Read the book. Plus read Amy Trasks book. It's pretty simple the man was dominant in his day but didn't change with The Times.. The harder things got the more he relied upon himself instead of others. He's still my favorite owner in football ever!!!
I really appreciate the book for how authentic the writer is. As a die hard Raider fan, it is a tough read. All the self inflicted errors over and over. When Ron Wolf left the organization, that was really a huge blow. The silly jealousness of Marcus Allen sparked the beginning of the end of the Raiders winning ways. Hard to convince Raider fans you want to win and you keep your best player on the bench. Al Davis is one of the All Time Greats and certainly belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of NFL executives. He was a true legend. Constructed a dominant organization for 2 and a half decades. However, outside of 4 seasons, the last 3 decades have been a true nightmare. Lets Go Raiders! I believe in you guys!!
As a die hard Raider fan, I could see Al was the biggest problem the Raiders had for the last 20 years. I did not know it was quite this bad though. It’s so sad how he ran the team into irrelevancy.
Can you really believe that this guy says obviously is character is nil and void. Couldn't say why he was Alive and admits it to arms the biased in a coward
Ace Spade let’s pretend this guy made all this up...go back in time! Marcus Allen wins Super Bowl MVP then is benched for 6 years, is that Al Davis trying to win??? Why not trade Allen and get a first round pick in return if you don’t like him?? Why act like a little kid and try to hold a guy back, just trade him and get value when it’s sky high. Also, Al Davis record his last twenty years running team was shit, his drafts were shit, he wanted Jamarcus Russell lol, then when he drafted him was too cheap to pay him for months. Is that trying to win??
3 superbowls under Al and there are still 12 teams without a single one. Al may have lost it but there’s no denying that he “had” something in the way he did things.
5 Super Bowls - one of which came about 10 years before he died. There is no other GM in the NFL who went to 5 Super Bowls in 4 different decades. Amazing how many "fans" have bought into the NFL bullshit about Al Davis.
@@hotrodriguez549 No bullshit that anyone who can't understand who Al Davis was, what he did for the team, for the league and for pro sports in general should really keep their pie holes shut because all it says is you don't know anything at all about the NFL and certainly not the Raiders. The Raiders have never been the "laughing stock of the league" to anyone except petty haters like you, Alex. If you think you're a Raiders' fan and you know the team? Got news for you, bro - you're not and you don't. So why don't you just drop YOUR bullshit and go root for the Chargers for awhile? See how it feels to REALLY be the laughing stock of the league.
Al Davis managed the Raiders in one way from 1966 to approximately 1985 (20 seasons) and it worked - the team was dominant almost every season and won 4 AFC titles and 3 Lombardis. He stayed in that method as the league passed him by. From 1986-2011 (25+ seasons), his teams were largely unsuccessful as reflected in all of the losing and just 1 AFC title. He did not maintain the ability to adapt like others have including Bill Belichick. Belichick well into his later 60s (66 as of April 2018) is managing the Patriots like a master and he is the head coach as well. Davis by his mid-50s was no longer pushing out serious Super Bowl contenders. And he wasn't even the head coach.
Good lord. You guys should be paying me for this education. The Raiders went to the AFC title game in 1991 and the Super Bowl in 2003. That is a "largely" MORE successful period than MOST NFL TEAMS HAVE EVER HAD IN THEIR ENTIRE EXISTENCE! And to pretend like BILL BELICHICK - a guy who can't win without cheating - has something on AL DAVIS... tells us what a confused and ignorant fan you are. Belicheater is a COACH. A coach who couldn't win until he started CHEATING. Al was an assistant coach, head coach (coach of the year), GM, president, owner and league commissioner. Got it? One guy did EVERYTHING - AL... the other ASSHOLE did nothing except cheat and ruin the league.
@@rogerthat9306 were you born this stupid or did it come on later in life? If you think every team doesn’t cheat then you’re too stupid to live. You should join Al Davis, no one would miss you
The Raiders Daily how do you know? Were you in the room? This guy has many people that has backed him up that was actually in the room. Go back and watch the Jamarcus Russell press conference when he fired Lane Kiffen and tell me Al Davis hadn’t lost his mind during his last 10-15 years
@@charlieb308 They went to the Super Bowl after trading Gruden. And if you think the Raiders are getting anywhere with Gruden this time around - think again.
Al passed on Calvin Johnson, Michael Crabtree, Joe Thomas, Aaron Rodgers, didn’t want Woodson, Wes Welker, Dan Marino, ran off every successful coach, never met a fast WR with bad hands he didn’t like. Hired Lane, a snake. Just a litany of follies that us fans had to swallow, and as one last mistake to torture the fandom, he left the team to Mark.
We went from the most wins 70's, 80's. To the worst franchise 2003- now. Somebody had to say what happened. Davis would never tell us our Real History. Go Raiders
I grew to despise Al Davis when he took a dump on the fans in Oakland. And the way he treated Marcus Allen was terrible. Marcus should have been a Raider for life. And now the Raiders are dumping again on the fans in Oakland. This is one of the reasons I have turned my back on the NFL. The other one is the concussion issue that the league refuses to address. I haven’t watched a game in two years. I now get my football fix by watching the two teams featured on Last Chance U, the East Mississippi Community College Lions and the Independence Community College Pirates.
How’s that working out for ya???shouldve stayed loyal....where they move to has nothing to do with you or none of your business wondering why?that logo is the reason I chose this team...born in Los Angeles and now there in Las Vegas and playing great...the team needed a new home...enjoy watching that dumb show?
@@user-rn4tt9gw2p The Davis family dumped on the great fans of Oakland TWICE. I am thrilled to know that Al is now rotting and stinking in the earth. As for how I once felt about the team, I was a huge fan of the old Silver and Black. I would match my knowledge about the Raiders from the mid sixties to the team just after they won Super Bowl XVIII vs the Redskins in January of 1984 with anyone. Cliff Branch, Jim Plunkett and Tom Flores should all be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as should some others. Next to Dallas' first Super Bowl win in no. VI, the Raiders win in no. XI is my favorite SB memory. But their greatest wins ever in my opinion were the 1974 AFC Divisional playoff game win over the two-time defending champion Miami Dolphins by a 28 to 26 score. That was the "Sea of Hands " game and is the greatest football game I have ever seen. Next was the 1976 AFC Championship game win over the two-time defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 24 to 7. I used to worship the Raiders. Now...they horn down on the Big One with unbridled eagerness.
