyed our close relationship.
SRoutt26 Stanford Routt
by CorkOnTheNFL
It pains me to say this…R.I.P. to the greatest sports owner to ever walk the earth…Allan Davis… #YouKeptYourPromise
Quen_Groves52 Quentin Groves
by silverandblackp
RIP AL Davis 1929-2011…When everyone wrote me off..He saw something in me..For tht I’m forever thankful…#ONENATION #RAIDERNATION
michaelbush29 Michael Bush
by silverandblackp
Never got 2 say thanks #mr.davis 4 giving me the chance 2 be a Raider ur a legend 2 the nfl My thoughts n prayers go out 2 the davis family
RaiderOnly...
Your so right!!...Now all the little "RatPack"s that Hated on the man will come out and disgrace his life with their lying words of respect...But we all know who you are and we don't believe!!!
PantyRaider...Loved -n- Respected Him In Life...Love -n- Respected In Death!!!/_
So what is Kiffin suppose to say....I appreciate the fact that he had the coutage to express his feelings
Mr. Davis deserves all the respects and accolades from everybody, including Kiffin.
LONG LIVE THE GOD OF FOOTBALL MR. AL DAVIS
RIP Mr Al Davis I've always been a believer....Always will be....
Anno 9:22 PM
Just keep his freakin mouth shut!!!
There was NO need for him to release a statement about anything...It was just an opportunity for him to take center stage off the death of a man of whom he wasn't fit to was his jock!!!
Sapp/Hall and the rest of the out right Haters!!!....Moss-n-Porter and others who took a shit on our shield!!!...Don't try to pollute the man's life with your false words of respect!!!
For those who wished his death upon us...You know who you are!!!...Those who continually spoke out against him -n- blamed him for everything under the sun...You know who you are!!!
PantyRaider....You Showed NO Respect In His Life...Please Have Enough Decency In His Death To Just Shut The Fuck Up!!!/_
Tomorrow's game and the 2011 season takes on an entirely different scope and meaning with the passing of Davis.
The best way for the players and coaches to honor Davis is to lay it all on the line every snap, every Sunday.
Inspirational football and unified fans as a means to pay tribute to a true legend of the game.
@murph918 Louis Murphy Jr
R.I.P to our owner Al Davis. He was such pioneer to the game of football. If it wasn’t for you, a lot of us players wouldn’t be where we are
@ZachMiller86 Zach Miller
RIP Al Davis.. Happy to say I got the pleasure of playing for him for 4 years. Prayers go out to his family & friends
@TerrellePryor Pryor
Just Win baby—Al Davis
dmcfadden20 darren mcfadden
by CorkOnTheNFL
It’s a sad day for tha raiders organization, I jus wanna send my prayers out to Mr. Davis family he will be deeply missed
Mr_Wimbley96 Kamerion Wimbley
by CorkOnTheNFL
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Al Davis. He was an extraordinary man. I send my sincerest condolences to his family.
MoSSwag94 Jarvis Moss
by CorkOnTheNFL
Let the football GoDs shine down on us AL Davis! Thx for everything !!
Perhaps Al's deteriorating health was an issue during this very uncharacteristic "FA" period and a contributing factor in that $5-$8 Mil Cap still being left on the books...
Al was not seen at all at training camp and unable to make the travel to Buffalo...One report said he had trouble making it to his box before the "NE" game??...I don't remember if he was able to make that "Donkey" game but it seems as I remember he did not...
I do remember several times the "Mediot"s questioning Hue's relationship with Al and how Hue just redirected those questions away from him or saying he had a nice conversation with him the day before???
No doubt in house under that "Cone-o-Silence" much more was known than what any of us had access to...The team -n- front office were prolley very well prepared for the worse...
I also remember a few changes this season...At camp several times fans were welcomed in preempted by a special day for all the Season Ticket holders and Booster Club Members...Almost like Al saying ThankYou before he left us???
Always to be remembered his very last draft selection was also the very 1st time he ever took part in the "Sup-Draft"..."QB" Terrelle Pryor...
None of us know what the future will hold or how this team will respond to Al's loss...I only know I will go on with this franchise and support it with the same die hard commitments that I was willing to extend thew life to Al Davis...But than he earned every last moment of my faith in him...His son or who ever becomes the new face of the franchise will now have to do the same...Earn the love by displaying the same kind of love and commitment to the fans and this team as Al did throughout his time with us...
PantyRaider...Huge Shoes To Fill Regardless Of Who That New Face Is!!!/_
Some have already began to speculate that now without Al at the helm we will see something different from our "D" and all our coaches in general sense they now have the final word!!!...Not surprising the "HateTripper"s didn't waste any time!!!
It's Not The Coaches -n- Players In Whom I Want To See If There's Change!!!
It’s those gad damn "Mediot"s -n- fuckin NFL "Zebra"s who have lived out their lives bashing the greatest man to ever perform in this game…Will they continue their crap even in the face of his death??…Will they continue to take away from this team and it’s fans the joys of “V”??….That’s what I’ll be watching for!!…Not just this week but in the weeks to come…
PantyRaider...The Ghost Of Davis Will Be At These Games Demanding Our "V"!!!/_
Guys,
I’ve been out a while dealing with health issues of my own for the past year. But, something like this requires I come back. Good words Blanda.
Rest In Peace Coach Davis. You are now part of The Autumn Wind. Thanks for the memories. You will be missed.
H
H...
Nice to hear from you Bro....Hope your health issues improve and enjoy the rest of the season...We have already buried far too many of our friends so stay up and keep pumping!!..
