Al Davis | 1929 - 2011

Al Davis, right, is named commissioner of the American Football League in April 1966 by league president Ralph Wilson, left. Davis’ tenure is short-lived, though; the AFL and the National Football League decided to merge in July 1966 and Davis chose to leave the job immediately rather than stay as commissioner until the end of the AFL in 1970.   (Ed Kolenovsky / Associated Press)

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis watches a practice session in New Orleans in January 1981 for Super Bowl XV, in which the Raiders beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10.   (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Al Davis watches as the Oakland Raiders head toward a Super Bowl victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in January 1981. The championship came amid Davis’ fight with the National Football League to move the team to Los Angeles.   (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Los Angeles Raiders owner Al Davis is delighted after a federal court jury on April 14, 1983, awarded millions of dollars in damages to the team and the Los Angeles Coliseum in antitrust suit against the National Football League.   (Nick Ut / Associated Press)

Los Angeles Raiders owner Al Davis talks with player Kenny Hill at practice in January 1984 before an NFL playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks.   (Lennox McLendon / Associated Press)

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis talks about personal seat licenses at the newly renovated Oakland Coliseum at a news conference in November 1996. The Raiders had moved back to Oakland from Los Angeles before the 1995 NFL season.   (Susan Ragan / Associated Press)

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, left, introduces former Raiders coach John Madden as Madden is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2006.   (Mark Duncan / Associated Press)

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis speaks at a news conference in September 2008; the team’s struggles on the field caused disgruntled fans to make a high-profile plea for Davis to step down as the team’s general manager.   (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Al Davis, in charge of the Raiders’ football operations since 1966, attends an Oakland-San Francisco 49ers game in October 2010.   (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)