When Al Davis made the trade for Jason Campbell that was one of the best moves he ever made Jason brought them their first winning season on over a decade
Owners that are too involved in their own teams have a hard time with success. While Al was great in his heyday, by the time his senility took over, he was just making terrible decisions, especially in the draft. We are seeing a similar problem in Dallas with Jerry Jones. Owners make decisions regarding the stadium and the city. GMs make decisions regarding the roster. Coaches make decisions regarding the game. Clear delineation of roles is absolutely critical to the success of a team. When lines are blurred, guys are worried about being second-guessed and there is also less accountability.
growing up in the 1960's and 70's in the east bay i was a diehard raider/a's fan. as much as i wanted to i never could get back as a raider fan when they came back to oakland. al davis wouldn't sign a new lease with the coliseum on purpose because the rams moved to anaheim and al wanted the la market. al built the raiders and then burned them down. charlie finley did the same with a's. some people just can't stand success without being the whole show.
I love how all these millennials speak of Al Davis as a hero. He was an asshole and even in death he still an asshole. -This comes from my lifelong raider fan.
Al Davis was hell bent on showing Marcus Allen that he could get a better back neglecting other needs of the team we passed on Dan Marino the fall was beginning
The seed of decline was planted in 1980 when he drafted QB Marc Wilson. Then, as he insisted Wilson was the answer, he bypassed three quality QBs for three straight years (1983-85). Quality QBs he wouldn't have to break up the team to get. He failed to draft Dan Marino in 1983. He failed to sign Warren Moon coming out of Canada in 1984. And he failed to sign Bobby Hebert as the USFL folded in 1985. Each time Davis response was, "We're committed to Marc Wilson." 🙄🙄🙄🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
As much as I like the Oakland Raiders, and as much respect as I have for Al Davis, it sounds to me like Mr. Davis wanted to be the star, and not the star maker. He also held insane grudges. Once he got something into his mind, you wasn't going to change his mind.
The Raiders Daily the truth is Al sucked at inning the team for twenty years, he benched the Super Bowl MVP for 6 years when he could have traded him for first round pick to help win...don’t tell me Al was a great owner from 1985-his death.
True or not I can't respect how's he's talking bad about a dead man. Real easy to act like you know all the right picks when people don't really have your own player selection track record.
Dontdoittoyoself books are written about everyone it’s a free country, everyone knew Al lost his mind his last 20 years alive...why bench Marcus Allen the Super Bowl MVP??? Isn’t your motto just win baby? Then why bench a guy that helps you win? Why not trade Allen while he has outstanding value? Al Sucked at drafted last 20 years his Gruden trade all draft picks were busts two first round picks in two seconds all busts.
Cliff caught punts in College , turn his back and ran backwards 10 yds ( gain space )turn around and pick a direction take off . Flores throw him balls from 10feet to build his hands catching skills .
Passing on Aaron Rogers? I heard that in 1983 he wanted Dan Marino, but he was busy going to court fighting the NFL regarding his relocation to L.A. in 1982 that the day of the draft in 1983 he couldn't attend the draft nor he was able to be contacted by his scouts and Dan Marino ended up being picked by the Miami Dolphins. Trading Jon Gruden and Charles Woodson back in 2002 was one of his worst decisions as the owner of the Raiders. I honestly believe had he kept Jon Gruden and Charles Woodson the Raiders would have won a couple of Super Bowls. I hope Jon Gruden can bring some Super Bowl trophies in his second chapter with the Raiders.
@@josegalindo5982 I hope, but I was shocked when I saw the Raiders struggling yesterday to the very end of the game to beat the the most disgraced team in the NFL, the New York Jets. I thought they were going to score at will against the Jets and they almost become the Jets' first victim. They lost against a dysfunctional team like the Atlanta Falcons and I was counting on the Raiders to win that game without any problems and they were humiliated by a losing team and they didn't even score a touchdown. I think that Jon Gruden is going to get a QB that is more consistent than Derek Carr. They could have beaten the Chiefs for a second time, but again Derek Carr's inconsistency cost them the game and the defense was unrecognizable against the Chiefs in their last meeting. The Raiders need more consistency to achieve the ultimate goal which is a Super Bowl trophy. I hope they make the playoffs this year and that will mean progress. I am not expecting them to go to the Super Bowl next February.
First off, it's easy to Monday morning QB the draft. Yeah - why didn't we pick Tom Brady? Because nobody thought he would be a decent QB - EVERYBODY passed on him... FIVE TIMES. So far as Marino - that is not how it happened. We had Plunkett who just won a Super Bowl and we had Marc Wilson primed and ready to be the starter after Plunkett. Al (and everybody else) thought were set at QB - plus Marino was a question mark - that's why he was drafted AFTER so many other QBs had already been picked... guys like Todd Blackledge and Tony Eason. He wasn't a guaranteed superstar at that point. So far as Gruden? That career .500 coach we're stuck with again? He had a Super Bowl team for two years and couldn't get the Raiders over the hump with his conservative play calling that ALWAYS KEEPS THE OTHER TEAM IN THE GAME. You know - JUST LIKE NOW. How long did it take Bill Callahan to get us over the hump? One season. Why? Because he let the offense attack. Gruden sucks - he won the Super Bowl with Tony Dungy's team (he said so himself) and he had the Raiders' playbook. Callahan didn't mix anything up in the Super Bowl. Gruden sucks - Al made the right choice to dump him for picks because he wasn't taking the team to the SB and Gruden had already said he was leaving anyway. So either lose Gruden and get nothing - or get two 1s and two 2s. Which option would you take? Charles Woodson? He was a cap hit - we didn't trade him. We let him go because he was becoming a malcontent and it was going to cost us too much to keep him. Nobody - not even the Packers - thought he would turn his career and attitude around the way he did in Green Bay. He would not have led us to a Super Bowl anyway - we didn't have a QB in those years.
@@rogerthat9306 Regarding the story about Dan Marino, you can check it out on the documentary NFL Class of '83. Callahan sold us out in that Super Bowl against the Buccaneers. He changed the playbook at the last minute and implemented the same playbook that Jon Gruden taught him. That came from Jerry Rice's mouth in a documentary and you can find it here on TH-cam. After the that Super Bowl defeat, he was seen at a bar with Jon Gruden on the same day. Callahan was more loyal to Jon Gruden than to the Raiders. If they don't fix their defense, we might see the Raiders replicating the same record from the last season or worst.
@@EnjoyLifeNow24 Regarding the Jerry Rice thing - there are a couple players that say Callahan sold out the team and plenty who take the opposite view. What's true? We'll probably never know - but I have to ask the question, WHY would Callahan do that? Davis made him the head coach of the team - the ONLY time he's been an NFL head coach. Why would you PURPOSELY lose the most important game of your life - the game you've worked your entire life to get to - for a coach who left you behind? If they were such great "friends" - why didn't Gruden take him to Tampa? And if Callahan hated Al THAT much - why not quit and move on? It just doesn't make sense on any level. So far as the '83 documentary, did you watch the whole thing? Because they cover both sides of the story. One coach (I forget who) wanted Marino. The rest of the coaches and Al wanted Mosebar (who was also a good pick, btw) for the reasons I stated. Go back and watch it again - it's all in there. We were set at QB at that time. And I stand by the Gruden stuff - we would have never won a Super Bowl with him as the head coach back then, and I sincerely doubt we will now. He's too conservative on offense - always has been. If you remember, even though Tampa was blowing the Raiders out in the SB - we almost got back in that game because he took his foot off the gas. Gruden is NOT a Raider.