Or you can join in and remember his life while morning his death with the rest of us...
http://www.silverandblackpride.com/2011/10/8/2478430/just-win-baby
PantyRaider...Al Will Always Be With Us!!!/_
I just read this and had to pass it on...Not my words but I wish to have said it:
"if there was a Mt Rushmore of football Mr Davis would be one of the faces represented with the other names Like Halas ,Lombardi, and Hunt. If I were a Hollywood writer I would end this script by having Hue hoist the Lombardi trophy and saying this one is for Coach"
Damn!!...Now that would be an appropriate climax!!!
http://www.raiders.com/media-vault/photo-gallery/Mr-Davis-Tribute/20151de6-a593-4801-9d60-8e8b8c0ce425
http://www.raiders.com/media-vault/photo-gallery/Fans-Pay-Respects/7db68193-fd80-4236-834f-e5aa59ced3e7
Radio coverage on the net:
http://www.raiders.com/media-vault/photo-gallery/Fans-Pay-Respects/7db68193-fd80-4236-834f-e5aa59ced3e7
Game on the net:
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/85135/1/watch-houston-texans-vs-oakland-raiders.html
Correction:
That url got mixed up for the radio coverage...This is the right one:
http://player.streamtheworld.com/liveplayer.php?callsign=CMNRAIDERS
Raiders | Week 5 Inactives
Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:44:00 -0700
The Oakland Raiders have declared CB Chimdi Chekwa, CB Chris X. Johnson, WR Louis Murphy, FB Marcel Reece, DL Matt Shaughnessy, TE Richard Gordon, OT Stephon Heyer inactive for Week 5.
Go Raiders!!!
Coach Davis left them with a plan
VittorioTafur Vittorio Tafur
Talking to people here, Trask and Mark Davis have a list and will start search for #Raiders director of football operations immediately
this game already looks like it's gonna be UGLY! the texans are moving the ball at will.
And to all the no class idiots who use Mr. Davis' passing to pump their own chest and act as if they are the real Raider fan. It's disgusting, calling others haters because they did not agree with how the team was run. The time of his passing is a time to remember him, not a time to throw hate at others who didn't agree with him. But it's not really about the Raiders with these types, it's about their own ego and that's what it will always be about. It hurts those who didn't agree with him just as much as to those who idolized his every move. So all you who are using this event to spew hate and pump their own chests....you just show once again how self absorbed you are and it is ugly.
JONES
You stupid lying Bitch...Your the one who posted this team will never win till Davis is dead!!!
Your one of the stupid bitches that was constantly pimping the NFL to relieve him of is duties!!!
God damn LIAR!!!
offense looks like crap. their D is too tough
I'm not going to use his death to get into a propaganda match with you. You show your low level class with your sick bullshit. I'm not going to stoop to your level, I always said Mr.Davis should give the job to someone else while he worked on a stadium deal...you have no class and your ego is bigger than your brain = bad combo.
JONES
the only thing that'll stop the texans is themselves
under 2 minutes in the half and FINALLY a 1st down!
then ford drops the ball!
we're still in this game. let's knock off the penalties dammit!
that last holding call was BS!
What up with your LIES!!!
"I always said Mr.Davis should give the job to someone else while he worked on a stadium deal..."
BullShit!!!...Al was not working on any stadium deal the past 3 seasons!!!...Stop your gad damn Lying!!!...What a total puke!!!
Al was right..."DHB" is a player and showing it!!!
Half Stats: Down 12-14
OAK HOU
First Downs 4 10
Total Yards 141 228
Passing Yards 130 172
Rushing Yards 11 56
Penalties (Yds) 7(47) 3(25)
Turnovers 1 1
Punts (AVG) 4(47) 5(33)
Time of Pos. 11:03 18:55
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
J. Campbell 9/19 132 1 1
Rushing CAR YDS TD LG
D. McFadden 6 12 0 5
J. Ford 1 -1 0 -1
Receiving REC YDS TD LG
D. Heyward-Bey 5 85 1 34T
J. Ford 2 30 0 22
D. Hagan 1 13 0 13
D. McFadden 1 4 0 4
Fumbles FUM LOST REC YDS
D. Moore 1 0 0 0
T. Jones 0 0 1 0
Kicking FG LG XP PTS
S. Janikowski 2/2 55 0/0 6
we stopped them on their 1st possession in the 2nd half. things are looking a little better now. let's go team!
"JC" makes one good pass and than another bad one...Inconsistent as all hell...He fell apart last week and contributed to that loss so I hope the hell he gets it together before he helps lose this one too!!!
panty, jano so far is our hero for today...
"TD" Raiders!!!...Finally up 21-17...
Hue I love you!!!
4-n-3 go for it and long run for 1st dn!!!
Gameday thread is up.
I try and write a haiku a day to keep my sanity . . . yesterday I wrote a Renku (a group of haikus) in honor of a great man who will only be appreciated by we who like to think we understand him, and hopefully history.
Silver linings dim
A black sadness envelopes
A Nations' heads hang
A rogue individual
A rebel visionary
Silver linings shine
Reflecting the long shadow
Of a true giant
Stubborn idealism
Fierce loyalty, compassion
Silver and Black Pride
A far reaching legacy
Al Davis, Raider
Rest in peace Al . . . I never had the courage to live my life as independently as you did, but you have inspired me to follow my individuality as much as possible. You were not a role model, you were an example, of a life lived on one's own terms . . . a latter day cowboy, a pioneer, an American, in the truest sense of each word. You will be missed, but I pray never forgotten.
NYC Raider Fan / Raider Pete / Conch Republican
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