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Carol Davis, the widow of former 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 said in an announcement Sunday. His son lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in his honor.
“Carol provided unbridled 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 greatness of the Raiders continues to be felt, appreciated and honored, and woven into the fabric of this historic franchise. If Al was the heart of the Raiders, Carol was the soul.”
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Oakland Raiders principal owner Al Davis and his wife Carol are seen holding a trophy on January 3, 1964 in Oakland, California. (Chris Kjobech/The Oakland Tribune)
Al Davis married Carol Sagal in 1954 and they became synonymous with Raiders football since the former was hired as coach in 1963 by the franchise. They eventually took ownership of 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 eventually took control of the franchise when his father died in 2011. Carol Davis retained a share of ownership of the Raiders.
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Carol Davis generally did not have a front-facing role with the team, but she was present at the opening at Allegiant Stadium in 2017 when the Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas.
During the team’s inaugural season in their new city, Carol Davis was on hand to light the torch dedicated to her late husband before the team’s first home game in 2020. There were no fans present 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 also hosted former Raiders head coach Tom Flores when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
“There’s no one who could have lit it other than her,” 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 it to look like we’re celebrating or anything. But for my mom to light that torch means a lot, and I think it’s going to mean a lot to everyone in this valley, so I’m excited.”
The Raiders announced that a private service will be held in Oakland, California, with plans for a celebration of life at a future 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/Sports Image)
“Mrs. Davis has ascended to the heavens to take her rightful seat on the Throne of Greatness alongside her husband Al, both cloaked in Cloaks of Immortality,” the team said in a statement.