I can't believe that Al Davis passed up on Brett Favre. Imagine if we would have had Calvin Johnson how much of a nightmare he would have been for our division rivals. What was Al Davis thinking? Him and Jerry Jones are two peas in the same pod smh
Al Davis wasn't perfect, no man is, I can see why he was stubborn to do things his way..because it worked for so long. People can talk about how the Raiders were irrelevant for most of the 90s into the 2000s but that's just because Al was old at that point. He took the poorest franchise in the league as head coach and then owner and turned into a 3x super Bowl Champion, twice in Oakland and once in LA. I don't think there are many owners who can say they did that..if any. He made a guy like John Madden a household name to this day with kids playing the latest version of "Madden" every year. Most of the hate Al Davis gets is from pissy fanboys of other teams that were either irrelevant back in the day or are still irrelevant to this day. Al Davis shaped the way the game is played, whether it was the bump and press defensive scheme or throwing a bomb on 1st down. The man was a football visionary whether people like it or not.
The problem with Al Davis is that he didn't change with the times. His philosophy with the vertical deep passing game and the hard nosed offense worked in the '60s, '70s and the first part of the '80s, but then the game started to change with Bill Walsh's West Coast offense, plus with free agency becoming more rampant in not only the NFL but the NBA and MLB as well. You now have players going to the highest bidder. But then, of course Davis let his pride and ego get into the way of trying to win football games with the talent that he had. The bitter feuds he had with players such as Marcus Allen, plus his fighting the NFL in the courts didn't help matters either. He just didn't know when to get out of the way and let others run the show in the best interest of the team.
@@martinkurtz9269 Good lord - THE RAIDERS WENT TO THE SUPER BOWL IN 2003! RIch Gannon didn't even play in the 60s, 70s and 80s! It's amazing how kids just hear something on ESPN and assume it's true.
@@rogerthat9306 If you knew your history, you would know that Al took a step back after he hired Gruden. Al finally saw that maybe he wasn't making the right decisions and let others take some of the responsibilities. The team was being run differently and it had success. Al wanted the credit again and he decided he was going to run it all again. So he ran Gruden out of town and wanted to bring back old time Raider ball with Kerry Collins heaving deep passes again. Al dominated the franchise again and no one would sign to be HC because they knew Al would be the real HC. The drafts were all poor, the coaching hires were poor. The free agent signings were poor. Al was completely gone and there was nothing anyone could do about it. So we fans had to wait it out and wait until he was gone (RIP). Face it, Al was great in the 60's 70's and half the 80's....after that, it was a shit show until Al took a step back when Gruden was hired. Then Al took full control again and it became a shit show again.
@@blite13 Actually, no - that is not what happened. Gruden had already blown two chances at Lombardi's by underperforming in the playoffs with the Super Bowl team Al built for him. Then he wanted personnel control and Al had seen enough to know Gruden was not a personnel guy. Gruden had already decided to leave so Al TRADED him to Tampa for two 1s and two 2s (as opposed to "running him out of town") - iow, Al made lemonade out of lemons. Meanwhile Gruden got his personnel control in Tampa and after Dungy's players left he proceeded to build one sub-.500 team after another - their record being very similar to the Raiders in those days (so where are your complaints about Gruden being "completely gone"?) Your other crap about Al being the "real HC" are disputed by guys like John Madden and Tom Flores so you might want to ratchet back a little on the Raider expert routine. Beyond that, the Raiders were also one game away from the Super Bowl in '91 under Art Shell - which destroys your "60s, 70s, half the 80s" nonsense. The year Al died we also would have most likely made the playoffs under Hue Jackson if that dumbass could count to 14. Al's latter days were tough because all those years of dominating and remaking the league in his image pissed off a lot of people and when the team went south (as happens with all teams) it became a pile-on situation to get revenge. Madden says Al's football insight never left him - his opinion FAR overrides yours or anyone else's. You've bought into the same ESPN hater bullshit that noob Raider fans buy because they don't understand the history of the team (yeah that's you) or what happened in the 60s, 70s and 80s that irrevocably changed the league in a way that Rozelle, Tagliabue and the guy currently destroying the NFL could never swallow. It's been payback since the mid-60s and Al forcing the merger. But go ahead - keep believing the Raiders are really all about Gruden. Just keep in mind Gruden never took us to the Super Bowl, but BILL FUCKING CALLAHAN did with the SAME TEAM - except they were OLDER.
Marinovich was the early version of Manzel. Both were true head cass that were not mature enough to handle the pressures of the NFL. J'Marcus was another head case who would never succeed in the NFL. Lane Kiffin only cares about Lane Kiffin. He'll never win a national championship. He's an above average coach at best.
Favre had red flags like Marinovich had. Even worse, Favre didn't know what a nickel or dime defense was until his 2nd year in the NFL. Calvin Johnson was a once in a generational talent, but the same could be said for Jamarcus Russell who had a great college career and one of the strongest arms ever. Johnson was more of the surefire pick, but Russell played QB and a great QB completely revitalizes any organization. I'm not a Raiders fan, but I think those are 2 poor instances of claiming Al 'lost it.' There are far better examples of that elsewhere.
Richie Hunt LOLOLOL justifying Marinovich over Favre is a spin for the ages. Listen to Marinovich talk for five seconds and you know he’s an imbecile. Horrible pick.
I’m sure every team in the NFL could “woulda coulda shoulda” in the draft and say they could’ve had a hall of fame roster after all is said and done. Fact is it’s a coin flip in every round and every player gets scouted and after the draft is over and their careers are done someone comes out and says, you know we scouted that guy and liked him..it’s bull
Fans get so caught up in their own drafts they don't realize MOST teams do not draft well. Teams with high picks usually do well and teams get lucky. The whiners point to those ANOMALIES and act like the Raiders should be drafting HoF guys every year. That's just not how it happens in the NFL. Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th round. HoFer and one of the greatest DBs ever - Willie Brown... WASN'T DRAFTED - and they had 20 ROUNDS back then.
Bro al davis overpaid contracts, always wanted to coach, be gm despite his age when we had head coaches, he was the downfall of the raiders from 2003 til his death Sadly mark davis is the only one with some sense getting gms and jon gruden.
@@jackjax532 not any more. Al ran the franchise into the ground and it's taken years to get it back. Al is not here any more, the team is moving to Vegas, time to move on?
@@jackjax532 it's not about Al any more. His history is still there and it shows he ran the org into the ground. It has taken years to recover. If you are going to tell Al's story, the time period from the defeat in the SB to Tampa, to the end of his life, was a disaster. You could even take it back to moving the team to L.A. The team went hollywood and it was never the same. Since then, we fans have had to endure some very hard times and Al was the cause.
