The man who coined the phrase “Just Win Baby!”, Hall of Famer and Owner of the Oakland Raiders, Al Davis has died. He was said to have died at his home in Oakland but the cause of death has not been released. Al Davis was 82 years old.

Al Davis 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.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said:
“Al Davis’s passion for football and his influence on the game were extraordinary,” he adds “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.“

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams said:
“Al was a football man — his entire life revolved around the game he loved,” he also says “He worked his way up through the ranks and had a knowledge of all phases of the game. That experience aided him as an owner. He was quite different from every other owner in that way. As an AFL guy, he was in that group of people who pushed our league forward. I didn’t get to see him over the last few years and I know many, including myself, will miss him.“

Bengals owner and president Mike Brown said:
“Personally, I was fond of him,” ha adds, “He battled with the NFL, and a lot of us wished that had not been where things went, but under all that was a person I respected. It saddens me to hear that he is gone.“

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