Al Davis Photos: 10 Most Iconic Images of Legendary Oakland Raider Owner

Al Davis did things his own way.

Universally known for his slogan, "Just Win, Baby!" and his rebellious mentality, Davis was an integral (and necessary) part of the NFL.

His historic career includes three Super Bowl championships, four AFC championships and a number of controversial decisions regarding his team.

A career such as his doesn't unfold without some great images either.

Whether it be his grin, flashy suits or wild hair, Davis always made an impression.

Here are 10 of the most iconic photos in the late owner's Hall of Fame career.

Coaching Mentality

Many people don't remember that Davis coached the Raiders before actually owning them.

Here, in 1963, he is seen talking to members of his then-AFL Raiders out on the practice field.

The team went on to win the AFL Championship in 1967 before joining the NFL.

Commissioner Davis

Davis didn't just coach, manage and own the Oakland Raiders, he was also selected as the AFL Commissioner in 1966.

Seen here with Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, Davis' time as a commissioner didn't last very long.

Several other AFL owners forged a merger between the AFL and the NFL and Davis just happened to be against the move.

Rather than holding the position until the merger, Davis resigned as commissioner in the summer of 1966.

John Madden, Al Davis and Winning

In 1969 Davis hired somebody else to coach his football team.

That man, John Madden, would go on to become one of the most legendary coaches of our time.

During their 10 years together, the Raiders won the AFC West title seven times.

In 1976 they finally broke through and won the Raiders' first Super Bowl.

"Just Win, Baby"

In 1981, Davis and the Raiders won the second of their three Super Bowls.

Oakland, led by quarterback Jim Plunkett, defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 in the Superdome on January 25th to claim Super Bowl XV.

The Raiders' second Super Bowl title also featured the first minority head coach, Tom Flores, to win the championship.

City of Angels

Davis was never one to shy away from controversy.

Only a year before Oakland's third and final Super Bowl win under Davis' rule, the flashy owner worked tirelessly to move his team to Los Angeles.

Finally, in 1982, the Raiders were Los Angeles' team.

Super Bowl XVIII

The Raiders' stay in Los Angeles didn't last as long as fans would have liked, but in 1983-1984 it was all worth it.

Led by running back Marcus Allen, Davis' Raiders won their third Super Bowl title in less than decade.

Questionable Decisions

In 1989, Davis controversially ended then-coach Mike Shanahan's run with the Raiders after only a year.

Shanahan, who would later go on to win two Super Bowls with the rival Denver Broncos, never fully forgave Davis.

He was replaced with Raiders Hall of Fame tackle Art Shell. Shell wasn't overly successful with the team either, but remained head coach until the Raiders left Los Angeles in 1994.

Silver and Black

Even as Davis got older he continued to push the envelope.

Whether it was out on the field, in the locker room or in the front office, Davis always carried that Raider swagger.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Leaving Los Angeles did more than just change the location of the Raiders.

Between 1995-present, Davis hired and fired nine different coaches.

Prior to the Mike Shanahan move, Davis had only worked with three other coaches.

The best of those runs came with then-coach Jon Gruden. He brought the Raiders back to their winning ways before defeating them as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002-2003.

Davis had traded the coach for four draft picks and $8 million in cash the year before.

At the time of Davis' passing on October 8, 2011, the Raiders were 2-2 and in the first year of the Hue Jackson coaching era.

Forever a Raider

Davis modeled the Oakland Raiders after his own personality.

Full of life, fire and a burning desire to win, the Raiders were one of the NFL's best teams for almost all of two decades.

He had his ups-and-downs, but the NFL would not be where it is today without his contributions and achievements.

Davis deserves to remembered as a legend, but above all else, a Raider.

"The Autumn Wind is a pirate 
Blustering in from sea 
With a rollicking song he sweeps along 
swaggering boisterously 

His face is weather beaten 
He wears a hooded sash 
With his silver hat about his head 
And a bristly black moustache 

He growls as he storms the country 
A villain big and bold 
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake 
As he robs them of their gold 

The Autumn wind is a Raider 
Pillaging just for fun 
He'll knock you 'round and upside down 
And laugh when he's conquered and won" - Steve Sabol, The Autumn Wind