After a while Al just lost sight of everything seems like he continued to take control of everything with the team which he didn't have to do so anymore
Dave Hobbs yes true! Everyone could see Al had lost it, his drafts were terrible and he wasn’t trying to win. Benches Allen a Super Bowl MVP when he could have traded him for a first round pick I bet. What good is super bowl MVP on the bench?
Lane Kiffin - the one coach in the Raiders history who had the players GIVING UP - actually QUITTING in the middle of games. The guy who's been bounced out of every fucking job he's had in the pros AND college. You REALLY need to quit talking now. Seriously. I'm telling you this as a friend.
This guy wants to make a name smearing a legend. Same kind of a schmuck wrote a similar book about Walter Payton. AL was by no means perfect. He was a cantankerous old mule. But during his career he did more for the NFL than any other individual person. First Minority Coach, First Minority Head Coach (Tom Flores), First Black Head Coach (Art Shell), he saved careers of guys like Matuszak, Alzado, Hendricks and Plunkett. The guy did it his way to the end. But his way was The Way in the NFL for many years. Team of the Decades, Kings of Monday Night Football, The Most Winningest Sports Franchise of the 70’s and 80’s. Rest In Peace AL. Raider Nation still loves you.
MichaelH416 tell it on the mountain! Al was the Boss of all bosses! People forget this country was once built by strong so strong men of yesterday! Al was molded from this American culture that created many great men of this time! It’s never easy being the Big Boss Man! Rip Al Davis! Go Las Vegas Raiders!!!!
R T/X No offense, it sounds like your mad about what he didn’t do for you, rather than what he did do for the league. Yes he made unpopular decisions, like moving the team, but in the end he did what he did to protect his property (yes the team was HIS, NOT OURS) and expand the game.
@@MichaelH416 admit it he was a nutjob by the end of his life, yes he did great things, but by end of his life he interfered way too much and was probably senile.
I am an Al Davis fan as well, but ppl have a right to write and sell books......and since this author was an insider to the Raiders, one can expect a very TRUTHFUL book.
And what Super Bowl did Bo lead the Raiders to??? Or for that matter, Eric Dickerson? There's no disputing what Marcus meant to his teammates and the organization when the team played him. It seems that Citizen Al could not do anything to change that. Al's ego was just too big to allow others to get due credit for what they did for the organization.
@@u2bwatcher1 Marcus was a great player - no doubt. But this narrative that has come to be accepted as fact that the problem was Al and only Al is absolute bullshit. Marcus wanted to the ONE star on a team that (at the time) was FULL of stars. He wanted the ball all the time when the Raiders were always a balanced attack - no one player (outside of the QB) was the guy who carried the team. Marcus wanted the same kind of attention he got at USC and Al told him he was going to be an important cog in a winning machine - but NOT the focal point. Marcus' ego couldn't live with that.
@@rogerthat9306 I wrote this a couple yrs ago but I sense your passion in defending Al so I guess I touched a nerve. I've been a Raider fan since the 1972 season and have seen the greatness of the Raiders which, without Al, there would be no Raiders at all. But I've also seen the revolving door of coaches from the late 80s thru 2000s who had to tiptoe around Al's personality too. But I think if you are honest about it, the greatest Raider also had the greatest ego. And that person was not Marcus...you can fill in whatever other Raider player or head coach you want.
@@u2bwatcher1 Well as a Raider fan since the mid-60s, I'm always glad to welcome aboard the youngsters and educate them on the history of the team. If you need help with any of the other false rumors about the Raiders - don't be afraid to ask. Always glad to help.
I can never forget Darryl Stingley and what the Raiders (Jack Tatum) did to him. Good for the Patriots organization!!! Go New England!! Let's get another two Super Bowl victories before Tom retires.
This was a bullshit interview. How many teams passed on Rodgers? How many teams have zero championships? Al Davis has done so many great things for football, diversity, etc... I can't stand focusing on negativity.
Raiders are such a circus can't wait for the Davis family to sell the team and someone make it a winner its sad to see the Raiders be a pushover of the NFL
I enjoy how irrelevant the Raiders are now. One winning season in 16 years. Only Cleveland matches that futility. It's like Cleveland still living off the glory years of the 1950s. Silver and Black has turned to zinc, and the Raider shield has become a coaster for the rest of the NFL's drinks.
I enjoy how even in the rare times the Raiders aren't winning - we're still under the skin of every fan of every team out there. Because in the end? Every fan of every other team in every other league knows their team, their fan base and their entire sports experience couldn't carry the Nation's jockstrap.
![AL DAVIS TRIBUTE [2011]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/td4Zzmv6-bk/mqdefault.jpg)
![AL DAVIS TRIBUTE [2011]](/img/tr.png)
Read the book. Plus read Amy Trasks book. It's pretty simple the man was dominant in his day but didn't change with The Times.. The harder things got the more he relied upon himself instead of others. He's still my favorite owner in football ever!!!
I really appreciate the book for how authentic the writer is. As a die hard Raider fan, it is a tough read. All the self inflicted errors over and over. When Ron Wolf left the organization, that was really a huge blow. The silly jealousness of Marcus Allen sparked the beginning of the end of the Raiders winning ways. Hard to convince Raider fans you want to win and you keep your best player on the bench. Al Davis is one of the All Time Greats and certainly belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of NFL executives. He was a true legend. Constructed a dominant organization for 2 and a half decades. However, outside of 4 seasons, the last 3 decades have been a true nightmare. Lets Go Raiders! I believe in you guys!!
He fought right up to his very last day ... true AL
As a die hard Raider fan, I could see Al was the biggest problem the Raiders had for the last 20 years. I did not know it was quite this bad though. It’s so sad how he ran the team into irrelevancy.
Can you really believe that this guy says obviously is character is nil and void. Couldn't say why he was Alive and admits it to arms the biased in a coward
Ace Spade let’s pretend this guy made all this up...go back in time! Marcus Allen wins Super Bowl MVP then is benched for 6 years, is that Al Davis trying to win??? Why not trade Allen and get a first round pick in return if you don’t like him?? Why act like a little kid and try to hold a guy back, just trade him and get value when it’s sky high. Also, Al Davis record his last twenty years running team was shit, his drafts were shit, he wanted Jamarcus Russell lol, then when he drafted him was too cheap to pay him for months. Is that trying to win??
Too much focus on speed within 40 yards.
The move to LA took Al Davis away from football mojo and it was gone gone gone!
Good lord man - get professional help... you need it.
Al Davis turned the Raiders into a team that all opponents just marked as an easy win.
3 superbowls under Al and there are still 12 teams without a single one. Al may have lost it but there’s no denying that he “had” something in the way he did things.
5 Super Bowls - one of which came about 10 years before he died. There is no other GM in the NFL who went to 5 Super Bowls in 4 different decades. Amazing how many "fans" have bought into the NFL bullshit about Al Davis.
