--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Al Davis has been the biggest influence…" description: "\"Al Davis has been the biggest influence in my professional football life. I mean, he was a guy that gave me an opportunity, one, to get into profession..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/john-madden-4704_age_al-davis-has-been-the-biggest-influence_2468506.png" --- # Al Davis has been the biggest influence in my professional… ![“Al Davis has been the biggest influence in my professional football life. I mean, he was a guy that gave me an opportunity, one, to get into professional football in 1967 as an assistant coach, and then at the age of 32, giving me the opportunity to be the head coach.” quote by John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/john-madden-4704_age_al-davis-has-been-the-biggest-influence_2468506.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/john-madden-4704_age_al-davis-has-been-the-biggest-influence_2468506.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/john-madden-4704_age_al-davis-has-been-the-biggest-influence_2468506.png) > “Al Davis has been the biggest influence in my professional football life. I mean, he was a guy that gave me an opportunity, one, to get into professional football in 1967 as an assistant coach, and then at the age of 32, giving me the opportunity to be the head coach.” [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Al Davis provided pivotal career opportunities, shaping a coach's professional path. **In simple terms:** Al Davis gave key career breaks. Key Takeaway Recognize mentors who open doors. Themes career mentorship opportunity football leadership Mood grateful inspirational Type reflective motivational When to use this quote - coaching hires - career advancement - team building Key Concepts sports history personal growth Questions to Reflect On - Who has been a decisive mentor in your life? - How do you pay forward such opportunities? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Al](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/al/) [Al Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/al-davis-434029/) [Assistant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assistant/) [Been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been/) [Biggest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biggest/) [Biggest influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biggest-influence/) [Coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coach/) [Coach Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coach-age-249808/) [Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/davis/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Football 1967](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football-1967-733364/) [Football Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football-life/) [Gave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave/) [Get](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy/) [He](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he/) [Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head/) [Head coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head-coach/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Professional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professional/) [Professional football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professional-football/) [Then](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/then/) ## Related quotes > [In Oakland, Al Davis was a genius. We had Ron Wolff there, too, and he was a genius. There was no room for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/in-oakland-al-davis-was-a-genius-we-had-ron-wolff-there-too-and-he/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [When you're a coach there's no age limit. It's the results that make you last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/didier-deschamps/when-you-re-a-coach-there-s-no-age-limit-it-s-the-results-that-make/) [Didier Deschamps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/didier-deschamps/) > [Something that is unique to coaching young people is there is such a range of talent, skill development and personality. And it's important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-moore/something-that-is-unique-to-coaching-young-people-is-there-is-such-a/) [Maya Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-moore/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I never really had a job. I was a football player, then a football coach, then a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/i-m-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world-i-never-really-had-a-job-i-was-a/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [Al Davis is the kind of guy who would steal your eyes and then try to convince you that you looked better without them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-rutigliano/al-davis-is-the-kind-of-guy-who-would-steal-your-eyes-and-then-try-to/) [Sam Rutigliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-rutigliano/) > [I learned a lot from Al Davis, and I got a lot better as a coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gruden/i-learned-a-lot-from-al-davis-and-i-got-a-lot-better-as-a-coach/) [Jon Gruden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gruden/) > [Al Davis was the first to know about my decision to retire, and Mom was second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-matuszak/al-davis-was-the-first-to-know-about-my-decision-to-retire-and-mom/) [John Matuszak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-matuszak/) > [You can't talk about the NFL without the Raiders, the three Super Bowl championships, what Al Davis meant to the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-woodson/you-can-t-talk-about-the-nfl-without-the-raiders-the-three-super-bowl/) [Charles Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-woodson/) > [Certain people, coaches, have a profound, positive outcome on somebody's life. And Al Davis had a profound, positive outcome on my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/certain-people-coaches-have-a-profound-positive-outcome-on-somebody-s/) [Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/) > [Al Davis blessed me, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamarcus-russell/al-davis-blessed-me-man/) [JaMarcus Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamarcus-russell/) > [Al is an extremely talented football guy. Few owners who interview can really talk about a defensive front, team travel and the salary cap.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-payton/al-is-an-extremely-talented-football-guy-few-owners-who-interview-can/) [Sean Payton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-payton/) > [We all know what Al Davis means to the NFL, what he means to the Oakland Raiders. He is the Oakland Raiders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-woodson/we-all-know-what-al-davis-means-to-the-nfl-what-he-means-to-the/) [Charles Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-woodson/) > [Al Davis is a legend and his contribution and influence on the game of football, the National Football League, and the Oakland Raiders has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-trask/al-davis-is-a-legend-and-his-contribution-and-influence-on-the-game/) [Amy Trask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-trask/) > [Only Al Davis wanted me. That's on record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamarcus-russell/only-al-davis-wanted-me-that-s-on-record/) [JaMarcus Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamarcus-russell/) ## More by John Madden > [The Dallas Cowboys have 2 types of plays in their playbook. Passing plays, and running plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/the-dallas-cowboys-have-2-types-of-plays-in-their-playbook-passing/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [They're on the right road, but there's a long way to go on concussions, not only in the NFL, but college football, high school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/they-re-on-the-right-road-but-there-s-a-long-way-to-go-on-concussions/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [If you think about it, I've never held a job in my life. I went from being an NFL player to a coach to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/if-you-think-about-it-i-ve-never-held-a-job-in-my-life-i-went-from/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [You got one guy going boom, one guy going whack, and one guy not getting in the endzone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/you-got-one-guy-going-boom-one-guy-going-whack-and-one-guy-not/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [Here's a guy who can use his arms and legs at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/here-s-a-guy-who-can-use-his-arms-and-legs-at-the-same-time/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [Both of my sons used to coach high school football. When they started, I'd say things I shouldn't have. So I learned my lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/both-of-my-sons-used-to-coach-high-school-football-when-they-started/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [If you see a defense team with dirt and mud on their backs they've had a bad day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/if-you-see-a-defense-team-with-dirt-and-mud-on-their-backs-they-ve/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [It's been the video game ever since I got out of coaching. Even when I was an announcer, fewer and fewer people remembered me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/it-s-been-the-video-game-ever-since-i-got-out-of-coaching-even-when-i/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/the-only-yardstick-for-success-our-society-has-is-being-a-champion-no/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [As I look back now on my coaching career, I think of my family, I think of the days that we spent together. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/as-i-look-back-now-on-my-coaching-career-i-think-of-my-family-i-think/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [Theyre either going to run the ball here or their going to pass it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/theyre-either-going-to-run-the-ball-here-or-their-going-to-pass-it/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [I get a certain feeling when I go to Lambeau field in Green Bay. Soldier field in Chicago is special to me. Those are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/i-get-a-certain-feeling-when-i-go-to-lambeau-field-in-green-bay/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/the-road-to-easy-street-goes-through-the-sewer/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [I'd like to work with kids in special education - younger kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/i-d-like-to-work-with-kids-in-special-education-younger-kids/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) > [Any defensive coordinator is worried about two things: a running quarterback and a deep ball. You know, don't get beat deep and don't let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-madden/any-defensive-coordinator-is-worried-about-two-things-a-running/) [John Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) [Explore all 107 John Madden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-madden/) ## More Age quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [Real people speak in my books about the main events of the age, such as the war, the Chernobyl disaster, and the downfall of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svetlana-alexievich/real-people-speak-in-my-books-about-the-main-events-of-the-age-such/) [Svetlana Alexievich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svetlana-alexievich/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Age is an accumulation of life and loss. 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