Al Davis-a legacy

noun \ˈle-gə-sē\

1 : a gift by will especially of money or other personal property : bequest

2 : something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past <the legacy of the ancient philosophers>

courtesy Websters Dictionary.

Al Davis, the owner of the Oakland Raiders, passed away October 8^th. The great proponent of the downfield passing game and the original fantasy owner is beloved by the legion of fanatics known as the Raider nation. Davis leaves a legacy and tradition defined as simply “Just Win Baby!” It has been said that Davis lived and breathed football and his passion for the game was unequalled. He is known as one of the most hands-on owners in the league, active in the day-to-day operations of the team – sometimes to a fault. But Al Davis has left a legacy on the sport of football that will never be forgotten.

Davis was a major player in the integration of the NFL on the non-player side of the game. He hired the first African-American head coach and the first female chief executive. Davis also hired the second Latino head coach and as an owner, declined to allow his teams to play in racially divided cities. Al Davis left a legacy.

Davis is perhaps the original fantasy football owner, as he developed a habit of drafting anyone with a pulse and the ability to run a 4.3 second 40 yard dash time. Davis made a habit of drafting or signing players with amazing individual abilities, sometimes with little regard for the team concept. Some personnel moves were colossal flops (not naming names ---Todd Marinovich and JaMarcus Russell), while others were unexpected, amazing successes (Jim Plunkett, Bo Jackson, Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott to name a few). Al Davis left a legacy.

Davis’ legacy will last for generations to come in the realm of the National Football League. How does that legacy last eternally? Only God knows for sure. While some people live and breathe football as a way of life, football is only a part of life. The lasting legacy for Davis will truly be seen when his only son takes over the team. In a life dedicated to football, Davis’ most important roles in life were as a husband and father. It is through those relationships that his true lasting legacy will be seen.

I say that, not to diminish who Al Davis was. I have no knowledge, either pro or con as to his abilities or passions away from the football field. What I do know is that God has given men a special responsibility when it comes to leading a family and raising a child. God designed man to be the spiritual leader in the home and gave man the responsibility to prepare children to live in life in a Godly way. The true legacy of a man will come two or three generations from now, when the seeds that he planted in his children have been able to mature and grow and be passed on.

As you look to your legacy, first ask yourself “What legacy was I given and how have I let it affect me?” If your inheritance was a positive foundation, then continue to build on that and don’t stray from it. If your inheritance, like so many in our generation, is one of a broken or abusive home, then now is your time to change your course. Your inherited legacy does not define who you are or who you have to be; it serves only as a starting point to grow from. Your legacy comes as you decide to break the cycles that may have plagued your family for generations.

If you’re not sure of what your legacy is or what it should be, I humbly submit that you spend time in prayer and in the Word of God to learn what God’s plan is for your life. God created us for so much more than we limit ourselves to, so don’t let the world dictate the legacy you will leave. Allow God to speak to you and through you so your legacy will be a positive foundation for the next generation.

As you look to your legacy, first ask yourself “What legacy was I given and how have I let it affect me?” If your inheritance was a positive foundation, then continue to build on that and don’t stray from it. If your inheritance, like so many in our generation, is one of a broken or abusive home, then now is your time to change your course. Your inherited legacy does not define who you are or who you have to be; it serves only as a starting point to grow from. Your legacy comes as you decide to break the cycles that may have plagued your family for generations.

If you’re not sure of what your legacy is or what it should be, I humbly submit that you spend time in prayer and in the Word of God to learn what God’s plan is for your life. God created us for so much more than we limit ourselves to, so don’t let the world dictate the legacy you will leave. Allow God to speak to you and through you so your legacy will be a positive foundation for the next generation.