John Vella, an offensive lineman who started for the Super Bowl XI-winning Oakland Raiders, has passed away at the age of 74, the team announced on Wednesday.
“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 said in a statement. “The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with the Vella family at this time.”
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 2, 2025
Vella was selected by the Raiders in the second round in the 1972 Draft, coming off of an All-American season at USC in 1971.