"Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis dead at 82
By Josh Dubow - AP Sports Writer, Oct. 8, 2011

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Al Davis, the Hall of Fame owner of the Oakland Raiders known for his rebellious spirit, has died.

The team said the 82-year-old died at his home in Oakland on Saturday morning.

It was Davis' willingness to buck the establishment that helped turn the NFL into THE establishment in sports — the most successful sports league in American history.

Davis was charming, cantankerous and compassionate — a man who when his wife suffered a serious heart attack in the 1970s moved into her hospital room. But he was best known as a rebel, a man who established a team whose silver-and-black colors and pirate logo symbolized his attitude toward authority, both on the field and off.

Davis was one of the most important figures in NFL history. That was most evident during the 1980s when he fought in court — and won — for the right to move his team from Oakland to Los Angeles. Even after he moved them back to the Bay Area in 1995, he went to court, suing for $1.2 billion to establish that he still owned the rights to the L.A. market.

Until the decline of the Raiders into a perennial loser in the first decade of the 21st century he was a winner, the man who as a coach, then owner-general manager-de facto coach, established what he called "the team of the decades" based on another slogan: "commitment to excellence." And the Raiders were excellent, winning three Super Bowls during the 1970s and 1980s and contending almost every other season — an organization filled with castoffs and troublemakers who turned into trouble for opponents.

Davis, elected in 1992 to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, also was a trailblazer. He hired the first black head coach of the modern era — Art Shell in 1988. He hired the first Latino coach, Tom Flores; and the first woman CEO, Amy Trask. And he was infallibly loyal to his players and officials: to be a Raider was to be a Raider for life.

But it was his rebellious spirit, that willingness to buck the establishment, that helped turn the NFL into THE establishment in sports — the most successful sports league in American history. He was the last commissioner of the American Football league and led it on personnel forays that helped force a merger that turned the expanded NFL into the colossus it remains.

Born in Brockton, Mass., Davis grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Erasmus Hall High School, a spawning ground in the two decades after World War II for a number of ambitious young people who became renowned in sports, business and entertainment. Davis was perhaps the second most famous after Barbra Streisand.

"We had a reunion in Los Angeles and 500 people showed up, including Bah-bruh," he once told an interviewer in that combination of southern drawl/Brooklynese that was often parodied among his acquaintances within the league and without.

A graduate of Syracuse University, he became an assistant coach with the Baltimore Colts at age 24; and was an assistant at The Citadel and then Southern California before joining the Los Angeles Chargers of the new AFL in 1960. Only three years later, he was hired by the Raiders and became the youngest general manager-head coach in pro football history with a team he called "the Raid-uhs" in 1963.

He was a good one, 23-16-3 in three seasons with a franchise that had started its life 9-23.

Then he bought into the failing franchise, which played on a high school field adjacent to the Nimitz Freeway in Oakland and became managing general partner, a position he held until his death.

But as the many bright young coaches he hired — from John Madden, Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden to Lane Kiffin — found out, he remained the coach. He ran everything from the sidelines, often calling down with plays, or sending emissaries to the sidelines to make substitutions.

In 1966, he became commissioner of the AFL.

But even before that, he had begun to break an unwritten truce between the young league and its established rivals, which fought over draft choices but did not go after established players.

And while the NFL's New York Giants' signing of Buffalo placekicker Pete Gogolak marked the first break in that rule, it was Davis who began to go after NFL stars — pursuing quarterbacks John Brodie and Roman Gabriel as he tried to establish AFL supremacy.

Davis' war precipitated first talks of merger, although Davis opposed it. But led by Lamar Hunt of Kansas City, the AFL owners agreed that peace was best. A common draft was established, and the first Super Bowl was played following the 1966 season — Green Bay beat Kansas City, then went on to beat Davis' Raiders the next season. By 1970, the leagues were fully merged and the league had the basic structure it retains until this day — with the NFL's Pete Rozelle as commissioner, not Davis, who wanted the job badly.

So he went back to the Raiders, running a team that won Super Bowls after the 1976, 1980 and 1983 seasons — the last one in Los Angeles, where the franchise moved in 1982 after protracted court fights. It was a battling bunch, filled with players such as John Matuszak, Mike Haynes and Lyle Alzado, stars who didn't fill in elsewhere who combined with homegrown stars — Ken Stabler, another rebellious spirit; Gene Upshaw; Shell, Jack Tatum, Willie Brown and dozens of others.

