John Vella, who spent eight seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Raiders, died on Wednesday, the team announced. 

He was 74.

The Raiders Family is saddened by the passing of John Vella, an integral part of the successful Raider offensive lines during the 1970s and a key player in the Super Bowl XI Championship victory for Oakland. Drafted in the second round in 1972 from USC, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American tackle in 1971, Vella brought both versatility and a fierce competitive spirit to the team. Over his eight seasons with the Silver and Black, he demonstrated his skills at both guard and tackle positions, participating in 84 games and making 48 starts before wrapping up his career with the Minnesota Vikings in 1980.

“The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with the Vella family at this time.”

Vella was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the draft in 1972 after playing college ball at USC. 

He went on to play in 92 games over the course of his NFL career, recording 48 starts. 

During the 1976 season, Vella started in 14 games for the then-Oakland Raiders and made three playoff starts as the team went on to beat the Vikings, 32-14, in Super Bowl XI. 

Vella played his final season in 1980, which was with the Vikings, where he made eight appearances.

Following his retirement, Vella got into the sports memorabilia industry, opening The Raiders Locker Room store in the Bay Area, which he later renamed Vella’s Locker Room to help settle a lawsuit with the NFL and team, which accused him of trademark violation.