Phil Villapiano
 Phil Villapiano

"When you play for the Raiders you play to win and you play tough. It's not something the coaches teach or talk about. It's just there, like in the air. It's an attitude--you are going to hit people and smash them if you are a Raider."
- Phil Villapiano

Phil Villapiano played linebacker for the Oakland Raiders from 1971-1979, causing havoc against opponents, and he participated in some of the greatest games in Raider history. The four time Pro Bowl selection forced a fumble during Super Bowl XI, which helped the Raiders win the first of three Super Bowl titles.

Interview with Phil Villapiano

Q: When did you start playing football?

Phil Villapiano: I must have been about four, playing in the neighborhood with the older kids. They use to beat the hell out of me. It was great. It definitely had a long-term effect on me and my playing.

Q: How did you become a Raider?

Phil Villapiano: I was drafted in the second round out of Bowling Green . I actually met Al Davis at the Senior Bowl that year. I had played a good game, and he came up to me and shook my hand and told me that I had played well. I never heard from him again until I got drafted.

Q: After meeting Mr. Davis, did you think that you would get drafted by the Raiders?

Phil Villapiano: No, not at all. I didn't really think about it too much. I heard that Cleveland and a couple of other teams were looking at me, but I really had no idea.

Q: What is your greatest memory from playing with the Raiders?

Phil Villapiano: Winning the Super Bowl. As I get older, it becomes more and more of a highlight in my life. You become a member of an elite club. Out of all the people who played in the NFL, how many of them actually win it? Not that many if you think about it.

Q: Is there any one moment or play that stands out from your career?

Phil Villapiano: Covering Franco Harris on the Immaculate Reception. It was an unbelievable play. It was a fluke play man. I still think about it and all I do is just shake my head.

Q: Do you keep in contact with any of your former teammates?

Phil Villapiano: All the time. We get together all the time at different events and on our own. John Vella gives me a call from time to time. Ted Hendricks…hell yeah. I talk to all those guys.

Q: Did you have any nickname as a player?

Phil Villapiano: Foo.

Q: Where did that name come from?

Phil Villapiano: A teammate named Duane Benson. We were out drinking some beers one night and our eyes were getting pretty watery. After a while he couldn't say Phil, so he was calling me Foo. It was a great night.

Q: Do you still attend any Raider games?

Phil Villapiano: Oh yeah. I always do a couple of games a year. I live in New Jersey so I'll go to the Jets game this year in Jersey and I'll probably make it to Oakland for the Cleveland game. I'll see what else I can do.

Q: What are you doing now?

Phil Villapiano: I'm in the shipping lines. I've been doing this for 20 years. I basically sell container space for ships that are going across seas. Who would of ever thought me doing this for 20 years?

Q: Are there any messages you would like to pass along to the Raider fans?

Phil Villapiano: To the players; Win Baby Win. To the fans; I love you and stay crazy!