The Raiders’ history of inclusivity will come full circle Saturday when Jackson State plays Grambling State in the HBCU Classic at Allegiant Stadium.

Under Al Davis’ leadership, the Raiders were pioneers in promoting diversity. Going back to their days in the American Football League, more than 80 of their players came from Historically Black Colleges and Universities programs, including Hall of Famers Art Shell and Willie Brown. They were the first team in the modern era to hire an African-American head coach when Davis hired Shell in 1989.

With that history as the backdrop, Mark Davis, who took over as the Raiders’ owner from his late father in 2011, did not hesitate when team president Sandra Douglass-Morgan approached him with the idea of hosting an HBCU Classic.

“It’s going to be g

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