@@rogerthat9306 no bullshit about the fact he turned his team into the laughing stock of the league.
@@hotrodriguez549 No bullshit that anyone who can't understand who Al Davis was, what he did for the team, for the league and for pro sports in general should really keep their pie holes shut because all it says is you don't know anything at all about the NFL and certainly not the Raiders. The Raiders have never been the "laughing stock of the league" to anyone except petty haters like you, Alex. If you think you're a Raiders' fan and you know the team? Got news for you, bro - you're not and you don't. So why don't you just drop YOUR bullshit and go root for the Chargers for awhile? See how it feels to REALLY be the laughing stock of the league.
Al Davis managed the Raiders in one way from 1966 to approximately 1985 (20 seasons) and it worked - the team was dominant almost every season and won 4 AFC titles and 3 Lombardis. He stayed in that method as the league passed him by. From 1986-2011 (25+ seasons), his teams were largely unsuccessful as reflected in all of the losing and just 1 AFC title. He did not maintain the ability to adapt like others have including Bill Belichick. Belichick well into his later 60s (66 as of April 2018) is managing the Patriots like a master and he is the head coach as well. Davis by his mid-50s was no longer pushing out serious Super Bowl contenders. And he wasn't even the head coach.
And how many AFC championship games did they reach??? Quite a few
Good lord. You guys should be paying me for this education. The Raiders went to the AFC title game in 1991 and the Super Bowl in 2003. That is a "largely" MORE successful period than MOST NFL TEAMS HAVE EVER HAD IN THEIR ENTIRE EXISTENCE! And to pretend like BILL BELICHICK - a guy who can't win without cheating - has something on AL DAVIS... tells us what a confused and ignorant fan you are. Belicheater is a COACH. A coach who couldn't win until he started CHEATING. Al was an assistant coach, head coach (coach of the year), GM, president, owner and league commissioner. Got it? One guy did EVERYTHING - AL... the other ASSHOLE did nothing except cheat and ruin the league.
@@rogerthat9306 were you born this stupid or did it come on later in life? If you think every team doesn’t cheat then you’re too stupid to live. You should join Al Davis, no one would miss you
@@TL2354 Chalk up another triggered Pets fan.
I have read his book several times very very good.
Great interview
Page 169 second paragraph "Charles Woodson drafted 4th selection in the 2008 NFL Draft" He was drafted in 1998, hard to believe someone missed this.
dudes a liar... Al Davis wanted Woodson badly
The Raiders Daily how do you know? Were you in the room? This guy has many people that has backed him up that was actually in the room. Go back and watch the Jamarcus Russell press conference when he fired Lane Kiffen and tell me Al Davis hadn’t lost his mind during his last 10-15 years
The Raiders Daily how good were Raiders in 90s? How good were Raiders after Al traded Gruden? Sucked total ass, who was in charge Al Davis.
@@charlieb308 They went to the Super Bowl after trading Gruden. And if you think the Raiders are getting anywhere with Gruden this time around - think again.
@@rogerthat9306 Gruden built the entire team and offense, he brought in Gannon. Just like Tampa already had a great defense before Gruden got there.
He was human, he made mistakes
Al passed on Calvin Johnson, Michael Crabtree, Joe Thomas, Aaron Rodgers, didn’t want Woodson, Wes Welker, Dan Marino, ran off every successful coach, never met a fast WR with bad hands he didn’t like. Hired Lane, a snake. Just a litany of follies that us fans had to swallow, and as one last mistake to torture the fandom, he left the team to Mark.
Moving out of Oakland was Als dumbest move! Should’ve never left! He got arrogant and thought LA would be the same! It didn’t happen
Buying this now!!
AL WAS AL. the oakland raiders were his team, and he firmly believed that this fact was written in blood.
We went from the most wins 70's, 80's. To the worst franchise 2003- now. Somebody had to say what happened. Davis would never tell us our Real History. Go Raiders
Couple words “ love Al Davis “
Damn, could've had Aaron Rodgers throwing to Calvin Johnston 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
😖😖
I grew to despise Al Davis when he took a dump on the fans in Oakland. And the way he treated Marcus Allen was terrible. Marcus should have been a Raider for life.
And now the Raiders are dumping again on the fans in Oakland. This is one of the reasons I have turned my back on the NFL. The other one is the concussion issue that the league refuses to address. I haven’t watched a game in two years.
I now get my football fix by watching the two teams featured on Last Chance U, the East Mississippi Community College Lions and the Independence Community College Pirates.
How’s that working out for ya???shouldve stayed loyal....where they move to has nothing to do with you or none of your business wondering why?that logo is the reason I chose this team...born in Los Angeles and now there in Las Vegas and playing great...the team needed a new home...enjoy watching that dumb show?
@@user-rn4tt9gw2p The Davis family dumped on the great fans of Oakland TWICE. I am thrilled to know that Al is now rotting and stinking in the earth.
As for how I once felt about the team, I was a huge fan of the old Silver and Black. I would match my knowledge about the Raiders from the mid sixties to the team just after they won Super Bowl XVIII vs the Redskins in January of 1984 with anyone.
Cliff Branch, Jim Plunkett and Tom Flores should all be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as should some others.
Next to Dallas' first Super Bowl win in no. VI, the Raiders win in no. XI is my favorite SB memory.
But their greatest wins ever in my opinion were the 1974 AFC Divisional playoff game win over the two-time defending champion Miami Dolphins by a 28 to 26 score. That was the "Sea of Hands " game and is the greatest football game I have ever seen.
Next was the 1976 AFC Championship game win over the two-time defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 24 to 7.
I used to worship the Raiders.
Now...they horn down on the Big One with unbridled eagerness.
@@yourroyalhighness7662 yeah , what happened between him and Marcus ?
But he "lOvEd ThE fAnS sO mUcH". What a joke. I completely agree.
When Al Davis made the trade for Jason Campbell that was one of the best moves he ever made Jason brought them their first winning season on over a decade
Owners that are too involved in their own teams have a hard time with success. While Al was great in his heyday, by the time his senility took over, he was just making terrible decisions, especially in the draft. We are seeing a similar problem in Dallas with Jerry Jones. Owners make decisions regarding the stadium and the city. GMs make decisions regarding the roster. Coaches make decisions regarding the game. Clear delineation of roles is absolutely critical to the success of a team. When lines are blurred, guys are worried about being second-guessed and there is also less accountability.
Good interview. This guy is very credible and sums of the life of Al Davis.
growing up in the 1960's and 70's in the east bay i was a diehard raider/a's fan. as much as i wanted to i never could get back as a raider fan when they came back to oakland. al davis wouldn't sign a new lease with the coliseum on purpose because the rams moved to anaheim and al wanted the la market. al built the raiders and then burned them down. charlie finley did the same with a's. some people just can't stand success without being the whole show.
What a great book !! I loved it.
