Former Raiders Star Ben Davidson Dead at 72

Ben Davidson, the hulking defensive end who starred for the Oakland Raiders back in the 1960s before he become a famous television pitch man, has passed away at the age of 72.



Davidson died Monday night. He had been getting treated for prostate cancer. Former Raiders coach John Madden first reported Mr. Davidson's death Tuesday on KCBS radio in San Francisco, California.


Davidson spent 11 years in professional football, starting out with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins in the NFL before he joined the Raiders in the AFL in 1964.



Davidson played in the second Super Bowl for Oakland after the 1967 season and then was on the team that lost the conference title game the next three seasons.


One of Davidson's most memorable plays came on Nov. 1, 1970, against Kansas City. The Raiders trailed 17-14 late in the fourth quarter when Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson ran for a first down to seemingly seal the win.

As Dawson was on the ground, Davidson dived into him with his helmet. In a rage, Chiefs wide receiver Otis Taylor jumped on Davidson and a brawl ensued.

Davidson didn't play football until going to East Los Angeles Community College. He went from there to the University of Washington, where he helped the Huskies win Rose Bowls in 1960 and '61.

He was then a fourth-round pick by the New York Giants in 1961. He played his rookie season with Green Bay, winning the NFL championship with the Packers in 1961.

He then spent two years in Washington before joining the Raiders in Davis' second season as coach in Oakland. He spent eight seasons with the Raiders. He was a second-team Associated Press All-AFL selection in 1965 and first-teamer in 1967.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy, and daughters Jan, Dana and Vicki. My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and the fans!!