Ep.15. Phil Villapiano; Oakland Raiders legendary linebacker

Heroes and Icons podcast

Send us a text

Welcome! And thank you for joining us today on the Heroes and Icons podcast.

I am your host, Greg Randolph. Please find me on Twitter or the X as it’s called now at HeroesandIconspodcast (@GregHeroesIcons) / X (twitter.com) and on the web at Heroes and Icons podcast with Greg Randolph to get updates for great shows like this and others. If you’re enjoying the show please share it with a friend. Thank you in advance for doing that.

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.
In Phil's honor, please visit and support the Mercy Center. Thank you for your generosity!
Mercy Center NJ – Empower – Enrich – Educate
Donate – Mercy Center NJ

Photo credit: Topps Card Company