The Raiders have sadly announced the passing of John Vella, a former offensive lineman who spent eight seasons in the NFL and was part of the Raiders’ victorious Super Bowl team. Vella, who was 74 years old, left a lasting legacy on the field.
Details surrounding the cause of his death haven’t been disclosed.
In a heartfelt statement, the team expressed their condolences: “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 prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with the Vella family at this time.”
Vella’s journey with the Raiders began when they picked him in the second round of the 1972 draft from Southern Cal. Over his career, he played in 92 games, starting in 48 of them, predominantly with the Raiders. He wrapped up his professional play with a stint in Minnesota in 1980.
The 1976 season was a standout for Vella, as he started in 14 games at right tackle and participated in three postseason games, contributing significantly to the Raiders’ 32-14 win over the Vikings in Super Bowl XI.
