Overview

• John Vella, a key member of the Oakland Raiders' Super Bowl XI-winning team, has passed away at the age of 74, as confirmed by the team.
• Drafted in 1972 out of USC, where he was an All-American, Vella played eight seasons with the Raiders before finishing his career with the Minnesota Vikings in 1980.
• Vella was instrumental in the Raiders' 32-14 victory over the Vikings in Super Bowl XI, anchoring the offensive line that allowed only one sack in the championship game.
• After retiring, he ran a sports memorabilia business, maintaining strong ties with the Raiders community and earning admiration for his accessibility and kindness toward fans.
• The Raiders and the NFL community continue to mourn his loss, with tributes highlighting his fierce competitiveness on the field and his generosity off it.