Al Davis defines the ultimate standard for professional football leadership, building the Oakland Raiders into a dominant dynasty through an unyielding commitment to excellence.
AL DAVIS
Football Bio
July 4, 1929 – Brockton, Massachusetts – Al Davis, Pro Football Hall of Fame legendary owner of the Oakland and LA Raiders.
His famous moniker was
“Just win baby.”
The man was involved in Pro football for 49 years, not only as a franchise owner but also as a personnel director, scout, coach, general manager, and even as the AFL’s Commissioner for a time.
The only person in history to perform all of those duties!
In fact, Davis was instrumental in the quick merger of the two Leagues in the late 1960s, putting the NFL on an aggressive upward trajectory.
The Al Davis-led Raiders had the best record of all professional teams from 1963 to 1991.
Davis helped the Raiders win Super Bowls XI, XV, and XVIII … AFL Coach of the Year in 1963.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Al Davis as a contributor in 1992.
Al Davis leaves an unmatched legacy in professional football history. He shattered barriers by hiring minority coaches and female executives while leading the Raiders to three Super Bowl championships. His unparalleled journey from a young assistant to the ultimate maverick owner guarantees his eternal enshrinement in Canton.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted as a contributor in 1992.
- 3× Super Bowl Champion: Won Super Bowls XI, XV, and XVIII with the Raiders.
- AFL Coach of the Year: Earned the honor in 1963 after leading Oakland to a 10-4 record.
- AFL Commissioner: Served as the driving force of the American Football League in 1966, playing a vital role in the AFL-NFL merger.
- Trailblazing Executive: First modern NFL owner to hire a Black head coach (Art Shell), a Latino head coach (Tom Flores), and a female chief executive (Amy Trask).
- Unique Career Path: The only person in football history to serve as a personnel assistant, scout, assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner, and team owner.
- Record Presenter: Selected a record nine times to present inductees at the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony.