Carol Davis, widow of Al Davis and ‘First Lady of Raider Nation,’ dies at 93
Carol Davis, the widow of longtime Raiders owner Al Davis and the mother of current owner Mark Davis, has died at the age of 93.
The Raiders announced that Carol Davis, affectionately known as “The First Lady of Raider Nation,” passed away on Friday. In her honor, Mark Davis lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
Carol Sagal married Al Davis in 1954 and became an integral part of the Raiders organization after Al was hired as coach in 1963 and eventually became owner. Under Al Davis’ leadership, the Raiders secured three Super Bowl titles following the 1976, 1980, and 1983 seasons.
The team released a statement expressing their gratitude: “Carol provided unbridled support and unparalleled guidance to the Davis family and the Raiders organization for over 60 years. Her direct impact on the Greatness of the Raiders 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 the soul.”
Mark Davis, the couple’s only child born in 1955, took over control of the franchise after Al Davis died in 2011. Despite this, Carol retained a share of ownership and remained involved with the organization.
Though Carol Davis often played a behind-the-scenes role, she was present for significant moments in Raiders history. She attended the groundbreaking of Allegiant Stadium in 2017 and famously lit the Al Davis torch before the team’s first game in Las Vegas in 2020. That game was held without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s nobody that could have lit it other than her,” Mark Davis told ESPN at the time. “Because it’s really a tough time in the country, but also here in Nevada, we don’t want to seem that we’re celebrating or anything of that nature. But to have my mom light that torch means so much, and I think it will mean a lot for everybody in this valley, so I’m excited.”
In 2021, Carol Davis also presented former Raiders coach Tom Flores at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Carol endured a heart attack and stroke in 1979, which left her in a coma for more than three weeks. During that difficult time, Al Davis stepped away from the team to be by her side in the hospital. Thankfully, she eventually made a full recovery.
Her legacy remains deeply embedded in the Raiders organization and the hearts of Raider Nation.
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