Las Vegas Raiders: 50 greatest players in franchise history

Not only is he a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end, but Dave Casper is also forever part of Raiders lore thanks to an unbelievable play he made. “Ghost to the Post” helped propel the Silver and Black to victory over the Baltimore Colts in the 1977 AFC playoffs. This 42-yard touchdown reception allowed the Raiders to force overtime to keep their season alive.

But Casper wasn’t just a friendly ghost, he was an incredible pass-catching tight end. Oakland used its No. 45 overall pick on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish standout in the 1974 NFL Draft. He was coming off a National Championship and an All-American nod with the Fighting Irish. Casper was just getting started as a star tight end, becoming the best player at the position in the 1970s.

He would spend part of eight seasons of his 11-year hall of fame career with the Silver and Black. From 1976 to 180, Casper would be named to the Pro Bowl and earn All-Pro first-team honors in each season. In 1976, the Raiders would win their first Super Bowl by defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI.

Casper would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. His Canton classmates include George Allen, Dan Hampton, Jim Kelly, and John Stallworth. Casper would retire with 378 receptions for 5,216 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns. He made the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1970s, as well as earned induction to the College Football Hall of Fame for his time at Notre Dame.