Davis was never a company man. Not in the way he dressed: jump suits with a Raiders logo: white or black, with the occasional black suit, black shirt and silver tie. Not in the way he wore his hair — even well into his '70s it was slicked back with a '50s duck-tail. Not in the way he did business — on his own terms, always on his own terms.

After lengthy lawsuits involving the move to Los Angeles, he went back to Oakland and at one point in the early years of the century was involved in suits in northern and southern California — the one seeking the Los Angeles rights and another suing Oakland for failing to deliver sellouts they promised to get the Raiders back.

But if owners and league executives branded Davis a renegade, friends and former players find him the epitome of loyalty.

When his wife, Carol, had a serious heart attack, he moved into her hospital room and lived there for more than a month. And when he hears that even a distant acquaintance is ill, he'll offer medical help without worrying about expense.

"Disease is the one thing — boy I tell you, it's tough to lick," he said in 2008, talking about the leg ailments that had restricted him to using a walker. "It's tough to lick those diseases. I don't know why they can't."

A few years earlier, he said: "I can control most things, but I don't seem to be able to control death. "Everybody seems to be going on me."

As he aged, his teams declined.

The Raiders got to the Super Bowl after the 2002 season, losing to Tampa Bay. But for a long period after that, they had the worst record in the NFL, at one point with five coaches in six years.

Some of it was Davis' refusal to stay away from the football operation — he would take a dislike to stars and order them benched.

The most glaring example was Marcus Allen, the most valuable player in the 1984 Super Bowl, the last the Raiders won.

For reasons never made clear, Davis took a dislike to his star running back and ordered him benched for two seasons. He released him after the 1992 season, and Allen went to Kansas City.

Davis' only comment: "He was a cancer on the team."

The small incorporated city of Irwindale, 20 miles east of Los Angeles, learned an expensive lesson about dealing with Davis. The city gave the Raiders $10 million to show its good faith in 1988, but environmental issues, financing problems and regional opposition scuttled plans to turn a gravel pit into a $115 million, 65,000-seat stadium. The deposit was nonrefundable, and Irwindale never got a penny back.

When he fired Mike Shanahan in 1988 after 20 games as head coach, he refused to pay him the $300,000 he was owed. When he became coach of the Denver Broncos, Shanahan delighted most in beating the Raiders and Davis. And when Davis fired Lane Kiffin "for cause" in 2008, withholding the rest of his contract, the usually humorless Shanahan remarked:

"I was a little disappointed, to be honest with you. When you take a look at it, I was there 582 days. Lane Kiffin was there 616 days. So, what it really means is that Al Davis liked Lane more than he liked me. I really don't think it's fair. I won three more games, yet he got 34 more days of work. That just doesn't seem right."

But for most of his life, few people laughed at Al Davis." And out of respect for the MAN who was one of the original coaches of the LA Chargers, this website will no longer publish humor involving Mr. Davis either.

" 8 and 8. "
"Bag Time…. Embarrassing watching these slackers sums it up. Time for everybody to show up in the stands wearing brown bags over their heads. Please Santa no more Raider gear. The Salvation Army would not even take it. They want something they can sell in their thrift store. They quit on us the fans and they quit on each other. Bag time…… Signed 'An honest Raider fan'"

Raider Fans are full of it, so here's to 'em. They'll need it again this year and the years after.

THE SPORTS CURMUDGEON SAYS: "For too long a time, 'Raider Nation' has been the US version of English soccer hooliganism. Passion in supporting a team is one thing; 'Raider Nation' is far closer to thuggery. And don't be conned by the media's suggestion that these fans are unswerving in their support for and dedication to the Raiders. The Super Bowl was supposed to be a 'Raider Home Game.' If you taped the game, go back and play the tape but instead of watching the plays, listen for 'Raider Nation' once they were down by 14 points. Instead of exhorting the team, that pack of poseurs and front-runners shut their noiseholes just like every other set of fans. Like the Raiders' team, this group is living on reputation." TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE, CLICK ON CEREBRAL RANTINGS.

