Back in 2013, John Vella put it bluntly: “I knew I was going to get in a fight that day.” He was talking about waking up on a Raiders–Steelers game day in the ’70s. That era was a warzone on the field. And Vella was one of the guys in the trenches. Or how DK Pittsburgh Sports’ Christ Carter described him… An amazing RT.
Fast forward to today—Sin City is a different world. The Raiders are rebuilding under Tom Brady’s vision. But Vella is no longer here to see it. The former Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman has passed away at 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’ statement read.
No cause of death was given, but the impact of his legacy? That’s not up for debate. Vella was a linchpin of the rough-and-tumble, take-no-prisoners Raiders of the ’70s, a player who fit right into John Madden’s hard-nosed vision for the team.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 2, 2025
Drafted in the second round out of USC in 1972, Vella was an instant fit in the Silver and Black. He played in 92 career games, starting 48 of them, primarily at right tackle. His biggest moment? The 1976 season, when he started 14 games and held down the line during the Raiders’ Super Bowl XI run.
Meanwhile, that year, he and his fellow linemen kept Ken Stabler clean, allowing just one sack in the championship game against the fearsome Purple People Eaters of Minnesota. Behind their blocking, Clarence Davis ran wild for 137 yards in a dominant 32-14 victory.
But what made Vella, a player with a cutting edge. He embodied the Raiders’ old-school ethos—gritty, relentless, unbreakable. When his playing days ended in 1980 with a brief stint in Minnesota, he remained connected to the game and his former team. Even in retirement, he was a part of the Raider fabric, a familiar face in alumni circles, always carrying that same fire he had on the field.
Now, as the Raiders push forward in a new era—new city, new leadership, new faces—it’s impossible to ignore the legacy of the men who built the foundation. Vella was one of those men. And though he won’t be around to see where this next chapter leads, Las Vegas isn’t forgetting his contributions to Raider Nation.
Sin City lost its ‘Happy Fella’
John Vella. Very common name. Especially for the guy who was sweet killer for his presence and the role he played. Imagine a Happy Fella with a mean streak on the field. Phil Villapiano once joked in America’s Game: 1976 Oakland Raiders, “Don’t upset Happy Fella, ‘cause he will tear your head off!” And yet, off the field? Fans knew a different side of him.
So, of course, as the news of his passing start reaching the depths of the internet, fans pen tributes in his name. For his honor. “He was such a nice guy. He owned a sports store in Dublin, CA. I was in there one time, and he let me try on his Super Bowl ring,” one fan recalled. That’s who Vella was.
A guy who battled in the trenches against the NFL’s toughest defenses but had no problem letting a fan experience what it felt like to be a champion. Not every player stays connected with the community after their playing days, but Vella did, running John Vella’s Raider Locker Room for years, making sure fans could rep the Silver and Black with pride.
For many, Vella wasn’t just a former player. Oh, no! He was a familiar face, a travel buddy, even a friend. Because how else would he be the ‘Nice Guy’ or the ‘Happy Fella’? On that note, another comment read: “Such a nice man. We went on a few of the away game trips he organized, always first class. RIP John.” It wasn’t just about selling Raiders gear; it was about keeping the Raider spirit alive. Whether it was arranging trips for fans or swapping stories about the glory days, Vella made sure the connection between players and fans never faded.
“Sad to hear. My wife and I had a great time on one of his ‘Locker Room Tour’ trips. Stayed with the team in Arizona—CWood’s rookie year.” To put it simply, the man knew how to bring people together. So, if anyone, it’s Vella who deserves the Raiders’ salute.
“Raider Nation Salute,” wrote another fan, keeping it short but full of meaning. Because in the end, that’s what Vella was—a Raider through and through. Rest easy, Happy Fella. Our prayers are with his family and friends.
The post “RIP”: Tom Brady’s Raiders Join NFL Community to Mourn Loss of Super Bowl Champ Who Passed Away at 74 appeared first on EssentiallySports.
