He won an NFL championship with the Raiders, winning Super Bowl XI.
[10] In 1970, he was part of USC's "all-black" backfield (the first one of its kind in Division I (NCAA) history), that included fullback Sam Cunningham and quarterback Jimmy Jones.
[11] Davis was one of the five USC African American starters (along with Sam Cunningham, Jimmy Jones, Charlie Weaver and Tody Smith), that played against an all-white University of Alabama football team, winning 42–21 in Birmingham on September 12, 1970.
This game was historically significant, because it played a key role in convincing the University of Alabama and its fan base to accelerate the integration of its football team.
[17] He played his entire career with the Raiders from 1971 to 1978, appearing in only two games in his final season after being placed on injured reserve subsequent to a knee operation.
[21] Davis, who had been plagued by a knee injury for three years[citation needed],[22] had runs of 20, 35,[23] 13, 18, and 16 yards[23],[citation needed] as part of a Raiders team that gained 429 yards, a Super Bowl record at the time.
[26] During the 1974 playoffs, the Raiders met the two-time defending Super Bowl Champion Miami Dolphins in the divisional round, winning the game in extraordinary fashion on a game ending catch by Davis.
Branch went to the ground to make the catch, but being untouched by Dolphin defenders, he popped upright and ran the remaining 27 yards to complete the play.
Davis, Miami defensive back Charlie Babb, and linebacker Mike Kolen all leaped for the ball at the same time and each got their hands on it.
This 28–26 victory, with a combined three touchdowns scored by both teams in the final 4:37, made this Raiders comeback one of the most unforgettable in Dolphins-Raiders history.