Al Davis, The Man to whom Tribute, Fear and Honor is Due (A Response to an NFL Film)

Damali Binta – Nov 12, 2011

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute
to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to
whom honour.

The day after the Oakland Raiders  defeated the San Diego Chargers is the day a documentary on Mr. Al Davis was aired. It was Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, 2011, and it is a day America honors those who have protected and defended this nation. The NFL production gave a poignant account of the powerful career of Davis who moved through all ranks of professional football in the United States.

One of Davis's quotes proclaims his expectation for this generation of Oakland Raiders. He said, "Use the past as a guide...Take this group into the future." The charge to the current staff, coaches and players in the Oakland Raiders franchise will be to do as Davis has stated, "Take this group into the future."

The future in the vision of Davis was one of winning. Winning to Davis extended beyond the football field. Davis helped the "underdogs" win by giving them an opportunity in NFL football. These ideas were highlighted in the NFL video, titled "A Football Life."

Davis idenified and made use of talent in all colors and gender. He is credited with drafting and hiring the first Hispanic coach and the first African American coach in modern football. Davis said it so well in this quote:
It's important to be right.


Those who were interviewed in the video made reference to two key words: fear and respect.

Those words are found in Romans 13:7. As I prepared to write this article, it became clear that Davis's mission on earth transcended the expectation of most people. Davis sought to show that he loved his profession, but most of all, Davis loved the people who played the game.

There was definitely something special about the Oakland Raiders, in their black and silver. The contrast of those chosen colors symbolize the contrast of truth and falsity, as well as secular and sacred.

Isn't it interesting that there are several "named" games in the history of the Oakland Raiders and the names hint at something special occurring that is not fully understood by many observers? For example, do you remember the game named "Immaculate Reception"? Then there was one named "Holy Roller." A third was named "Sea of Hands."

It seems that the culture and history of the Raiders are enriched by unexplainable victories. Note also that Davis loved the "vertical game." The vertical direction is upward. It seems his focus was beyond the horizontal. He sought something above the ordinary, and often his team had extraordinary victories, sometimes in the last few moments of the game.

Davis loved the big play, the quick strike and the remarkable endings to the physical combat on the NFL playing field. He saw the game of football in a paramilitary way. One of his quotes was, "We're going to take what we want." He was definitely combative.

His combative nature caused him to be a very effective advocate and employer of those who others did not empower. Davis was a man who stood by his principles and pushed the boundaries of social interaction in America.

Matt Millen said that Davis was color blind. That's a good observation and it suggests that even in the human experience, Al Davis was color blind. He did not see color, he saw talent and gifts. He made use of those talents and gifts no matter what color they may have been packaged in.

Davis made history in so many ways. He had his own plan and he executed his plan to the very end of his life.  He observed several key concepts in the games of the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Intimidation, fear, speed and development were concepts that Davis synthesized and integrated into professional football.

There is no doubt about it. He pressed toward the American dream, and it became his reality. Once he made it, he was bold enough to get in the trenches, somewhat like a miliary man, and fight for others to attain their dreams.

Davis was feared during those numerous battles with the NFL. He is to be honored. He was a man to whom tribute, fear and honor is due.

We appreciate the documentary on Davis's life. You can view it at www.nfl.com.

Sources are listed below.

 
Romans 13:7 Hebrew Bible

לכן תנו לכל איש כחובתכם המס לאשר לו המס המכס לאשר לו המכס והמורא
לאשר לו המורא והכבוד לאשר לו הכבוד׃


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