I love how all these millennials speak of Al Davis as a hero. He was an asshole and even in death he still an asshole.
-This comes from my lifelong raider fan.
He screwed the fans by moving towns
Al Davis the greatest Raider of them all
Al Davis was hell bent on showing Marcus Allen that he could get a better back neglecting other needs of the team we passed on Dan Marino the fall was beginning
The seed of decline was planted in 1980 when he drafted QB Marc Wilson. Then, as he insisted Wilson was the answer, he bypassed three quality QBs for three straight years (1983-85). Quality QBs he wouldn't have to break up the team to get.
He failed to draft Dan Marino in 1983. He failed to sign Warren Moon coming out of Canada in 1984. And he failed to sign Bobby Hebert as the USFL folded in 1985. Each time Davis response was, "We're committed to Marc Wilson." 🙄🙄🙄🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
As much as I like the Oakland Raiders, and as much respect as I have for Al Davis, it sounds to me like Mr. Davis wanted to be the star, and not the star maker. He also held insane grudges. Once he got something into his mind, you wasn't going to change his mind.
Marcus Allen benching for example?
@@AnArchyRulzz Or Marc Wilson Wilson as a starting QB?
These guys tried to sue the Raiders and LOST.....This book is full of lies
The Raiders Daily the truth is Al sucked at inning the team for twenty years, he benched the Super Bowl MVP for 6 years when he could have traded him for first round pick to help win...don’t tell me Al was a great owner from 1985-his death.
True or not I can't respect how's he's talking bad about a dead man. Real easy to act like you know all the right picks when people don't really have your own player selection track record.
Dontdoittoyoself he’s not bad mouthing Al, he’s saying the truth
Charlie B Everybody has hits and misses. Good owner or not the book is uncalled for in my opinion.
Dontdoittoyoself books are written about everyone it’s a free country, everyone knew Al lost his mind his last 20 years alive...why bench Marcus Allen the Super Bowl MVP??? Isn’t your motto just win baby? Then why bench a guy that helps you win? Why not trade Allen while he has outstanding value? Al Sucked at drafted last 20 years his Gruden trade all draft picks were busts two first round picks in two seconds all busts.
Sounds like a charmer to work for.
What happened between him and Marcus Allen ?
Damn the Raiders could’ve had Brett Farve
Call me Al!! 😂😂😂
Cliff caught punts in College , turn his back and ran backwards 10 yds ( gain space )turn around and pick a direction take off . Flores throw him balls from 10feet to build his hands catching skills .
Passing on Aaron Rogers? I heard that in 1983 he wanted Dan Marino, but he was busy going to court fighting the NFL regarding his relocation to L.A. in 1982 that the day of the draft in 1983 he couldn't attend the draft nor he was able to be contacted by his scouts and Dan Marino ended up being picked by the Miami Dolphins. Trading Jon Gruden and Charles Woodson back in 2002 was one of his worst decisions as the owner of the Raiders. I honestly believe had he kept Jon Gruden and Charles Woodson the Raiders would have won a couple of Super Bowls. I hope Jon Gruden can bring some Super Bowl trophies in his second chapter with the Raiders.
he will!!!
@@josegalindo5982 I hope, but I was shocked when I saw the Raiders struggling yesterday to the very end of the game to beat the the most disgraced team in the NFL, the New York Jets. I thought they were going to score at will against the Jets and they almost become the Jets' first victim. They lost against a dysfunctional team like the Atlanta Falcons and I was counting on the Raiders to win that game without any problems and they were humiliated by a losing team and they didn't even score a touchdown. I think that Jon Gruden is going to get a QB that is more consistent than Derek Carr. They could have beaten the Chiefs for a second time, but again Derek Carr's inconsistency cost them the game and the defense was unrecognizable against the Chiefs in their last meeting. The Raiders need more consistency to achieve the ultimate goal which is a Super Bowl trophy. I hope they make the playoffs this year and that will mean progress. I am not expecting them to go to the Super Bowl next February.
First off, it's easy to Monday morning QB the draft. Yeah - why didn't we pick Tom Brady? Because nobody thought he would be a decent QB - EVERYBODY passed on him... FIVE TIMES. So far as Marino - that is not how it happened. We had Plunkett who just won a Super Bowl and we had Marc Wilson primed and ready to be the starter after Plunkett. Al (and everybody else) thought were set at QB - plus Marino was a question mark - that's why he was drafted AFTER so many other QBs had already been picked... guys like Todd Blackledge and Tony Eason. He wasn't a guaranteed superstar at that point.
So far as Gruden? That career .500 coach we're stuck with again? He had a Super Bowl team for two years and couldn't get the Raiders over the hump with his conservative play calling that ALWAYS KEEPS THE OTHER TEAM IN THE GAME. You know - JUST LIKE NOW. How long did it take Bill Callahan to get us over the hump? One season. Why? Because he let the offense attack. Gruden sucks - he won the Super Bowl with Tony Dungy's team (he said so himself) and he had the Raiders' playbook. Callahan didn't mix anything up in the Super Bowl. Gruden sucks - Al made the right choice to dump him for picks because he wasn't taking the team to the SB and Gruden had already said he was leaving anyway. So either lose Gruden and get nothing - or get two 1s and two 2s. Which option would you take?
Charles Woodson? He was a cap hit - we didn't trade him. We let him go because he was becoming a malcontent and it was going to cost us too much to keep him. Nobody - not even the Packers - thought he would turn his career and attitude around the way he did in Green Bay. He would not have led us to a Super Bowl anyway - we didn't have a QB in those years.
@@rogerthat9306 Regarding the story about Dan Marino, you can check it out on the documentary NFL Class of '83. Callahan sold us out in that Super Bowl against the Buccaneers. He changed the playbook at the last minute and implemented the same playbook that Jon Gruden taught him. That came from Jerry Rice's mouth in a documentary and you can find it here on TH-cam. After the that Super Bowl defeat, he was seen at a bar with Jon Gruden on the same day. Callahan was more loyal to Jon Gruden than to the Raiders. If they don't fix their defense, we might see the Raiders replicating the same record from the last season or worst.
@@EnjoyLifeNow24 Regarding the Jerry Rice thing - there are a couple players that say Callahan sold out the team and plenty who take the opposite view. What's true? We'll probably never know - but I have to ask the question, WHY would Callahan do that? Davis made him the head coach of the team - the ONLY time he's been an NFL head coach. Why would you PURPOSELY lose the most important game of your life - the game you've worked your entire life to get to - for a coach who left you behind? If they were such great "friends" - why didn't Gruden take him to Tampa? And if Callahan hated Al THAT much - why not quit and move on? It just doesn't make sense on any level.
So far as the '83 documentary, did you watch the whole thing? Because they cover both sides of the story. One coach (I forget who) wanted Marino. The rest of the coaches and Al wanted Mosebar (who was also a good pick, btw) for the reasons I stated. Go back and watch it again - it's all in there. We were set at QB at that time.
