Ep.15. Phil Villapiano; Oakland Raiders legendary linebacker

Heroes and Icons podcast

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We have a very special guest today. If you are a football fan, especially of the NFL and the Oakland Raiders, this gentleman needs no introduction. He was drafted by the Raiders in 1971 out of Bowling Green State after a sterling performance in the Senior Bowl and was the 1971 AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was involved in one of the most famous plays in sports and NFL history, the Immaculate Reception play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1972 AFC Playoffs. He was also in the nostalgic Sea of Hands game against the Miami Dolphins in the 1974 AFC Playoffs. He was a Super Bowl winner in Super Bowl XI, in which he made a momentum-changing goal -line tackle that forced a Minnesota Vikings fumble recovered by the Raiders, who handily defeated the Vikings 32-14. One of the fastest linebackers of his era, known for his big playmaking ability and coverage skills, he made 5 Pro Bowls over his 13 NFL seasons with Oakland from 1971 to 1979 and then Buffalo from 1980 to 1983. After his football playing days were done he has enjoyed a very successful career in the logistics business. In 2018, he was inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame. In 2019 he was a Senior Class candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Photo credit: Topps Card Company