John Madden Remembers Al Davis

John Madden On Al Davis' Death: 'I Was In Shock'

The pro football world lost a legend over the weekend when Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis passed away at the age of 82. Quite a few owners, general managers and others associated with the game of football have commented on Davis' death and the impact he's had on their careers. 

One of those people is John Madden, who coached Davis' Raiders for a decade. Madden reflected on Davis and how he felt when he initially heard the news in an interview with a San Diego radio station.

"I heard about it sometime, it was either late Friday or early Saturday. It was one of those calls that you get in the middle of the night when you're sleeping and it coulda been five or six o'clock. Amy Trask of the Raiders called and said ‘Al Davis passed away' and I was in shock. I had been with Al Davis since I left San Diego State as a matter of fact in the 1960's. I had been with him directly or indirectly all those years, for six decades. He was a bigger part of my life than any outsider outside of family. He was my best friend. It's Al Davis. Al Davis doesn't die. Just the shock of it. Even though you could see him and knew he was sick and he was failing, he is a fighter, he fights that, you know he was gonna beat it. You always say that you knew he was failing and stuff, but it was still Al Davis. You didn't think it would happen to him."

Madden is one of the people most associated with Al Davis, who often went against the grain in hiring executives and coaches. Madden was the youngest head coach in the league when Davis tabbed him as the leader of the Raiders, and all he did was go on to win 100 games in a decade, along with a Super Bowl.

PHOTO: Raiders Honor Al Davis With Helmet Decal

Via the Oakland Raiders' official Twitter, the team is honoring the memory of late owner Al Davis Sunday with an "Al" sticker surrounded by the iconic Raiders shield. Davis died Saturday at 82 and the cause of his death is unknown, but his legacy will surely live on with the Raiders, a team he was a part of since 1963 as coach, general manager and owner.

Lane Kiffin Reacts To Al Davis Death

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis was one of the most well respected and influential figures of the modern NFL. He helped shape the league into what it was today, but he was not without his clashes. He was a bold and aggressive owner, who did what he wanted and how he wanted to do it. He's one of the most successful owners the league has ever seen, but he's also made some huge blunders. Even when he made his blunders, Davis was still bullish about them. Davis had previously hired two young coaches in John Madden and Jon Gruden in their early thirties, and he took another swing with a young Lane Kiffin.

Some may remember Lane Kiffin's stint as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Kiffin was not a fan of first round draft pick quarterback Jamarcus Russell, but Al Davis was. There was a big back and forth through the media between Davis and Kiffin, and during the press conference in which Kiffin was fired Davis said, "I couldn't go on with the propaganda and lies anymore." 

Kiffin, now the head coach at Southern California, issued this statement to the Los Angeles Times on Davis' passing:

"I was very saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Al Davis," Kiffin said in a statement. "He was an iconic figure in the history of professional football and built a truly legendary franchise with the Raiders.

"I consider myself fortunate to have known him and to have been a part of that Raiders history. Even though our relationship did not end the way I would have liked, I have nothing but the greatest respect for Mr. Davis and I truly appreciate the opportunity he afforded me and so many young coaches, players and staff.

"My thoughts go out to his family and to the family and fans of the Raiders past and present."

Davis was so transcendent throughout the league, that even people you would think should hate him, respected him for what he was.

For more on the Raiders, visit Silver and Black Pride. SB Nation Bay Area will continue to have full updates on Al Davis an all things Bay Area sports.

Memories Of Al Davis From A Raiders Fan

Raiders Release Statement on Al Davis' Death

The Raiders released the following statement Saturday following the passing of team owner Al Davis earlier in the day:

The Oakland Raiders are deeply saddened by the passing of Al Davis.

Al Davis was unique - a maverick, a giant among giants, a true legend among legends, the brightest star among stars, a hero, a mentor, a friend.

Al Davis was the only person in professional football history to have been a scout, assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner and owner.

He was an innovator, a pioneer with a deep love and passion for the game of football. His contributions to the game are innumerable and his legacy will endure forever through generations of players, coaches, administrators and fans.

Al Davis was a champion of diversity who maintained the courage of his convictions. His passion for the game we all love is best exemplified by his famous phrase, "COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE."

The fire that burns brightest in the Raider organization, "THE WILL TO WIN," will continue to blaze through the legacy of the great Al Davis.

Raiders fans are sharing their memories of Davis at SB Nation's Raiders blog, Silver And Black Pride.

Al Davis' Best Quotes: 'Just Win, Baby!'

The loss of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis sent shock waves through the sports and NFL community this morning. His health was a known issue, but Davis was such an iconic figure it was almost an afterthought. As a 29-year old avid football fan, the loss of Al Davis struck me hard because he seemed like one of those figures who would always be around. He's owned the Raiders for longer than I've been alive.

What we can remember Al Davis for though, outside of his success as the owner of the Oakland Raiders, is the plethora of fantastic quotes he's left us win. Many are used well beyond the NFL.

