Al Davis Passes

[Dave James]

Dead at 82, although many felt he'd passed years ago, I'd say R.I.P., but I think there would be little chance of that. Wonder what happens to the Raiders now?

[PHILLYQ]

Dead at 82, although many felt he'd passed years ago, I'd say R.I.P., but I think there would be little chance of that. Wonder what happens to the Raiders now?

It seems so ironic that for years the Raiders were a lousy team and Davis was roundly criticized for it, and now when they're getting good he passes.He changed football. He was a Brooklyn native who attended Erasmus High School, which was about 7 blocks from my childhood abode.

[JSngry]

[Leeway]

An outsized personality, which could be fun at times in a grande guignol sort of way, but definitely not a nice guy. Not surprising that his team was and is favored by gang bangers.

[Quincy]

Growing up in the early '70s I gravitated towards the rebel image, especially the idea that players who were cast off for not following another team's rules could be given a second chance and succeed. It was like the Land Of Misfit Toys from Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer for me. And compared to the god fearing law & order repressed Landry-Staubach Cowboys (at least what was in the press at the time), it was the Raiders all the way for me baby! From what other franchise could a 12 year old boy learn what a sex doll is? There have been a lot of jokes about the man over the past 10 years and rightfully so, but boy did he change a sports world. R.I.P. Al Davis if you can.

[GA Russell]

Here's the AP obit.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/raiders-al-davis-dies-at-age-82/article2195580/

[Shawn]

I've always felt the attitude of the Raiders was a direct reflection of Al. That made me admire him, but I also knew I wouldn't want to hang out with the guy.

"Raider Rule #1 - THERE ARE NO RULES"

[Noj]

Not surprising that his team was and is favored by gang bangers.

I don't think that's any doing of Al's. The gangbangers identify with the logo, because they actually are pirates in the unglorified, un-Disney-fied sense of the term. Most of the knuckleheads don't know the first thing about football (or much of anything other than being complete assholes). They wear Raider gear because the other brainless gangbangers do, they like wearing black, and they're among the most unoriginal, personality-less people in the world.

Just win, baby. RIP, Mr. Davis.

[Leeway]

Not surprising that his team was and is favored by gang bangers.

I don't think that's any doing of Al's. The gangbangers identify with the logo, because they actually are pirates in the unglorified, un-Disney-fied sense of the term. Most of the knuckleheads don't know the first thing about football (or much of anything other than being complete assholes). They wear Raider gear because the other brainless gangbangers do, they like wearing black, and they're among the most unoriginal, personality-less people in the world.

Just win, baby. RIP, Mr. Davis.

As an old, long time Jets fan, I've been eyeing the Raiders since the AFL, 1960s. Al always invited and welcomed the Bad Boy image. He understood that thugs wore the uniform. It certainly did not bother him, and it seems that he and the team reveled in that anti-social, thug life persona. Yes, as you point out, many real football fans are good folks. But that is not the image associated with the team. I thought this was an interesting article:

Raiders and Gangs

BTW, remember the whole debacle of moving the club from Oakland to SoCal, then back again. Al at his best/worst.

[JSngry]

And compared to the god fearing law & order repressed Landry-Staubach Cowboys (at least what was in the press at the time), it was the Raiders all the way for me baby!

Same here, and I was ass-deep in the heart of God's Team Land. Thoise Raiders were about as succinct a "fuck this shit" as could be had.

Recommended reading as to how Al Davis earned at least the first part of all the slack he was given as the years went by:

[Brad]

As an old time AFL fan and also a long suffering Jets fan, the competition between the teams was great and I used to love Lamonica. What a slinger. I also used to love that he was a rebel against the corporate NFL.

However, in the last 10 or so years, I think he outlived (so to speak) his usefulness to the team. Just look at his firing of Tom Cable last year. Not necessary. Hope to see them come back.

Wonder what the ownership situation will be?

[Noj]

I'll still maintain that the fact that the Raiders were known for playing hard-nosed, hard-hitting football is the same as, say, the Steelers "steel curtain" team or the Vikings "purple people eaters." The dipshit gangbangers who wear Raider gear are simpletons who only relate to the colors silver and black for the colors and the logo. They wouldn't know Jack Tatum from Bill Cosby.

[Chuck Nessa]

G'bye Al. It was fun.

[GA Russell]

I would like to know the thoughts of Bud Adams and Ralph Wilson.

[Tim McG]

I'll still maintain that the fact that the Raiders were known for playing hard-nosed, hard-hitting football is the same as, say, the Steelers "steel curtain" team or the Vikings "purple people eaters." The dipshit gangbangers who wear Raider gear are simpletons who only relate to the colors silver and black for the colors and the logo. They wouldn't know Jack Tatum from Bill Cosby.

No doubt.

But Al "I'm all that" Davis promoted that shit. His bad boy image spread like wild fire to the gangs who associated with a jackass who told everybody to collectively go fuck themselves.

He did absolutely NOTHING to stop it. And the gang shit went viral.

I simply cannot find it in my heart to morn a complete jerk whose only goal in life was to be The Boss of a football team....no matter what the cost.

Edited October 9, 2011 by GoodSpeak

[RDK]

The Onion's obit...

http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/al-davis-dies-alone-surrounded-by-closest-friends,26294/

[Brad]

Wonder what the ownership situation will be?

Article in today's New York Times about the ownership/managment situation going forward, With Davis Gone, Who Will Lead Raiders?

Here's another one, about how he gained control of the Raiders, A Brash Style and Power Plays Allowed Davis To Wrest Control.

Edited October 11, 2011 by Brad

[paul secor]

I won't be mourning him - not that he would give a damn if I did or not.