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Carol Davis, the widow of longtime Las Vegas Raiders owner Al Davis and mother of current owner Mark Davis, has died at age 93.
Carol Davis, affectionately known as “The First Lady of Raider Nation,” died Friday, the team announced in a statement Sunday. His son lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in his honor.
“Carol has provided unwavering support and unparalleled guidance to the Davis family and the Raiders organization for more than 60 years,” the team said in a statement. “His direct impact on the Raiders’ greatness continues to be felt, cherished and honored, and is woven into the fabric of this historic franchise. If Al was the heart of the Raiders, Carol was its soul.”
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Oakland Raiders principal owner Al Davis and his wife Carol hold a trophy on January 3, 1964, in Oakland, California. (Chris Kjobech/The Oakland Tribune)
Al Davis married Carol Sagal in 1954, and they have become synonymous with Raiders football since the former was hired as coach in 1963 by the franchise. They eventually owned the team, and the Raiders won three Super Bowls – in 1976, 1980 and 1983 – under Davis’ leadership.
Mark Davis was the couple’s only child, born in 1955, and he eventually took control of the franchise upon his father’s death in 2011. Carol Davis retained some ownership of the Raiders.
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Carol Davis did not typically have a prominent role on the team, but she was present during the groundbreaking at Allegiant Stadium in 2017 as the Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas.
During the team’s inaugural season in its new city, Carol Davis was on hand to light the torch dedicated to her late husband before the team’s first home game of 2020. No fans were in attendance at the game due to COVID-19 restrictions.
FILE – Lights illuminate the Al Davis Memorial Torch before an NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari, file)
Carol Davis was also the presenter for former Raiders head coach Tom Flores as he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
“No one but her could have lit it,” Mark Davis told ESPN during the 2020 season. “Because it’s a really tough time in the country, but also here in Nevada, we don’t want to look like we’re partying or anything like that. But for my mom to light that torch means so much, and I think it’ll mean a lot to everyone in this valley, so I’m excited.”
The Raiders announced that a private service would be held in Oakland, California, with plans for a celebration of life at a later date.
Carol Davis poses with the Hall of Fame bust of her late husband and Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis (not pictured) during halftime of the game against the Denver Broncos at O.co Coliseum on December 6, 2012. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sports)
“Ms. Davis has ascended to heaven to take her rightful place on the Throne of Greatness alongside her husband Al, both enveloped in cloaks of immortality,” the team said in a statement.
