Legendary Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, one of the most iconic figures in the history of the NFL, has died at the age of 82.
Hall of Fame owner of the Raiders passes away
Legendary Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, one of the most iconic figures in the history of the NFL, has died at the age of 82.
The Raiders announced on Saturday that the Hall of Famer had passed away but did not give any further details of his death.
The franchise said that it would make a statement later in the day but tributes from the rest of the American football community came in immediately.
"Al Davis's passion for football and his influence on the game were extraordinary. He defined the Raiders and contributed to pro football at every level," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.
"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 won three Super Bowls during a 48-year tenure with the Raiders, a team he initially joined as head coach at the end of the 1962 season.
Success
After a stint as commissioner of the American Football League, Davis returned to the Raiders as a part-owner and head of football operations.
He eventually became a majority owner of the franchise and also served as general manager, a position he held until his death.
The most successful period under his control came in the mid-1970s to mid-80s, when he helped lead the Raiders to three NFL titles.
Often viewed as a rebellious figure, he went to court in the 80s for the right to move the Raiders to Los Angeles but brought the team back to Oakland in 1995.
Davis hired Tom Flores as the first Latino head coach in the NFL and also made Art Shell the first black head coach in the modern era as well as making Amy Trask the first woman chief executive in professional football.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
