Carol Davis, “First Lady of the Ryder Nation” and co-owner, has died at the age of 93
Carroll Davis, co-owner of the Raiders and Aces, died Friday at age 93, the team announced Sunday.
Her son, Mark Davis, lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch at the Raiders’ home, Allegiant Stadium, in her honor on Sunday, a statement from the team said.
The team said a private ceremony will be held in Oakland, California, for Davis.
“Her strength and resilience, although unseen by fans, were always on display for those who were fortunate to have her. She was a strong woman whose compassionate and loving side exuded,” the team’s statement read. “Carroll has provided boundless support and unparalleled guidance to the Davis family and the Raiders organization for more than 60 years. Her direct impact on the Raiders’ greatness continues to be felt, cherished and honored, woven into the fabric of this historic franchise. If Al was the heart of the Raiders, then Carol was the soul.”
Davis, who has been called the “First Lady of Raider Nation,” married Al Davis in 1954 and retained a share of ownership in the NFL franchise after Al’s death in 2011, with Mark assuming control of the team.
Davis has been mainly behind the scenes, however, as she was present when the Raiders began construction on Allegiant Stadium in 2017 and lit the memorial torch before the Raiders’ first game in Las Vegas in 2020.
She was also in Canton, Ohio, when former Raiders coach Tom Flores was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“She is a wonderful lady, with stamina and grace.” Al Davis told the Mercury News IN 2009. “She’s very smart and she’s real – she knows where to go and what she wants. She’s that kind of lady.”
Plans for a public memorial for Davis will be announced at a later date.
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