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NFL Greatest Unsung Heroes In History of All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 5: Mike Davis #36 of the Los Angeles Raiders tackles quarterback Tony Eason #11 of the New England Patriots during the AFC Division playoff game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 5, 1986 in Los Angeles, California. The Patriots won 27-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 5: Mike Davis #36 of the Los Angeles Raiders tackles quarterback Tony Eason #11 of the New England Patriots during the AFC Division playoff game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 5, 1986 in Los Angeles, California. The Patriots won 27-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

Oakland Raiders

. S. Oakland Raiders. Mike Davis . 25. player. 28

Former Raiders players from the late 1970s and early 1980s had plenty to say about Mike Davis. The man affectionately knowns as “Mad Dog” was a giant for his day at 6’3 and quite the intimidator from the safety position. He was never the star of the defense but he was rarely out of position and a quality presence against the run.

The thing is his former teammates always loved to rib him about how bad his hands were. Hall of Fame guard Gene Upshaw once said, “He couldn’t catch a cold in Alaska barefooted.” For the most part that’s true. Davis only had 14 interceptions in his career. However, he saved three of them for the biggest moments of his career.

The one in 1980 is the most famous. Leading Cleveland in a bitterly cold divisional playoff game 14-12, the Raiders were backed up against their end zone. The Browns, having struggled kicking all day, decided to try one pass play for a touchdown. Davis read the play beautifully at cut in front of the ball to pick it off, ending the game.

Three years later in the AFC championship, he delivered two interceptions against Seattle that helped the Raiders to blow the game open, leading to an eventual 30-14 win. It can be said that two of the Raiders’ three titles may not have happened without Davis.

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