Carol Davis, co-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, the Las Vegas Aces, and First Lady of Raider Nation, died Friday at 93 years old, her son, Mark Davis, announced Sunday.
Carol Davis married the late Al Davis in 1954 and took over the team with their son when Al died in 2011. Mark Davis lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch as Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium in her honor on Sunday, the Raiders said in a statement.
“Her strength and resilience, although not seen by the masses, were always on display to those who were fortunate to be in her presence. She was a strong woman who exuded a compassionate and loving side,” the team’s statement says, later adding, “If Al was the heart of the Raiders, Carol was the soul.”
Carol Davis was known for her toughness and confidence. Hall of Fame center Jim Otto once remarked that “Al Davis is a tough son of a gun. So is Mrs. Davis.” A 2009 column by this newspaper quipped that Al never met a Raider as tough as her.
“She’s an amazing lady, with stamina and grace,” Davis said of his wife in 2009. “She’s very intelligent and she’s matter of fact – she knows where she’s going and what she wants. She’s that kind of lady.”
In 1979, Carol Davis spent 23 days in a coma after suffering a heart attack and a stroke, but survived, went through rehabilitation and returned to a normal life. The following season, the Raiders won the Super Bowl.
A private memorial service is to be held in Oakland, the Raiders announced Sunday.
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