John Vella, a key member of the Raiders’ offensive line during the 1970s and a starter in the team’s Super Bowl XI victory over the Minnesota Vikings, has died at 74, according to a team statement. “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,” said the team Wednesday. “The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with the Vella family at this time.” No cause of death was given in Vella’s death.

An All-American at USC, Vella was drafted as a second round pick by the Raiders in 1972 and played offensive guard and tackle in 84 games over eight seasons with the team. Standing 6-foot-4, Vella was considered instrumental in the Raiders’ 32-14 victory over the Vikings at the 1977 Super Bowl. He played a ninth and final NFL season for the Vikings in 1980 before going into the sports memorabilia business, opening The Raiders Locker Room merchandise store in San Francisco. In 2003 he settled a lawsuit with the NFL and the Raiders, who had accused him of violating trademarks owned by the team.