Raiders Super Bowl champion John Vella has died at the age of 74, the team announced on Wednesday.
Vella, an offensive lineman, was a starter on the Raiders squad which won Super Bowl XI in 1977 over the Vikings.
He played most of his career with the Raiders, suiting up in 84 games for the franchise from 1972 to 1079, and serving as a starter during the team’s Super Bowl run.
He later played one final season with the Vikings in 1980.
In a statement posted to social media, the Raiders called Vella a ‘standout on the dominant Raider offensive lines of the 1970s.’
‘The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with the Vella family at this time.’
John Vella played most of his career with the Raiders and won Super Bowl XI with the team
Vella is seen signing an autograph for a fan in 2015 while the Raiders played the Ravebs
The Raiders did not mention a cause of death.
More to follow
