Regardless of all the bad publicity Al Davis receives, and all the people that think he's lost his mind, Mr. Davis is a legend in his own time.
In 1963 Al Davis became the head coach and general manager of the AFL's Oakland Raiders. Before Davis' arrival in Oakland, the Raiders compiled a 9-33 record in their first three years of existence.
In Davis' first season with the Raiders, he led them to a 10-4 record and was named AFL Coach of the Year. In three seasons as the Raiders head coach Davis compiled a record of 23-16-3.
In April 1966 Davis was named the AFL commissioner, but would resign shortly after on July 25 1966 to buy a 10% stake in the Raiders organization. He would be named head of football operations.
With Davis in control, the Raiders became one of the most successful teams in all of professional sports.
From 1967 to 1985 the Raiders won 13 division championships, one AFL championship (1967), three Super Bowls (XI, XV, & XVIII) and made 15 playoff apperances.
The Raiders are only one of two teams to play in a Super Bowl in four different decades, with the other being the Steelers.
In 1992 Mr. Davis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Team and League Administrator.
Davis has always been known as a trailblazer. He hired the first Latino head coach in NFL history in 1979. (Tom Flores) In 1989 he hired the second black head coach in NFL history, (Art Shell). He has also placed a woman, Amy Trask, as president of the club, in a higher position than any other NFL owner or executive has placed a woman.
Just one day after Mr. Davis' birthday I thought it would be nice to take a look back at what makes him such a major figure in not only Raiders history, but the history of the AFL and NFL as well.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Oakland Raiders articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
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