Super Bowl Champion John Vella Dead at 74

John Vella, the former offensive lineman who helped the Oakland Raiders clinch victory in Super Bowl XI, has passed away at the age of 74. The Raiders confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement released on Wednesday.

"The Raiders Family mourns the passing of John Vella, a standout on the dominant Raider offensive lines of the 1970s and a starter on Oakland’s Super Bowl XI Championship team," the team declared. Vella joined the Raiders as a second-round draft pick in 1972 after earning consensus All-American honors at USC in 1971. Versatile and relentless, he played both guard and tackle positions during his NFL career, appearing in 84 games with 48 starts over eight seasons.

Vella’s Raiders journey culminated in 1976 when the team triumphed over the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC playoffs before steamrolling the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in the Super Bowl. Sharing the offensive line with NFL legends Art Shell and Gene Upshaw, Vella helped protect Ken Stabler while facilitating plays for star wide receivers Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch.

After retiring in 1980 following a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings, Vella returned to the Oakland area, where he channeled his passion for the Raiders into entrepreneurship. His store, John Vella’s Raider Locker Room, became a hub for fans seeking memorabilia and gear honoring the Silver and Black.

News of Vella’s passing has sparked mourning across Raider Nation and the broader NFL community, with fans expressing their condolences and gratitude for his contributions to one of football’s most iconic teams.