And I stand by the Gruden stuff - we would have never won a Super Bowl with him as the head coach back then, and I sincerely doubt we will now. He's too conservative on offense - always has been. If you remember, even though Tampa was blowing the Raiders out in the SB - we almost got back in that game because he took his foot off the gas. Gruden is NOT a Raider.
I can't believe that Al Davis passed up on Brett Favre. Imagine if we would have had Calvin Johnson how much of a nightmare he would have been for our division rivals. What was Al Davis thinking? Him and Jerry Jones are two peas in the same pod smh
He ruined the franchise he made great..His ego and insecurities ruined a great career
Hunt will never realize how bad he screwed himself!
Al Davis wasn't perfect, no man is, I can see why he was stubborn to do things his way..because it worked for so long. People can talk about how the Raiders were irrelevant for most of the 90s into the 2000s but that's just because Al was old at that point. He took the poorest franchise in the league as head coach and then owner and turned into a 3x super Bowl Champion, twice in Oakland and once in LA. I don't think there are many owners who can say they did that..if any. He made a guy like John Madden a household name to this day with kids playing the latest version of "Madden" every year. Most of the hate Al Davis gets is from pissy fanboys of other teams that were either irrelevant back in the day or are still irrelevant to this day. Al Davis shaped the way the game is played, whether it was the bump and press defensive scheme or throwing a bomb on 1st down. The man was a football visionary whether people like it or not.
The problem with Al Davis is that he didn't change with the times. His philosophy with the vertical deep passing game and the hard nosed offense worked in the '60s, '70s and the first part of the '80s, but then the game started to change with Bill Walsh's West Coast offense, plus with free agency becoming more rampant in not only the NFL but the NBA and MLB as well. You now have players going to the highest bidder. But then, of course Davis let his pride and ego get into the way of trying to win football games with the talent that he had. The bitter feuds he had with players such as Marcus Allen, plus his fighting the NFL in the courts didn't help matters either. He just didn't know when to get out of the way and let others run the show in the best interest of the team.
I meant hard nosed DEFENSE! sorry! !
@@martinkurtz9269 Good lord - THE RAIDERS WENT TO THE SUPER BOWL IN 2003! RIch Gannon didn't even play in the 60s, 70s and 80s! It's amazing how kids just hear something on ESPN and assume it's true.
@@rogerthat9306 If you knew your history, you would know that Al took a step back after he hired Gruden. Al finally saw that maybe he wasn't making the right decisions and let others take some of the responsibilities. The team was being run differently and it had success. Al wanted the credit again and he decided he was going to run it all again. So he ran Gruden out of town and wanted to bring back old time Raider ball with Kerry Collins heaving deep passes again. Al dominated the franchise again and no one would sign to be HC because they knew Al would be the real HC. The drafts were all poor, the coaching hires were poor. The free agent signings were poor. Al was completely gone and there was nothing anyone could do about it. So we fans had to wait it out and wait until he was gone (RIP). Face it, Al was great in the 60's 70's and half the 80's....after that, it was a shit show until Al took a step back when Gruden was hired. Then Al took full control again and it became a shit show again.
@@blite13 Actually, no - that is not what happened. Gruden had already blown two chances at Lombardi's by underperforming in the playoffs with the Super Bowl team Al built for him. Then he wanted personnel control and Al had seen enough to know Gruden was not a personnel guy. Gruden had already decided to leave so Al TRADED him to Tampa for two 1s and two 2s (as opposed to "running him out of town") - iow, Al made lemonade out of lemons. Meanwhile Gruden got his personnel control in Tampa and after Dungy's players left he proceeded to build one sub-.500 team after another - their record being very similar to the Raiders in those days (so where are your complaints about Gruden being "completely gone"?) Your other crap about Al being the "real HC" are disputed by guys like John Madden and Tom Flores so you might want to ratchet back a little on the Raider expert routine.
Beyond that, the Raiders were also one game away from the Super Bowl in '91 under Art Shell - which destroys your "60s, 70s, half the 80s" nonsense. The year Al died we also would have most likely made the playoffs under Hue Jackson if that dumbass could count to 14. Al's latter days were tough because all those years of dominating and remaking the league in his image pissed off a lot of people and when the team went south (as happens with all teams) it became a pile-on situation to get revenge. Madden says Al's football insight never left him - his opinion FAR overrides yours or anyone else's. You've bought into the same ESPN hater bullshit that noob Raider fans buy because they don't understand the history of the team (yeah that's you) or what happened in the 60s, 70s and 80s that irrevocably changed the league in a way that Rozelle, Tagliabue and the guy currently destroying the NFL could never swallow. It's been payback since the mid-60s and Al forcing the merger. But go ahead - keep believing the Raiders are really all about Gruden. Just keep in mind Gruden never took us to the Super Bowl, but BILL FUCKING CALLAHAN did with the SAME TEAM - except they were OLDER.
Unfortunately, Al’s ego got in his own way in the later years.
Marinovich was the early version of Manzel. Both were true head cass that were not mature enough to handle the pressures of the NFL. J'Marcus was another head case who would never succeed in the NFL. Lane Kiffin only cares about Lane Kiffin. He'll never win a national championship. He's an above average coach at best.
Favre had red flags like Marinovich had. Even worse, Favre didn't know what a nickel or dime defense was until his 2nd year in the NFL.
Calvin Johnson was a once in a generational talent, but the same could be said for Jamarcus Russell who had a great college career and one of the strongest arms ever. Johnson was more of the surefire pick, but Russell played QB and a great QB completely revitalizes any organization.
I'm not a Raiders fan, but I think those are 2 poor instances of claiming Al 'lost it.' There are far better examples of that elsewhere.
Richie Hunt LOLOLOL justifying Marinovich over Favre is a spin for the ages. Listen to Marinovich talk for five seconds and you know he’s an imbecile. Horrible pick.
I’m sure every team in the NFL could “woulda coulda shoulda” in the draft and say they could’ve had a hall of fame roster after all is said and done. Fact is it’s a coin flip in every round and every player gets scouted and after the draft is over and their careers are done someone comes out and says, you know we scouted that guy and liked him..it’s bull
Fans get so caught up in their own drafts they don't realize MOST teams do not draft well. Teams with high picks usually do well and teams get lucky. The whiners point to those ANOMALIES and act like the Raiders should be drafting HoF guys every year. That's just not how it happens in the NFL. Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th round. HoFer and one of the greatest DBs ever - Willie Brown... WASN'T DRAFTED - and they had 20 ROUNDS back then.
@@rogerthat9306 yep, its a crapshoot
If I worked for Al I would of worked 24 7 365 for Al
this hack author must been fired by the gr8 AL Davis and has a axe to grind so he made shit up..
Bro al davis overpaid contracts, always wanted to coach, be gm despite his age when we had head coaches, he was the downfall of the raiders from 2003 til his death
Sadly mark davis is the only one with some sense getting gms and jon gruden.
