Al Davis Death: Raider Nation Reacts to Passing of Its Leader

The news that prolific Oakland Raiders owner and NFL legend Al Davis is both shocking as sad, and Raiders nation is undoubtedly reeling right now.

Ask anybody associated with the NFL to give you one word on Davis and I can almost guarantee you it would be this one more often than not: pioneer.

Davis was one of the most passionate, innovative and inspiring owners you could ever want to find. He did things his way or the highway, and he was very successful doing so.

He was a great businessman and a great football mind, and his record proves as much.

Even though the Raiders have struggled in recent years, the franchise is rising back, and that is yet another homage to Davis and the way he runs an organization.

Sure he's made some mistakes, but the greatness he displayed during his time in the NFL far outweighed any of those mistakes.

It's truly a tragic passing.

Here is a look at some of the reaction to this news from across the league, the country and most importantly his home and love: Raider Nation.

Some notable figures react to the news:

Reaction from ESPN:

Here is a statement from Pro Football Hall of Fame president Steve Perry, according to the San Francisco Chronicle:

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“Pro football has lost a true giant of the game, a person whose name is synonymous with a ‘commitment to excellence.’ His contributions to the game and love of his team are well documented. Few have achieved the successes and respect he accomplished in his years as a coach, league commissioner and club owner. His Hall of Fame legacy will live on and always be a major chapter in the pro football story.”

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Davis was a great owner, but of course not all of his decisions were accepted or praised. The truth is, there were many factions of fans and public voices that didn't like Al Davis. That being said, even his detractors show him respect today, which is a true sign of the great person he was. Here is a respectful statement from the obvious ant-davis blog, Al Davis Sucks:

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Though obviously not a fan of Davis' decisions over the last decade, today is a day of mourning for the Raider Nation. I wish Al had lived to see one more Raider title, but hopefully he will see the rise of the Raiders from another place. Rest in peace Al...

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To me that's a huge sign of the kind of owner Davis was. Of course not everybody agreed with his decision-making, but the fact that even his detractors respect him points to a lot, in my opinion.

Finally, last but not least here is reaction from the people that meant the most to Davis,Raider Nation:

Rest in peace, Mr. Davis.