1976 AFC Championship Game Ball. Oakland (Las Vegas) Raiders Pittsburgh Steelers

Description: See photos for details of the item. Please let me know if you have any questions or want more photos. This ball was purchased in 2001 from the Oakland raiders RaiderNation website and is being sold 22 years later. The ultimate Oakland (Las vegas) raider Collectible. 1976 Wilson nFL AFC Championship raiders football. This is an original ball that was given to the entire team. This is a very rare item and a one of a kind gift that you will not find anywhere else. The football is OLD. It is stamped AFC Champions, Dec 26 1976, Oakland 24 Pittsburgh 7. Official NFL football. The 1976 AFC Championship game was a fiercely fought contest that saw the Oakland Raiders triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers to advance to Super Bowl XI. Played on December 26, 1976, in Oakland, the game was significant for several reasons. The Steelers were the reigning Super Bowl champions, having won the big game in both the 1974 and 1975 seasons. With their "Steel Curtain" defense and a potent offense led by Terry Bradshaw, they were poised for a potential three-peat. However, the Raiders, under coach John Madden and quarterback Ken Stabler, had other plans. The Raiders had been stymied by the Steelers in previous playoff meetings, but 1976 was their year to shine. They came into the game with a 13-1 record in the regular season, showing dominance and determination to capture the title. Pittsburgh's chances were somewhat hampered due to injuries. Both Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, their star running backs, were out of the game, which severely limited their ground attack. The Raiders took full advantage of this. The game itself wasn't a high-scoring affair but was marked by Oakland's stout defense and efficient offensive play. With the home crowd behind them, the Raiders maintained control throughout and clinched the game with a 24-7 victory, sending them to Super Bowl XI, where they would go on to defeat the Minnesota Vikings. For the Raiders, it was sweet revenge against the Steelers and a pivotal moment in the franchise's history, marking the beginning of their ascent in the late 1970s as one of the NFL's premier teams. The 1976 AFC Championship win was due to the determination and spirit of that Oakland team, finally overcoming their rivals to claim a spot in the Super Bowl. Here's a list of notable players from that 1976 Oakland Raiders roster. 1. **Ken Stabler** (QB) - "The Snake" was the Raiders' star quarterback and leader of the offense.2. **Cliff Branch** (WR) - One of Stabler's favorite deep threats.3. **Fred Biletnikoff** (WR) - Super Bowl XI MVP.4. **Dave Casper** (TE) - "Ghost to the Post" was another key receiving target.5. **Mark van Eeghen** (RB) - Leading rusher for the Raiders.6. **Clarence Davis** (RB) 7. **Gene Upshaw** (G) - Hall of Fame guard.8. **Art Shell** (T) - Another Hall of Famer on the offensive line.9. **Jim Otto** (C) - The longtime center had retired by this season, but his legacy looms large.10. **John Matuszak** (DE) - "The Tooz" was an intimidating presence on defense.11. **Ted Hendricks** (LB) - "The Mad Stork" was a key player in the linebacking corps.12. **Phil Villapiano** (LB)13. **Willie Brown** (CB) - Hall of Famer who had a memorable interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl.14. **Jack Tatum** (S) - "The Assassin" was known for his hard-hitting style.15. **George Atkinson** (S)16. **Ray Guy** (P) - Considered by many as the greatest punter in NFL history.17. **Errol Mann** (K)18. **Otis Sistrunk** (DT) - Famous for the "University of Mars" introduction.19. **Mike Siani** (WR)20. **Pete Banaszak** (RB) The team was coached by the legendary John Madden, and together, they etched their names in the annals of NFL history. The 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers had a strong season but were defeated by the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship game. Notable players on the Steelers that year include: 1. **Terry Bradshaw** (QB) - The leader of the offense and a future Hall of Famer.2. **Franco Harris** (RB) - Another future Hall of Famer, Harris was essential to the Steelers' running game.3. **Rocky Bleier** (RB) - Harris' running mate in the backfield.4. **Lynn Swann** (WR) - A key receiver and future Hall of Famer.5. **John Stallworth** (WR) - Another important receiver who would eventually join Swann in the Hall of Fame.6. **Bennie Cunningham** (TE) 7. **Mike Webster** (C) - The anchor of the offensive line and a future Hall of Famer.8. **Sam Davis** (G)9. **Gerry Mullins** (G)10. **Jon Kolb** (T)11. **Gordon Gravelle** (T)12. **L.C. Greenwood** (DE) - Part of the famed "Steel Curtain" defense.13. **Joe Greene** (DT) - A centerpiece of the defense and a Hall of Famer.14. **Ernie Holmes** (DT) 15. **Dwight White** (DE)16. **Jack Ham** (LB) - A future Hall of Famer known for his excellent play at linebacker.17. **Jack Lambert** (LB) - Another key linebacker and future Hall of Famer.18. **Andy Russell** (LB) - The third standout linebacker of the group.19. **Mel Blount** (CB) - A key component of the secondary and a future Hall of Famer.20. **J.T. Thomas** (CB)21. **Mike Wagner** (S)22. **Glen Edwards** (S)23. **Roy Gerela** (K)24. **Bobby Walden** (P) The team was coached by the legendary Chuck Noll.

Price: 8740 USD

Location: Kansas City, Missouri

End Time: 2024-12-04T01:17:07.000Z

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