I love Mr. Davis. His ego was bigger than his Raiders. He went to the last day of his life. Rest in peace Mr. Davis
Al is the Raiders.
@@jackjax532 not any more. Al ran the franchise into the ground and it's taken years to get it back. Al is not here any more, the team is moving to Vegas, time to move on?
@@jackjax532 it's not about Al any more. His history is still there and it shows he ran the org into the ground. It has taken years to recover. If you are going to tell Al's story, the time period from the defeat in the SB to Tampa, to the end of his life, was a disaster. You could even take it back to moving the team to L.A. The team went hollywood and it was never the same. Since then, we fans have had to endure some very hard times and Al was the cause.
@@jackjax532 truth hurts huh?
After a while Al just lost sight of everything seems like he continued to take control of everything with the team which he didn't have to do so anymore
Yeah. It's the same old story with owners who age.
shows what a horrible human being with money and power can do to others
🏈☠️💀🏈
I'm a Raiders fan, these people in comments calling Al the greatest obviously weren't fans after 2001 like me lol
Dave Hobbs yes true! Everyone could see Al had lost it, his drafts were terrible and he wasn’t trying to win. Benches Allen a Super Bowl MVP when he could have traded him for a first round pick I bet. What good is super bowl MVP on the bench?
The sad irony is that Lane Kiffin was right about everything.
Lane Kiffin - the one coach in the Raiders history who had the players GIVING UP - actually QUITTING in the middle of games. The guy who's been bounced out of every fucking job he's had in the pros AND college. You REALLY need to quit talking now. Seriously. I'm telling you this as a friend.
This guy wants to make a name smearing a legend. Same kind of a schmuck wrote a similar book about Walter Payton. AL was by no means perfect. He was a cantankerous old mule. But during his career he did more for the NFL than any other individual person. First Minority Coach, First Minority Head Coach (Tom Flores), First Black Head Coach (Art Shell), he saved careers of guys like Matuszak, Alzado, Hendricks and Plunkett. The guy did it his way to the end. But his way was The Way in the NFL for many years. Team of the Decades, Kings of Monday Night Football, The Most Winningest Sports Franchise of the 70’s and 80’s. Rest In Peace AL. Raider Nation still loves you.
MichaelH416 tell it on the mountain!
Al was the Boss of all bosses! People forget this country was once built by strong so strong men of yesterday! Al was molded from this American culture that created many great men of this time! It’s never easy being the Big Boss Man! Rip Al Davis! Go Las Vegas Raiders!!!!
R T/X No offense, it sounds like your mad about what he didn’t do for you, rather than what he did do for the league. Yes he made unpopular decisions, like moving the team, but in the end he did what he did to protect his property (yes the team was HIS, NOT OURS) and expand the game.
@@MichaelH416 admit it he was a nutjob by the end of his life, yes he did great things, but by end of his life he interfered way too much and was probably senile.
I am an Al Davis fan as well, but ppl have a right to write and sell books......and since this author was an insider to the Raiders, one can expect a very TRUTHFUL book.
Pretty Accurate thoughts here
Talk about don't speak ill of the dead
So THATS who Jerry Jones is trying to be!
What a traitor
Fact is no jackson was a way bigger star that Marcus. All handed him just fine and as far as allen#32.bk Jackson way better player
And what Super Bowl did Bo lead the Raiders to??? Or for that matter, Eric Dickerson? There's no disputing what Marcus meant to his teammates and the organization when the team played him. It seems that Citizen Al could not do anything to change that. Al's ego was just too big to allow others to get due credit for what they did for the organization.
@@u2bwatcher1 Marcus was a great player - no doubt. But this narrative that has come to be accepted as fact that the problem was Al and only Al is absolute bullshit. Marcus wanted to the ONE star on a team that (at the time) was FULL of stars. He wanted the ball all the time when the Raiders were always a balanced attack - no one player (outside of the QB) was the guy who carried the team. Marcus wanted the same kind of attention he got at USC and Al told him he was going to be an important cog in a winning machine - but NOT the focal point. Marcus' ego couldn't live with that.
@@rogerthat9306 I wrote this a couple yrs ago but I sense your passion in defending Al so I guess I touched a nerve. I've been a Raider fan since the 1972 season and have seen the greatness of the Raiders which, without Al, there would be no Raiders at all. But I've also seen the revolving door of coaches from the late 80s thru 2000s who had to tiptoe around Al's personality too. But I think if you are honest about it, the greatest Raider also had the greatest ego. And that person was not Marcus...you can fill in whatever other Raider player or head coach you want.
@@u2bwatcher1 Well as a Raider fan since the mid-60s, I'm always glad to welcome aboard the youngsters and educate them on the history of the team. If you need help with any of the other false rumors about the Raiders - don't be afraid to ask. Always glad to help.
Marcus is in the Hall of Fame. Bo Jackson was a great player for about 2 half seasons.
Al lost his mojo when his health faded. Al was a lot like trump...no one could tell him a fuckin thing.
Another thing Al Davis had in common with Donald Trump: He loved Marc Wilson.
Now his son Mark dumb Davis is running team into the ground, should have never given Gruden 10 year contract.
I can never forget Darryl Stingley and what the Raiders (Jack Tatum) did to him. Good for the Patriots organization!!! Go New England!! Let's get another two Super Bowl victories before Tom retires.
Joe Della Selva And the only person to show up to Stingley’s hospital room after the game? John Madden. No Patriots.
@@TheSteveSteele fukn patriot fans... smh...
This was a bullshit interview. How many teams passed on Rodgers? How many teams have zero championships? Al Davis has done so many great things for football, diversity, etc... I can't stand focusing on negativity.
I'm late. Say it again MichealH416
Everyone wants there 15 minutes of fame 😒
Not surprised. Davis and the Raiders have always been trash.
Raiders are such a circus can't wait for the Davis family to sell the team and someone make it a winner its sad to see the Raiders be a pushover of the NFL
Raiders vs. America
@@dj2dope820 at least he wasn't a perv... Only in America can there be a Raiders franchise
Old white guy control grown black athletes. Looks familiar. Lolol.
Al Davis had a terrible draft record
Haha what a bum author
I enjoy how irrelevant the Raiders are now. One winning season in 16 years. Only Cleveland matches that futility. It's like Cleveland still living off the glory years of the 1950s. Silver and Black has turned to zinc, and the Raider shield has become a coaster for the rest of the NFL's drinks.
I enjoy how even in the rare times the Raiders aren't winning - we're still under the skin of every fan of every team out there. Because in the end? Every fan of every other team in every other league knows their team, their fan base and their entire sports experience couldn't carry the Nation's jockstrap.
ItsFazsha And you’ve been irrelevant since birth.
LA went to his head. The end.
that the reason the NFL Hate him and Georgia Frontiere for the mess it have with that city .