Oakland's Al Davis Dies

In stunning news, Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders has died.
From ESPN: Raiders owner Al Davis, whose NFL legend as a pioneering rebel began 60 years ago as an assistant with the Baltimore Colts and was punctuated with a 1992 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in Canton, has died at 82.
The team's website released the news, posting a simple tribute with his name in large silver letters above "July 4, 1929-October 8, 2011."
The Raiders said the team will issue a statement later Saturday. No cause of death was released.
Davis died in his home in Oakland on Saturday morning. There will be a moment of silence to honor Davis at all NFL games this weekend, the NFL said in a memo.
"Al Davis' passion for football and his influence on the game were extraordinary," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement tweeted by spokesman Greg Aiello. "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."
It was Davis' willingness to buck the establishment that helped turn the NFL into THE establishment in sports -- the most successful sports league in American history.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7074380/oakland-raiders-owner-al-davis-dies-82
From the Oakland Tribune: Al Davis, the iconic owner of the Raiders who built a pro football team in his own image, moved it to Los Angeles and then back again, died Saturday at age 82.
The club announced his death on its website with the statement:
"AL DAVIS
JULY 4, 1929 -- OCT. 8, 2011
THE RAIDER FAMILY WILL ISSUE A STATEMENT LATER TODAY"
The cause of death and details on Davis' passing were not immediately available. The Raiders are in Houston for Sunday's game against the Texans. Although in failing health because of an undisclosed medical issues, Davis attended the Raiders' most recent game, a 31-19 loss to the New England Patriots.
He did not travel to a Week 2 game in Buffalo, only the second game he has
Super Bowl since 1983 and have just three seasons with records of over .500 in 15 seasons since returning to Oakland, Davis achieved his goal of making his team one of the most recognizable franchises in professional sports.
Davis is survived by his wife Carol and son Mark. He said in previous interviews that his wife and son would inherit the Raiders upon his death, although in keeping with the secrecy inherent in the organization, little is known about how the club will function in terms of day-to-day operations.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_19070846

And the Oakland Raider Web site: http://www.raiders.com/

The Bay Area has lost two icons in their fields this week, Steve Jobs and Al Davis and both will be missed.