John Vella, who spent eight seasons within the NFL and gained a Tremendous Bowl with the Raiders, died on Wednesday, the staff introduced.
He was 74.
“The Raiders Household mourns the passing of John Vella, a standout on the dominant Raider offensive strains of the Nineteen Seventies and a starter on Oakland’s Tremendous Bowl XI Championship staff,” the staff mentioned in a press release. “Vella initially joined the Raiders as a second-round draft choice in 1972 out of USC, the place he earned consensus All-American honors as a sort out in 1971. A flexible performer and a ferocious competitor, Vella performed each guard and sort out, seeing motion in 84 video games with 48 begins in eight seasons with the Silver and Black. He completed his profession with Minnesota in 1980.
in opposition to the San Diego Chargers at San Diego Stadium on
Oct. 13, 1974, in San Diego, Calif. NFL
“The prayers of the whole Raider Nation are with the Vella household right now.”
Vella was chosen by the Raiders within the second spherical of the draft in 1972 after taking part in school ball at USC.
He went on to play in 92 video games over the course of his NFL profession, recording 48 begins.
Through the 1976 season, Vella began in 14 video games for the then-Oakland Raiders and made three playoff begins because the staff went on to beat the Vikings, 32-14, in Tremendous Bowl XI.
Vella performed his ultimate season in 1980, which was with the Vikings, the place he made eight appearances.
throughout a preseason recreation in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers
at Candlestick Park on Sept. 2, 1974 in San Francisco, Calif. Getty Photographs
Following his retirement, Vella bought into the sports activities memorabilia business, opening The Raiders Locker Room retailer within the Bay Space, which he later renamed Vella’s Locker Room to assist settle a lawsuit with the NFL and staff, which accused him of trademark violation.
