This week in Plymouth County history.
Allen R. Davis died on October 8, 2011, known for NFL leadership
Al Davis died on October 8, 2011, in Oakland, California, from heart failure. He was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, on July 4, 1929. Davis moved to New York at a young age but maintained a connection to his birthplace. He built a long career in professional football. In 1963, Davis became head coach and general manager of the Oakland Raiders. He later became the team’s principal owner. Under his leadership, the Raiders won three Super Bowls. Davis played a key role in the AFL-NFL merger in the 1960s. He was known for hiring the first Black head coach and the first female chief executive in the NFL. In 1992, Davis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His leadership shaped the modern NFL. Though his work centered on Oakland, Brockton remains an important part of his early life and legacy. His death ended a significant era in football history.