Here's just a sample of some memorable quotes Al Davis graced us with:

• "We don't take what the defense gives us; we take whatever the hell we want."
• "You don't adjust, you just dominate."
• "The quarterback is going down ... The quarterback is going down hard."
• "Why should I talk to you? I don't know where you're from."
• "We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here."

The reaction across the scope of the NFL could be seen on Twitter, as various media personalities and former players reacted to Al Davis' passing.

Former Oakland Raider and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice:

Thoughts & prayers go out to the family & friends of #RaiderNation. Al Davis was a man who's impact on the #NFL will never be forgotten.

Current NFL broadcaster and former player Randy Cross:

I knew Al Davis professionally and he was courteous, intelligent + a winner, did it HIS way. Bill Walsh called him his friend, good nuf 4me

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay:

Al Davis was a wild card maverick,the NFL Brando! His litigious ways against his partners did tarnish, but his visionary ways still shine RIP

NFL Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders:

I grew up a Raiders fan. My deepest sympathies to the @raiders and Davis Family. Truly a sad day for football. RIP Al Davis

Former NFL quarterback and current broadcaster Joe Theismann:

The passing of Mr. Davis marks the end of an era. He helped make the game what it is today. He was willing to push back for his beliefs. RIP

Former Oakland Raiders linebacker and current Buffalo Bill Kirk Morrison:

Always grateful to Mr. Al Davis for giving me the opportunity to play in the NFL. A true Pioneer to our game. #RIPMrDavis

Rapper and Oakland Raiders fan Snoop Dog:

Rest in Power to The Al Davis "win baby win" . U will be missed.

Long time Oakland Raiders beat writer Tim Kawakami:

Al Davis attended Sunday's game. The last few years were a testament to his will. His body said he shouldn't work. But he worked. Big-picture: This loss is incalculable. The Raiders without Al Davis? Impossible to conceive of.

ESPN's Chris Mortenson:

Not sure if I can identify greater contributor to the game than Al Davis. Even those who battled on field, in court & in media honor him

Sports Illustrated's Peter King:

Al Davis, the most unforgettable person I've had the pleasure of meeting in 31 years in the business, dead at 82. RIP.

Oh, how could I forget the most memorable Al Davis quote of all time?

Just win, baby.

For more on the Oakland Raiders and reaction to Al Davis, visit SB Nation's Raiders blog Silver and Black Pride.

Al Davis Dies: Raider Nation Reacts

Oakland Raiders team owner Al Davis has died at the age of 82 and the tributes to one of the league's innovators are already pouring in. The team confirmed the news of his death and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement.

Fans over at SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride are reacting to the loss of the only owner many of them have ever known in Raider Nation.

Autumn is the perfect season for Al Davis to make his exit and pass to the next life - for this season has the Autumn Wind and but for Al Davis there would not have been so many of the great deeds on football fields the past 48 years and all the memories for us associated with them.

"The Autumn Wind" is a poem written by NFL Films president Steve Sabol and it's become a theme song of sorts for the Raiders.

Here's the video:

Roger Goodell On Al Davis' Death: 'He Defined The Raiders'

Al Davis's passion for football and his influence on the game were extraordinary. 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.

Al Davis' Son Will Inherit Control Of Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders have confirmed that legendary owner Al Davis has died at age 82. He's one of the most unique and memorable characters pro football has ever seen and his impact on the game cannot fully be put into words. We may not even have just one league if Davis weren't instrumental in merging the AFL and NFL in the 1960s.

Now that the news of his death is settling in the next logical question is who assumes control of the Raiders. Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News notes that Davis' son, Mark Davis, inherits control of the franchise.

The next question after that is whether Mark Davis will run it in a similar manner as Al Davis did, without hiring a GM. Davis was still involved in many of the personnel decisions made by the franchise and just this week Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said (only sort of jokingly) that Davis was the team's defensive coordinator because he was so involved with the coaching staff.

Head over to SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride where Raiders fans are grieving the loss of one of the game's greats. 

Raiders Confirm Al Davis Dead At Age 82

Word is starting to spread through the NFL world that legendary Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis has passed away at the age of 82. Davis' health was in decline in recent years as his public appearances became few and far between.

The team's website gave us the news of his death with the image above on their website, Raiders.com. (The splash page with the news of his death isn't displaying on mobile phones right now but it's there.)

Davis' impact on pro football is a monumental one. As PFT noted, he was the only person to serve in all of the following roles: personal assistant, scout, assistant coach, head coach, GM, commissioner and team owner. He was one of the reasons the NFL merged with the AFL in the 1960s and, after he took over role as the Raiders managing general partner, they won three Super Bowls turning into one of the league's dominant franchises.

The last 10 years have been different as the Raiders have struggled on the field. Davis continued to go into work to handle business with football operations, often arriving late in the afternoon.

Al Davis, Oakland Raiders Owner, Dies At Age 82