Born July 4, 1929, in Brockton, Massachusetts, Davis grew up in Brooklyn and first attended Wittenberg College and then Syracuse University where he was graduated with a degree in English.
Davis embarked on a coaching career first as the line coach at Adelphi College in 1950 and 1951 and then as the head coach of the U.S. Army team at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia in 1952 and 1953.
In 1963, at the age of 33, Al became the head coach and general manager of the Raiders.
Davis compiled an exceptional record since his first venture into the pro football world as player personnel man with the 1954 Baltimore Colts.
Al compiled a 23-16-3 coaching record in his first three years with the Raiders.
Davis led the 1963 Raiders to a 10-4 record and won unanimous AFL Coach of the Year acclaim.
Al won Super Bowls XI, XV, XVII.
Al was named the AFL Commissioner in April 1966.
Davis returned to Oakland as managing general partner after the AFL and NFL announced a merger.
Davis is the only person to have served pro football in such varied capacities as (1) a player personnel assistant, (2) an assistant coach, (3) a head coach, (4) a general manager, (5) a league commissioner and (6) the principal owner and chief executive officer of an NFL team.
Al was enshrined in 1992.
Davis' Mural
Davis's Bust