There’s been some exceptional talent in the NFL through the years. Especially iconic are the “bad boys” of the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders. The team’s successes have been plentiful, with many trophies to their name. They’ve even won the Super Bowl three times. It’s no surprise, then, that they have some of the best talent out there.
Before you head off to do some NFL Betting, here are some of the best Las Vegas Raiders players throughout history to look back on.
Greatest Las Vegas Raiders Players Of All Time
Jim Otto
It’s impossible to talk about the great talent of the Las Vegas Raiders without at least mentioning Jim Otto. He’s a legend, and it’s likely the team wouldn’t be where it is today without them. His attendance was impeccable; he missed no games in 15 years. Since he managed to get almost 40 surgeries thanks to injuries sustained in the game, this is something of a surprise. He even almost died once for a game and his team.
At every game, this man gives it his best, and it truly shows. Otto is a 13-time All-Pro player and is perhaps the best center in the NFL. Ever. “00” is a legend, and we’re thrilled to have seen him play in the NFL for as long as we did. His exceptional career deserves infinite praise.
Art Shell
When it comes to offensive players, Art Shell is definitely one of the best ones in the NFL. He began his career on special teams for two seasons and then started as an offensive left tackle for the raiders on the third. It didn’t take long for him to gain a reputation as one of the most talented linemen in the game. He was great at blocking running plays.
Shell ended up playing in eight Pro Bowls and eventually ended up being the head coach of the Raiders for six straight seasons. He even managed to stop Jim Marshall from changing the game in Super Bowl XI.
Willie Brown
If you’ve ever watched the NFL or been interested in its history, we can bet that you’ve heard about Willie Brown. This legend of a player spent a number of years playing for Denver before making the big move to the Raiders in 1967. For 10 years, he was the defensive captain and was a beast when it came to interceptions. He ultimately ended up retiring in 1978 and is now in the Hall of Fame, where he has been since 1984. He was one of the key shutdown corners for the team at the time and was named to five AFL All Star Games and more.
Gene Upshaw
Gene Upshaw was one of the best left guards in the NFL. He’s a record-breaking player, managing to play in the Super Bowl in three separate decades. Thanks to Upshaw, the Raiders ended up having one of the best streaks during the 1970s. He was a pro bowler six times and a Super Bowl champion twice. Upshaw was also once the head of the NFL Players Association. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1987 after an impressive career and plenty of accolades.
Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler, also known as “The Snake,” was an impressive clutch quarterback. His passes were impeccable and precise. This was something that he was known for, as were his drives from behind. He also had a fantastic, long pass.
Stabler won AFC Player of the Year on two separate occasions, in 1974 and 1976. He was even the passing champion for the NFL in 1976. His last few years of his career were not overly impressive, which is why he didn’t make it into the Hall of Fame for a long time, but he was something to see during his years with the Raiders before he switched teams.
Howie Long
If you were the opposition, you definitely didn’t want to see Howie Long coming towards you. Long was a strong and fast player, making him someone you did not want to mess with. He managed to collect 91.5 sacks during his time playing the game, with a particularly impressive year in 1983, when he had a record 13 sacks in total. He was instrumental in the team’s dominance over Washington in the Super Bowl that same year.
Long eventually ended up retiring in 1993, but not before making a big name for himself. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2000, which was definitely well deserved. He was even named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1985. His career was impressive; we’re just sad that it wasn’t a little longer.
Conclusion
So many players have entered the NFL through the years. All of the teams in the NFL have had players that have stood out in history, but there are so many for the Las Vegas Raiders that it’s hard to keep track. All we can say is that we hope to see more talent of this caliber in the coming years, and that the Raiders reign supreme in the Super Bowl once more.
*Top Photo: Sports Illustrated/Raiders