Raiders owner Al Davis dies

I know this is a Carolina Panthers blog but just wanted to spread the word that it has been announced that Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis has died at the age of 82. I never have been a Raiders fan but from what I have seen over the past few years Al Davis was crazy as they come. But from what a lot of my older friends and family tell me, Davis used to be a major icon in professional football and his presence there was very important.

During his time in professional football he served as a head coach of the Raiders, the AFL Commissioner and finally serving as the Raiders owner latter in life.

Once he became the owner of the Raiders his team went on one of the best streaks in football history winning 13 division championships, one AFL Championship and three super bowls between 1967 and 1985. In 1992 he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Here is NBC Sports story on Davis.

We all know about his public battles with coaches such as Jon Gruden, Tom Cable and Lane Kiffin and his horrendous drafting of JaMarcus Russell and Darius Heyward-Bey. He loved speed and athletic ability. But we need to try to remember how important Davis was to the NFL and the legacy that he leaves behind.

Al Davis RIP July 4, 1929- October 8, 2011