Former Raiders defensive lineman Bill Pickel will light the Al Davis Memorial Torch prior to kickoff of Monday's Las Vegas Raiders-Atlanta Falcons game.
Pickel began his football career with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1983 when he was selected by Al Davis in the second round of the NFL Draft. He was known for his distinctive four-point stance, which set him apart from other defensive tackles and was part of a top-tier defensive line which included Hall of Famer Howie Long and Raiders all-time sack leader Greg Townsend.
The lineman was a member of the Raiders' Super Bowl XVIII winning team and went on to play in 121 games for the Silver and Black, in which he recorded 53 sacks and seven fumble recoveries across eight seasons. He was named a First-Team All-Pro in 1986 and still ranks fifth on the franchise all-time sacks list.
Pickel is the latest of a distinguished list that have been bestowed the honor, beginning with the late John Madden, who was the first to light the torch on October 18, 2011. The First Lady of Raider Nation, Mrs. Carol Davis, was the first to light the Al Davis Memorial Torch honoring her late husband in Las Vegas prior to the Raiders' inaugural contest at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020.
Since the tradition began in 2011 in Oakland, many Raiders Alumni, celebrities and fans have had the privilege to light the Torch before each home game. The Al Davis Memorial Torch is a tribute to Mr. Davis' legacy as the Raiders' longtime owner, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, AFL Coach of the Year, AFL Commissioner, and the architect of the Raiders' Commitment to Excellence in recognition of Mr. Davis' enduring vision that "the fire that burns the brightest in the Raiders' organization is the will to win."
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