Thoughts on Al Davis - The Raiders Great Man
It has been a couple of weeks sense Al Davis passed away. It has given me some time to think about it and put my thoughts in perspective.
Oddly enough the Saturday Night before he died I was talking football with a friend and he joked with me that because Al Davis's mother was alive and over 100 we would probably be stuck with Al in charge of the Raiders for some time.
Although when a person dies it is typical to remember the good and forget the bad. Truly Al Davis was a man of mixed emotions.
He took a beloved local team to LA and back. In my opinion the Raider Fans sense the return of of a different character than those from before he left. Before they were true fans, now I often thing they are just a gang looking for a cause (this is a big generalization as I know there are a great number of true fans out there).
Although a Football Genius at one time he also stuck us with an offense stuck in the 1960's and losers such as Marcus Russel. He was slow to admit mistakes.
He did give as the AFL and is largely responsible for the modern NFL we know and love. He truely loved the game of Football and did all he could to promote it. Certainly Football has in turn had a huge impact on American Culture.
People talk about how Al Davis promoted women, blacks and Hispanics; and this is all true. But I don't think Al saw himself as promoting women, black and Hispanics so much as he saw himself getting the best people for the job and not letting things like race and sex get in the way.
My dad once told me that one reason the Raiders were so good in the 60's and 70's is that they would go to Black Colleges and recruit where other NFL teams would not go. He helped move an All Star Game out of Houston because Black Players faced discrimination at Hotel Rooms. He also took on Black Players that were deemed militant by other NFL teams.
However, this was not affirmative action - quotas on Al's part. If a person could not do a job they did not have a job (Art Shell).
I think his greatness is bigger than the mistakes he may have made.
As I have studied history I find all great men also have great flaws. As time passes we often forget or over look the flaws and focus on the greatness. I already see this happening with Al Davis and he deserves the praise he is getting.
Why Home Point Real Estate?
Home Point Real Estate is your partner in Buying a Home (Free MLS Access to Search for Homes) or Selling a Home (Get a Free on Line Home Evaluation). We are a Leading Internet Real Estate Company with the tools to meet the modern online Real Estate world combined with Traditional and Personal Customer Service.
Where is Home Point Real Estate?
Home Point Real Estate is Located in the East Contra Costa County community of Brentwood we also provide service to Discovery Bay, Antioch, Oakley, and Pittsburg. Click on the Community to see Homes For Sale Now.
Does Home Point Real Estate Handle Bank Owned Homes?
Yes! Go Here to: Get the Free Bank Owned Homes Buying Guide and Get a Free List of Bank Owned Homes.
What if I am in Foreclosure, having Mortgage Trouble, or Want to Short Sale my Home?
Home Point Real Estate is the company for you! Contact Home Point Real Estate and request a Free Consultation with a certifies SFR (Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource) to see if there is a way to save your Home or to do a Short Sale and help Save Your Credit. Get the Free Short Sale information Report for Buyers and Sellers too. Click Now for Short Sale Information and Free SFR Consultation.
Can Home Point Real Estate Help me with Real Estate Investments?
Get The Free Book of Real Estate Investing from Home Point Real Estate along with the Free Investor Calculator. This Book covers complex investing concepts in any easy to read manner with plenty of examples. Including Tax Issues, How to Evaluate an Investment Property, and more.
Make Home Point Real Estate your Partner in Real Estate Success – Call Now 925-260-4321
Gene,
While not a Raiders fan, they have produced some great players and coaches. Davis definitely impacted the game. :)
Steve