RIP Al Davis

Arguably the NFL's most controversial and renegade owner and one-time AFL commissioner Al Davis has passed away. Say what you will, the NFL wouldn't be what it is today without him, for better or worse. RIP.

Just seen this. Absolutely terrible news. Love him or loathe him he made following football a lot of fun.

RIP Al.

Sad day for Oakland, probably in more ways than one.
Question now is: Will the succession ownership be able to sustain an NFL Team in the East Bay, or will the franchise be on the move?
Time for Oakland to hold its collective breath.

Wow, mad. RIP Al.

Good point kwini, will the Raiders now move to LA?

Only just seen this.
Yeah, Davis was ridiculed by many but you cannot ignore his passion for the sport and his dedication for the Raiders, for that at least he deserves respect.
RIP

Pr4, No idea what plans Davis put in place for his succession.
'Course, they've been there and done that as far as LA is concerned, but sure it would be appealing to the NFL. Alameda County Colliseum, or whatever it's called now, is a pretty dated facility altho' doubtless updated since I was last there.
I'm sure there'll be some tea leaves to read in the press these next few days, but remember California Governor Jerry Brown is an Oakland man, Mayor from 1999 - 2007, and still has a private residence there, and he'll likely have a say also.

Grizzly,
Not many were ridiculing Al Davis when he built the Oakland dynasty to football dominance all those years ago. Just think, Al Davis not only built the Raiders, but also John Madden!

for his succession, read on twitter that his son now becomes owner of the Raiders

I remember seeing an interview that Peter King had done with Denarius Moore recently. King asked him what his impressions of Al Davis were and Moore admitted that he hadn't met him yet. Peter King said that statement raised questions about how involved Davis still was in the day to day running of the team. Seemed so innocuous at the time but it has a lot more meaning now.

GB,
There were reports circulating that he'd been taken ill last April, so he might have been in hospital. As for Al Davis's son, who knows what his plans/motivation might be?
Time will tell.

RIP Al true great of the NFL will be sadly missed....That guy bled black & silver

If any one gets the chance please watch ESPN's documentary 'straight outta LA' which profiles the Raiders switch to LA.

RIP. You can question his choices of late, but he did have as profound impact on the NFL. One of, if not THE last flamboyant owners.

Sad news, hadn't heard anything to say he was in a bad way, legend of our wonderful sport.

When you read the list of his positions within the NFL - personnel assistant, scout, assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner, team owner, it just shows what a influence he has been on the NFL.

RIP Al Davis

Al was definitely a controversial figure, but his team did win 3 Super Bowls, so he must have been doing something right at some point. The NFL isn't quite as colorful today.

I wonder if his team's turnaround coincided with his illness? The Cardinals didn't turn the corner until Old Man Bidwill turned more of the day to day stuff over to his son, Michael.

Just win Baby!

Jeepers! I've just been told about this. What a shock!

Sad, sad news. Immense character and the NFL just got a little less entertaining now that Al has gone.

Like Kwinigolfer said..... "Just win Baby!"

kwinigolfer - agreed, though few UK fans (and especially non Raiders fans) will be aware of his contribution over 50 years.

I think when we all park up for the live games tonight and enjoy the structure that exists today, we should spare a thought for the work that Davis put in to secure the AFL merger 40 years ago.
The constitution was set and those early rules ensured the spirit of 'Any Given Sunday' existed

I've poked fun at him before, but you can't deny the influence he has had on the league, bringing the NFL and AFL together and being the first to give so many opportunities to minority coaches, players and "manager" types.

To be honest, even if it was much maligned by many, his drafting style was genuinely quite fun... you never knew which speedster Al would pick up and it was almost refreshing to see someone going against the grain with certain draft picks.

The league wouldn't be where it is now without him.
RIP Al Davis,