The 10 most underrated players in Las Vegas Raiders history
By Brad Weiss
4. Underrated Raiders: Phil Villapiano, Linebacker
When it comes to Raiders linebackers, few are more decorated, beloved, and downright crazy as the great Phil Villapiano. During his time with the Silver and Black, Villapiano developed a reputation of coming up big in the biggest of situations, and none was more important than his play in Super Bowl XI.
It was Villapiano’s goal-line stuff and forced fumble that turned the Raiders/Vikings Super Bowl in favor of the Raiders early on, as the team was able to recover the ball and then march 90 yards down the field for the score. For Villapiano, that was just one in a long list of legendary plays, and games, and his stamp is certainly on the history of the game.
From 1973 through 1976, Villapiano was one of the best linebackers in the game, being named to four straight Pro Bowls. The 1971 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the punishing linebacker was a 2019 Senior Class finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but unfortunately, he is still waiting to get the call.