Al Davis: A Prophet Without Honor

Can you imagine what it feels like to have a vision of success, and then to grow old and receive negative comments about your life and accomplishments?

Some of you might not be able to. Maybe you are too young to do so, or you have yet to accomplish your dreams. Maybe others, who are sitting at the pinnacle of their dreams, have forgotten what it took to get to that safe place.

Al Davis, the owner of the Oakland Raiders franchise, once lived in Flatbush, a section of Brooklyn, New York. As a student at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, I also lived in Flatbush for a while, in a "dinky" apartment that didn't have an elevator.

I must admit that I was determined to get out of school, make some money, and get out of Flatbush.

No doubt Al Davis felt the same way. He had his vision and rose up far above many of his peers and playmates from Flatbush.

Where did Al Davis get the guts to even dream of owning an NFL franchise? Who knows? Maybe his aspirations came from a source that some do not understand. One thing is certain: Al Davis is a fighter and he will not give up.

He is determined to stay around until he wins two more Super Bowls. After reading this, I now understand a little more about the Oakland Raiders situation.

It's clear to me that many perceive that Al Davis is hated, ridiculed, and misunderstood. Why are so many critical of Al Davis? He has done some good.

For example, Al Davis, refused to prop up the American "glass ceiling" by hiring a woman in a top position in the Oakland Raider franchise. Davis came under fierce and fiery criticism for hiring a woman.

Davis took a chance and he made decisions that thrust him and his franchise before the news media. Was he praised? Well, do your research and tell me in your next article.

Al Davis took a chance and hired those who others overlooked.

A popular source says:

"He hired the first Latino head coach in NFL history, Tom Flores , in 1979. In 1989, he hired the second African American head coach in league history, Art Shell . He has also placed a woman, Amy Trask , as president of the club, in a far higher position than any other NFL owner or executive has placed a woman."

Do you think that the general American public understood those moves during those times? I believe that some folks understood, but I know that others would have written acidic blogs in those days, if blogs existed in those days.

On Bleacher Report there have been comments suggesting that Al Davis is senile, out of touch, and so on. Are you sure? When is the last time you have sat with Al Davis to determine if he is lucid at 80 years old? Have you even had an invitation to do so?

One thing we have learned when we study history is that many great men are misunderstood and even crucified in one way or another.

Here is a quote that is heard in some communities:

"But Jesus said to them, 'Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.'"

In the Raider Nation, sometimes Al Davis is not honored. His decision to hire JaMarcus Russell has not been completely respected and honored. His decision to hire Tom Cable has not been fully honored. In the media, Al Davis has not been fully honored.

The only way to get to the hearts of some people is to ask them to imagine themselves in the situation that the object of their criticism holds.

If you grew up in Flatbush, and your dreams became a reality, and if you have become a senior owner of an NFL franchise, how would you feel if the younger people wanted to remove you from your pinnacle?

So, remember the words of wisdom, and realize that someday you, too, will not receive the honor you deserve.

Watch out! What goes around, they say, comes around.