Raider Hater

Raider Hater
"and I'm too old to get up so I'll just go
to the broadcast booth like all has-beens."
Raiders Hater
Raider Hater

A man walked into an Oakland bar with a dachshund under his arm. The dog was wearing an Oakland Raiders jersey and helmet, and was festooned with Raiders pom-poms.

The bartender said, "Hey! No pets are allowed in here! You'll have to leave!"

The guy begged him, "Look, I'm desperate. We're both big fans, my TV is broken, and this is the only place around where we can see the game!"

After securing a promise that the dog will behave, and warning him that he and the dog will both be thrown out if there's any trouble, the bartender relented and allowed them to stay in the bar and watch the game.

The big game began with the Raiders receiving the kickoff. They marched down the field, got stopped at about the 30, and kicked a field goal.

With that the dog jumped up on the bar, and began walking up and down the bar giving high-fives to everyone.

The bartender said, "Wow, that is the most amazing thing I've ever seen! What does the dog do when the Raiders score a touchdown?"

The owner replied, "I don't know, I've only had him for 4 years." Raiders suck
Fuck the Raiders Raider Hater

Broncos fans Jill (from Oregon), Courtney and Allison (from Colorado), all currently living in New York City
proudly display their ChargerTom.com T-shirt Iron-on sentiments for the Chokeland Faiders and their fans.
JOIN THE RAIDER HATER UNIVERSE, GET YOUR IRON-ON NOW.

2005 Record: 4 - 12 (ha, ha, ha!!!)
2006 Record: 2 - 14 (ha, ha, ha!!!)
2007 Record: 4-12 (ha, ha, ha!!!)
2008 Record: 5-11 (ha, ha, ha!!!)
2009 Record: 5-11 (ha, ha, ha!!!)
2010 Record: 8-8 (WOW, a non-losing season!!!)

"Hey Raider players Come in here with your fans!"
Now that's what I call a "Black Hole"
It's official, they are the "Jokeland" Faiders !!!

Don't email me about your Super Bowl wins -- that was 26 years ago. You're living in the PAST just like your Grampa Al.

Now aren't you proud to be a stupid Raider fan?!?! Hang up your Halloween costume.
Stay out of our city and stay out of our stadium or you'll just have to keep getting embarrassed by an ass kicking.
The Universe hates you, the Universe is laughing at you, you're a pitiful "Nation" of dolts.

THE RAIDERS ARE SO BAD THEIR FANS ARE NOW WEARING TWO EYE PATCHES
SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO SEE THEM GET SLAUGHTERED.

"How did you enjoy your holiday in Israel?" "It was great!" "Did you visit the Wailing Wall?"
"Yes, but I couldn't get anywhere near it for the Raiders fans."

Question: What's the difference between a new puppy and a Raiders fan?
Answer: The puppy eventually stops whining.

Miss Raiderette. Elected by Raiders fans as
the most beautiful woman in Oakland.

Please sign the Map on the Home Page so we can see the entire Raider Haters Universe.

15................Tefft Junior High School
22................Cub Scout Troop #101
29................Oakland Blind Academy

October
6.................Spanish American War Vets
13................Crippled Children's Home
20................Bay Area Mental Hospital
27................Girl Scout Troop # 353

3..................Oakland Venereal Disease Clinic
10.................Cicero Boys Choir
17.................Korean Amputees

1 - When playing polio patients, the Raiders must not disconnect the opponents' knee braces.

2 - When playing the Blind Academy, the Raiders must not hide the football under their jerseys.

1 - A touchdown (this is when the ball is carried over the goal line for all you Raider fans that have never seen this ) it is still worth 6 points.

4 - The Raiders will be awarded 10 timeouts as opposed to 3 for the opposing team.

5 - The Raiders will be awarded a first down with each gain of three yards or more, instead of the usual ten yards.

The Oakland Raiders will be changed to the "Oakland Tampons" as they are only good for one period and have no second string.

Tom Gable will be replaced by Monica Lewinsky. She will no doubt blow a few, but she certainly won't choke on 12 out of 16.

Did you hear about the raider fan that died at a pie eating contest? The cow kicked him in the head!. (Submitted by a fellow Raider Hater and KC Chiefs fan).

