RIP Ben Davidson

Perhaps the original renegade Raider.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_20999794/long-time-raiders-defense-end-ben-davidson-dies

 

RIP to a fantastic, fearsome force.

And here's the NYT NYT's AP obit:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/04/sports/football/ben-davidson-defensive-end-dies-at-72.html


Edited to fix glaring error. :-\

 

Or, in all fairness, the Associated Press obit.

 

While the obit mentions his brief dabble in acting, I'll always remember that he was on the very short-lived "Ball Four" TV series (I think it lasted four episodes) in about 1976 -- which was about a year after I read the book. Davidson played a bug catcher modeled I think as a cross between Jim Pagliaroni and Jerry McNertney. His character's name was Rhino. Because of the book I so looked forward to the TV show, but it was really awful.

And while looking up that show tonight I discovered something I never would have guessed: The opening theme song to that show was done by Harry Chapin.

 

Oops. Sorry.

 

There are plenty of photos of Davidson abusing Joe Namath. This one is my favorite.

RIP Big Ben.

I did not know - played a bouncer in "Behind the Green Door."

 

Never heard of it. What was the plot?

 

I'll always remember him as a regular on the greatest fake sport show ever.

 

Bouton wrote in Ball Five (a 10-year anniversary bonus-chapter followup) that Davidson's character was based on pitcher Gene Brabender. Bouton even suggested Brabender try out for the role, which he did, but didn't get it because he didn't seem as large and fearsome on the stage.

 

I'll never forget that late hit on Len Dawson, which triggered an all-out brawl.

 

far from the original, but damn, he sure did it well.

 

Yeah. IIRC, it was Otis Taylor who first came in swinging. RIP.