The Oakland Raiders have confirmed that Raiders owner Al Davis, is dead at 82 years old. The controversial owner has one of the deepest ties with the NFL of anyone. He is the only person in professional football to work as a personnel assistant, scout, assistant coach, head coach, GM, commissioner, team owner/CEO.
ESPN reports:
Davis died in his home in Oakland on Saturday morning.
The team’s website released the news, posting a simple tribute with his name in large silver letters above “July 4, 1929-October 8, 2011.”
The Raiders said the team will issue a statement later Saturday. No cause of death was released.
“Al Davis’ passion for football and his influence on the game were extraordinary,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement tweeted by spokesman Greg Aiello. “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.”
