Former Super Bowl Champion Dead at 74
The football world is mourning the death of a former Super Bowl champion who passed away this week.
John Vella, a stalwart on the offensive line for the then-Oakland Raiders whom he played with from 1972-79 before finishing his career with the Minnesota Vikings, passed away this week. He was 74 years old.
"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 Raiders announced in a statement on social media. "The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with the Vella family at this time."
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 2, 2025
Vella was a high school standout at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA, before eventually taking his talents to USC. While with the Trojans he starred on the football field and the baseball diamond where he helped the team win the College World Series in 1970.
After earning All-American honors on the football field in 1971, Vella eventually joined the Raiders as a second-round draft selection in 1972 - No. 43 overall. As a starter for the team, he helped the team to a title with Super Bowl XI over the team he finished his career with.
The versatile offensive lineman played both guard and tackle, seeing action in 84 games with 48 starts in eight seasons with the Silver and Black. He finished his career with Minnesota in 1980.
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