Al Davis, a pioneer in the fledgling American Football League in the 1960s and the longtime -- and oftentimes controversial -- owner of the Oakland Raiders, has passed away at the age of 82.
↵Davis's death was announced on Saturday morning on the Raiders' website, and details are given in this story via Fox Sports.
↵After three years with the Los Angeles Chargers of the AFL, Davis joined the Raiders in 1963 as general manager-head coach, and compiled a record of 23-16-3 on the sidelines, then became commissioner of the AFL in 1966.
↵It was Davis's vigorous pursuit of NFL stars that began talks of a merger between the two leagues, although Davis himself opposed the idea. That merger, of course, became a reality in 1970, and the Browns were one of three teams (the Colts and the Steelers were the others) that joined the brand-new American Conference to bring balance to the NFL's new lineup.
↵A true pioneer and also a true rogue at times, but someone who will be missed.
↵Rest in peace, Mr. Davis.
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