Former Raiders OL John Vella dies at 74

Field Level Media|published: Wed 2nd April, 15:53 2025

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs

Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of Las Vegas Raiders helmets against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

John Vella, an offensive lineman who played eight seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders, has died aged 74.

The Raiders announced his passing on social media. No cause of death was given.

"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 team said in a statement. "The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with the Vella family at this time."

pic.twitter.com/Uxiq3foKOl
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 2, 2025

The Raiders selected Vella in the second round of the 1972 draft out of Southern Cal. He played in 92 career games (48 starts), all but eight of those games coming with the Raiders. He finished out his career in Minnesota in 1980.

Vella started 14 games at right tackle during the 1976 season, culminating with three starts in the postseason as the Raiders defeated the Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl XI.

--Field Level Media