Countdown to 2020: Best Raiders player to wear No. 75 all-time

With 75 days until the opening game of 2020, we continue the count down with the best Raiders player at every jersey number. Today we focus on No. 75.

With the season a few months away, we take a look at the best player to wear the jersey number of the number of days left before the opener on September 13, 2020 against the Carolina Panthers. That game will kick off the new era of Raiders football.

Today we continue the series with No. 75.

Much like the number 76, the number 75 in Silver and Black very clearly belongs to one player and one player only. If the Raiders were in the business of retiring numbers then 75 would be close to the top of the list. Aside from the obvious, there is one honorable mention who wore the 75 jersey for seven years of a solid career.

John Vella was a member of the Oakland Raiders from 1972-79 after being drafted 43rd overall out of the University of Southern California. The California native did not have to go far to play his college and professional ball as he played the majority of his career on the West Coast.

Over seven years with the Raiders, Vella started 48 games and was the starting RT on the 1976 Super Bowl-winning squad.  He struggled with injuries after the 1976 season and was never quite the same player but he will always be remembered for his contribution to the Raiders’ first Super Bowl.

Now on to the real honoree today.