The Las Vegas have nearly completed Allegiant Stadium. They recently opened the doors on the structure for the first time, revealing the massive torch built to memorialize the late Al Davis, former owner of the franchise.
He was the owner and general manager of the Oakland Raiders for 39 years, from 1972 until his death in 2011. Prior to becoming the owner of the Raiders, he served as the team’s head coach from 1963 to 1965.
He was part owner from 1966 to 1971, assuming both positions while the Raiders were part of the American Football League. He also served as the commissioner of the AFL in 1966.
Known for his motto “Just win, baby”, the Raiders became one of the NFL’s most successful and popular teams under Davis’ management. They were a contending team for many years. Although the franchise would enter a period of decline in his final years.
The Raiders were a dominating force during the 1970s and 1980s, and won three Super Bowl titles. Davis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Allegiant Stadium lanai doors open to reveal Al Davis torch #RaiderNation
Read more: https://t.co/x7tL9osqOl pic.twitter.com/b6KyLQxeXr
— Vegas Nation (@VegasNation) June 5, 2020
The monument to him stands 85-feet tall and towers over the north end zone. It is the focal point of the $2 billion stadium. The team had a torch in the Oakland Coliseum for Davis, which was microscopic relative to the new one.
Davis will be most fondly remembered as a pioneer for civil rights in the sports world. He refused to allow the Raiders to play in any city where black and white players had to stay in separate hotels.
He was the first NFL owner to hire an African American head coach and a female chief executive (Amy Trask). He was also the second NFL owner to hire a Latino head coach (Tom Flores).
He remains the only executive in NFL history to be an assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner, and owner.
The Al Davis torch stands tall as the lanai doors are opened for the first time in months at the @Raiders Allegiant Stadium. #vegas #raiders #stadium pic.twitter.com/mpvDD1CWiA
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) June 3, 2020
Davis was long considered one of the most controversial owners in the NFL and was involved in multiple lawsuits involving Los Angeles, Oakland, Irwindale and the NFL. In 1980, he attempted to move the Raiders to Los Angeles but was blocked by a court injunction.
In response, Davis filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the NFL and his team won the Super Bowl. In June 1982 a federal district court ruled in Davis’ favor and the team officially relocated to Los Angeles for the 1982 NFL season.
When the upstart United States Football League filed its antitrust suit in 1986, Davis was the only NFL owner who sided with the USFL.
The legal battles raged on throughout his career, and it never really felt like Davis won his fight. But I like to think Davis would be smiling to know the Raiders will take to the field in Vegas this year.
All lit up. 🕶️ pic.twitter.com/wxS8n8E1c0
— Allegiant Stadium (@AllegiantStadm) May 22, 2020
This article was written citing information and media from FOX Sports, NBC Sports and the AP. For more college sports, follow us on Twitter @MWSNsports or like our page on Facebook.