Question: What's the difference between a Raiders fan and a bucket of shit? Answer: The bucket. (Submitted by a fellow Raider Hater).

Did you hear that the Post Office has just recalled their latest stamp? It seems they had photos of Raider players on them and folks couldn't figure out which side to spit on.

Do you know what "Raiders" actually stands for? Raider Asshole Idiots Doing Excruciating Rap Songs.

There's a rumor that the Raider have line up a new corporate sponsor - Tampax. They though it was appropriate since the team is going through a very bad period.

What's the difference between a Raiders fan and a Chimp? Ones hairy, stupid and smells, and the other is a Chimpanzee.

An anxious woman goes to her doctor. "Doctor," she asks nervously, "I'm worried sick - can you get pregnant from anal intercourse?" "Of course," replies the doctor, "Where do you think Raiders fans come from?"

How do you knock out a Raiders fan when he's been drinking? Slam the toilet seat on his head.

How can you tell a level-headed Raiders fan? He dribbles from both sides of his mouth ö at the same time.

Why do Sumo Wrestlers shave their legs? So they aren't mistaken for Oakland women.

What are silver and black, silver and black, and silver and black? A drunken Raider fan rolling down the bleachers.

What do Raiders fans and laxatives have in common? Both irritate the absolute crap out of you.

Two Chargers fans were walking through a cemetery when they happened upon a tombstone that read: "Here lies Jose' Sanchez, a good man and a Raiders fan." So, one of the Chargers fans ask the other: "When the hell did they start putting two people in one grave?"

You're trapped in a room with a Lion, Cobra snake and a Raiders fan. You have a gun with two bullets. What should you do? Shoot the Raiders fan - twice.

The Seven Dwarfs are working down in the mines when there is a cave-in. Snow White runs to the entrance to the mine and yells down to them. In the distance a voice shouts out of the mine shaft, "The Raiders will win the Super Bowl." Snow White says, "Well at least Dopey's alive."

What do you say to a Raiders fan with a job? "I'll have a Big Mac, fries and a coke, please."

What is the difference between Bill Clinton and Jerry Rice? Clinton can still score.

A little boy took his parents to court because he did not want to live with them anymore. The honored Judge said to him, "So why don't you want to live with your Dad?" "Because he beats me," said the little boy. "Why donâ' you want to live with your Mother then?" asked the Judge. "Because she beats me as well." "Oh," said the Judge "Well who would you like to live with then?" The little boy replied, "I would like to live with the Oakland Raiders because they don't beat anyone."

Four Surgeons are taking a coffee break. The first Surgeon says, "Accountants are the best to operate on because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered." The second Surgeon says, "Nope, librarians are the best. Everything inside them is in alphabetical order." The third Surgeon says, "Well you should try electricians. Everything inside them in color coded." The fourth Surgeon says, "I prefer Raiders fans. They're heartless, spineless, gutless and their heads and asses are interchangeable."

The Raiders new Coach, Art Shell, was wheeling his shopping cart across the supermarket parking lot when he noticed an old lady struggling with her shopping cart full of groceries. He stopped and asked, "Can you manage dear?" to which the old lady replied, "NO WAY - you got yourself into this mess, don't ask be to sort it out!"

HEARD ANY GOOD ONES LATELY? SEND TO JOKES@CHARGERTOM.COM AND WEâLL POST THEM HERE.

A 8th grade Raider fan was called into the principals' office for missing school for a week. The principal angrily asked him, "So what's your excuse?" The 8th grader sheepishly handed the principal a Jury Summons. (Think about it!!!)

A Raider walks into Sears and barks out at the salesman, "Hey....stupid. Sell me that there TV and make it snappy." The salesman looks at him and says, "Sorry, no can do." The Raider player glares at the salesman and asks, "Why the hell not?" The salesman coolly replies, "Because 'that there TV' is a microwave----stupid!"

Recently MENSA give IQ tests to the Raiders. They scored 155...combined! If they had scored any lower individually, they'd have to be watered.

Hugh Jackson was furious. He slammed down the recently purchased chainsaw and yelled at the salesman, "HEY! This damned thing is USELESS! It don't work and I want my money back!" The salesman replied, "Now just wait a minute. Let's have a look." He pulled the starter rope and the chainsaw started. Hugh Jackson looked at the salesman befuddled and asked, "What's that noise?"

