Al Davis Dead: Remembering the Life and Impact of NFL Legend

Oakland Raiders owner and NFL pioneer Al Davis died on Saturday at the age of 82, the Raiders announced on their official site.

Davis' impact on the NFL has shaped the game into what is today—the most popular sport in America.

"Al Davis's passion for football and his influence on the game were extraordinary," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell via the Wall St. Journal. "He defined the Raiders and contributed to pro football at every level. The respect he commanded was evident in the way that people listened carefully every time he spoke. He is a true legend of the game whose impact and legacy will forever be part of the NFL."

Davis turned the Raiders into perennial contenders during the 1970s and 1980s, winning three Super Bowls in that time.

Al Davis will long be remembered as a true legend of professional football, and someone who changed the game for the better in many ways.

Let's look the life of Davis during his hall of fame football career.

A Man with a Passion for Coaching

Born in Brockton, Massachusetts in 1929, Al Davis grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and went on to graduate from Syracuse University with a degree in English.

Soon after graduation, he began his coaching career at Adelphi College in 1950, then served as the head coach of Army in 1952, and also coached at The Citadel and the University of Southern California during the 1950's.

Becomes Raiders Head Coach, Turns Team into Winners

In 1963, Al Davis became the head coach and general manager of the Oakland Raiders, despite being just 33 years old.

In their first three seasons, the Raiders were 9-33, one of the worst teams in football. Davis' coaching immediately turned the franchise around, and the team went 10-4 in his first season in 1963.

For his success, he was named AFL coach of the year.

Equal Opportunity Executive

If Al Davis thought you could help his Raiders win football games, he gave you a shot—and this colorblind dedication to winning led Davis to break NFL barriers.

Davis hired the first black coach in modern NFL history in 1989 when he gave Art Shell the position. Tom Flores was the second Hispanic head coach and first Hispanic starting quarterback in NFL history, both distinctions coming with the Raiders under Davis' watch.

Flores also became the first minority coach to win a Super Bowl when led the Raiders to a 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXV.

Without Al Davis, minority players and coaches would not have the impact on the game they do today.

Built a Winning Machine

During Al Davis' tenure with the Raiders organization, the team won 15 division titles, five conference championships, and three Super Bowls.

Davis' Raiders played the game with great tenacity, passion and pride.

Stars such as quarterback Jim Plunkett, running back Marcus Allen, and defensive lineman Howie Long were among the greatest players at their position during their careers.

Davis turned the Raiders from perennial losers to a franchise that almost always contended for the playoffs.

Fought for Los Angeles to Have an NFL Team

Before the 1980 NFL season, Davis tried to make improvements to Oakland Coliseum, but failed to do so. He really wanted luxury boxes since they created good revenue.

Later that year he tried to move the Raiders from Oakland to Los Angeles by signing a Memorandum of Agreement. This required three-fourths of the league's owners to approve, and was unanimously shot down 22-0 out of the owners who voted.

David tried to move the team anyway, and when he found it difficult to do so, the team filed an antitrust lawsuit. In 1982 a jury found in favor of Davis and the Los Angeles Coliseum (the two were joined in a separate antitrust lawsuit).

This successful court decision allowed Davis to move the team to Los Angeles for the 1982 season, and they played their home games at the L.A. Coliseum, where the Los Angeles Rams had played a few seasons prior.

The city of Los Angeles loved its Raiders, and their Super Bowl win in 1983 remains just the city's second pro football championship in NFL history.

Eye for Talent

Some of Al Davis' recent player moves and draft picks haven't been that successful, but his resume as a whole is top-notch.

He was a great identifier of talent, and always found players that fit the Raider way of playing football.

His selection of offensive lineman Gene Upshaw in the 1967 draft, who was a speedy tackle in college, was not popular at the time.

Davis made him a guard, and Upshaw led the way for great running backs for years, helping the Raiders be one of the best ground teams in football.

Davis also saw that Nnamdi Asomugha, who was a great safety in college, could be a top NFL cornerback.

Made the Raiders a Unique Brand

The Oakland Raiders are one of the most recognizable brands in sports. The "Silver and Black" are symbols of the cities the team has played in and their fans, who are some of the most passionate in all of sports.

Whether they were in Los Angeles or Oakland, the Raiders were loved by their fans, and their popularity and support were always very high.

Al Davis Is a Main Reason the NFL Is What It Is Today

The NFL is the most popular sport in America, and Al Davis' impact on the game is a major reason why.

Not only did he create a winning team in Oakland and Los Angeles, he helped pave the way for minority coaches and players to have more opportunities to be successful.

He was as loyal a man that you'll ever find, and his passion for winning and putting his team before all else is an approach all owners, regardless of the sport, should take.

The NFL has lost a real legend of the sport on Saturday, but Davis' memory will live on for a long time.

Al Davis' famous saying was "Just win baby," and because of him, the NFL has been winning for a long time, and will continue to do so.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for the latest sports news and updates.  Follow @NicholasGoss35