"Al Davis' passion for football and his influence on the game were extraordinary," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement released by the league. "He defined the Raiders and contributed to pro football at every level. 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.
"Let it be shouted both now and forever!!! In Las Vegas, the first football nations is the Raider Nation!!!
Like Oakland in the 1960’s and Los Angeles in the 1990’s and now Las Vegas in 2020, the Raiders are on the move and they have chosen their home. I think Al would be proud.
Al Davis's Nation
Allow me to paint the picture for you. In the fall of 1960 essentially the world was made aware that the Oakland Raiders had arrived. The AFL merged with the NFL and one man was seemingly at the center of it all , Mr. Al Davis was instantly a rebel with a cause.
Al Davis was AFL Commissioner at age 36 and was reluctant to do it. He was instrumental at helping players through collective bargaining agreements and assisted greatly in championing the merger of the two leagues after a six year war.
Although the youngest man to serve as the general manager and head coach of an organization, he vowed to turn around a losing Oakland football franchise and make them the finest organization in sports.
See Al Davis had a football mind first, and was even in the 1960’s dubbed a “football genius” by Sports Illustrated magazine. As a coach and manager he developed a style of play within the newly formed NFL.
He patented his personality into this style of play and instilled that into the players that he worked with to develop a culture that is committed to excellence and winning.
His team, the Raiders, were instantly vilified in the NFL but the fans began to know, the Raider mystique that held strong year after year was beginning to catch fire.
The Autumn Wind became their anthem as they were committed to winning and had consistent winning seasons until their 1980 Championship. (16 Straight Seasons)
“Just win baby” and “commitment to excellence” became Al's slogans and mantras, and it didn't take long for the country to know that a legend was born.
The Oakland raiders became the nation's team. Winning multiple championships through the decades their fans became the raider nation, the only organization to dedicate such a title to their fans.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this article coming up!!!
In the meantime how do you feel about the Raider Nation?
Who do you think has the greatest fans in sports?
Please QUESTION, COMMENT, LIKE, and SHARE!!!
