Raiders Legend Al Davis Passes Away At 82

He broke down barriers and led the pack his way.

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After 60 accomplished years in the NFL, the Oakland Raiders distinguished owner Al Davis has died at the age of 82. 

He passed away in Oakland in his home Saturday morning, according to ESPN, and the team has announced it will make a statement later in the day. Davis, who has been to the Hall of Fame podium a record 10 times both as an inductee and a presenter, might be recently remembered by younger generations for a losing Raiders organization, but is quite an esteemed person in the NFL. 

Davis started his career in Baltimore as an assistant coach for the Colts at age 24. After stops at The Citadel, Southern California, and the Los Angeles Chargers, he was hired as the youngest general manager-head coach in NFL history by the Raiders in 1963. 

In addition to winning three Super Bowls in 1976, 1980, and 1983, Davis paved the way in breaking down several social barriers. He hired the first black coach, Art Shell, hired the first Latino coach, Tom Flores, and brought in the first female CEO, Amy Trask.

As a man who firmly believed in running Raider Nation the way he thought was best, he will be remembered for the many positive impacts he had on the NFL.

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