The Las Vegas Raiders announced the death of former running back Clarence Davis on Thursday. There was only one problem: Davis is still alive.
The team was alerted that the 73-year-old was, in fact, not dead and removed the story from its website.
“The Raiders received notice of Clarence Davis’ passing but have found that information to be false,” the team said in a statement, via the Las Vegas Review Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore. “The Raiders extend our deepest apologies to the Davis family and the Raider Nation for the erroneous announcement.”
Davis is best remembered for his performance in the 1974 AFC Divisional round game against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins. He caught a desperation throw from quarterback Ken Stabler to give the Raiders a 28-26 comeback win in a play is referred to as the ‘Sea of Hands’.
In eight seasons for the then-Oakland Raiders, the former USC star rushed for 3,640 yards and 26 touchdowns in 89 games, while also catching 99 passes for 865 yards and two touchdowns.
Davis, a fourth round pick in the 1971 NFL Draft, was also an excellent return man, returning 79 punts and kicks for 2,140 yards.
In 12 playoff games, Davis rushed for 506 yards and two touchdowns, while hauling in 13 receptions and one touchdown. In Super Bowl 11 against the Minnesota Vikings, Davis rushed for 137 yards on 16 rushes in the Raiders’ 32-14 victory. It was their first Super Bowl championship.
Davis retired after the 1978 season.