Hugh Jackson had a flat and no jack. A good Samaritan stopped and offered assistance by picking up Hugh's car by the bumper and held it while Hugh changed the tire. This done, the Samaritan set the car down. Hughsaid, "Hell, you're really strong. I'm going out on a limb here, but how'd you like to play football for the best team in the NFL?" The Samaritan looked at Hugh a bit puzzled and finally replied, "That would be great! So who do you know that works for the Chargers?"

Ever notice that some of the Raiders' fans look like Drag Queens on Steroids? What an insult to Drag Queens.

The Raiders played a benefit game against the Gay Men's Choir in San Francisco. In the 4th Quarter the score was Raiders 3 - Gay Men's Choir 35. At the 2-minute warning, the Gay Men's Choir thought it was the end of the game and left .... The Raiders scored 1:58 later .... but missed the extra point.

"Are we Raida fans bad-asses or what?!?! Oops, that was my car I just burned!"

Picture #3 - Idiot Raider Fan after Qualcomm Stadium game.
"Now jus looka' wha' that damn lightning bolt done did to me!"

Please feel free to download these images. Credit to www.chargertom.com would be appreciated.
ORDER RAIDER HATER UNIVERSE ITEMS ON THE MEMORABILIA PAGE.

1. Generally speaking a football fan with enough knowledge to cheer for any team lining up again the scum known as the Raiders. i.e., Bob, being smart, decided to bring mace to fend off the crack-headed Raider fans who dress up like 12 year olds at a Star Wars reunion.

2. All Raider supporters the day after being humiliated in the Super Bowl. i.e., "Sooner or later ... we are all Raider Haters", said Rich Gannon to Tim Brown.

3. A loyal football fan from any NFL team in the Nation who resents the hell out of paying good money to see their team play and then being surrounded by Jokeland Raiders fanatics in their Halloween costumes and Mommie's make-up who are too high and drunk to even know there is a game going on. i.e., Raider Hater Police Officer -- "You have the right to remain silent....."

1. A homeless person who steals tickets to attend a Raider game. i.e., Lewis, after drinking his 400 dollar rent away, decided to rob four San Diego State Students so he could attend the Chargers/Raiders game and torment small children.

2. An A-hole who dresses up for football games. i.e., Raida Fans Jose' and Manuel put makeup on from Mom's purse to go to the Raiders game and urinate on other fans.

3. The majority of NFL football fans serving time in prisons. i.e., Bill was beaten half to death by Raida fan while cheering on the Bucs while serving time for a DWI.

4. A reason to riot regardless of the outcome of a football game. i.e., Raida fan was not to be denied an opportunity to burn a McDonalds regardless of the outcome of the Super Bowl.

5. A fan of the Oakland Raidas who spends more time and effort on his costume than with his family. Also, crack smoking violent moron. i.e., Little Joey hid under the bed because Daddy had burnt his last rock and would soon turn into Raidafan!

The San Diego Chargers fans have figured out how to keep the Raider convicts (err, fans) from dating the San Diego females when they come to San Diego for football games; From now on on Chargers/Raiders game day, the Zoo will be closed.

A new section of Qualcomm Stadium has been designated for Chargers/Raiders games. You may now request seating in the "No stab zone."


HALFTIME "I gotta' go Number One." "I gotta' go Number Two."		FASHION "Geez, I wore my prettiest lucky necklace and they still lost."

MASCOTS The Fairy Pirate Raiders		LOSERS "They said we were goin' to a Halloween party and here we are at another stinkin' Raiders loss. I gotta' get a new family."

MISS. IDAHO "Are you da' Ho?" "No. I da' Ho."		THE BIG GAME "Pull my finger." "No. You pull my finger."

THE CROWD "Ooh gag! What is that horrible smell?" "It's those Raider fans sitting next to you."		INTIMACY "Don't worry cara mia. Someday they will win a game again. I'm still here for you."

THE BLACK HOLE		GAYDER NATION

"Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis dead at 82 By Josh Dubow - AP Sports Writer, Oct. 8, 2011

"Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis dead at 82
By Josh Dubow - AP Sports Writer, Oct. 8, 2011