**Summary: John Vella, Super Bowl Champion Offensive Lineman, Passes Away at 74**
John Vella, a Super Bowl champion offensive lineman who played for the Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings, has passed away at the age of 74. The Raiders confirmed his death in a statement released on Wednesday.
### Who Was John Vella?
– **Who**: John Vella, a notable offensive lineman.
– **What**: Passed away at the age of 74.
– **When**: His death was announced on Wednesday.
– **Where**: Played for the Oakland Raiders and Minnesota Vikings in the NFL.
– **Why**: The cause of death has not been disclosed.
### Career Highlights
– Vella was a key player on the Raiders’ offensive line during the 1970s.
– He was a starter on the Raiders’ Super Bowl XI Championship team.
– Originally drafted in the second round in 1972 from USC, where he was a consensus All-American tackle in 1971.
– Played both guard and tackle, participating in 84 games with 48 starts over eight seasons with the Raiders.
– Concluded his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings in 1980.
### Legacy and Impact
– Vella was part of a formidable offensive line alongside legends like Art Shell and Gene Upshaw, protecting quarterback Ken Stabler.
– The Raiders achieved significant playoff victories, defeating the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1976 AFC playoffs before winning Super Bowl XI against the Minnesota Vikings with a score of 32-14.
– After retiring, he returned to the Oakland area to establish a business selling Raiders memorabilia and gear.
The Raiders organization expressed their condolences, stating, “The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with the Vella family at this time.”
### FAQs:
**What teams did John Vella play for in the NFL?**
John Vella played for the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings during his NFL career.
