In the fourth round of the 1977 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected guard Mickey Marvin from the University of Tennessee. Mr. Marvin was so dominate that by 1978 he had supplanted former starter George Buehler as the starting right guard assigned to protecting Ken Stabler. He spent 11 years with the Raiders, playing in 120 games and making 108 starts. In 1980, he started all 16 regular season games and all four postseason games, helping guide Oakland to their second Super Bowl title since 1976. Two years later he helped pave the way for Marcus Allen to win rookie of the year honors.
In 1983, Marvin anchored an offensive line which led Los Angeles to a 12-4 regular season record and two dominating playoff wins enroute to Super Bowl XVIII. On the world’s biggest stage, Marvin made several key blocks that spang Marcus Allen to a then Super Bowl record 191 yards rushing.
With 7:06 left in the third quarter, Marvin threw an spectacular seal block which opened the door for Marcus Allen to score his first touchdown of the game and this key moment gave Los Angeles a 28-9 lead. In the fourth quarter Marvin led the way for Marcus on another running play that is forever ingrained in every Raider fans head as “17 Bob Trey O”. The play called for Marvin to pull from his right guard position and lead block for Marcus Allen on the far left side of the Raiders offensive line. The Redskins nearly snuffed out the play but Allen improvised and when it was all over he had raced 74 yards for the game deciding touchdown.
Marvin continued to play for the Raiders until he retired after the 1987 season. He then spent the next 28 years working for the team as a scout until his health forced him to retire after the 2015 season.
A few years back he was diagnosed with ALS, a disease commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”. Marvin spoke publicly about his disease several times in various media outlets before succumbing to it on March 6, 2017.
Following his death, twitter exploded with heartfelt condolences for Raider Nation’s immense loss.
Current Raider Jon Condo, who was scouted by Marvin had this to say:
Saddened to hear Mickey Marvin lost his battle with ALS. He was a Raider through and through. Thoughts & prayers to his family/friends.
— Jon Condo (@JonCondo) March 7, 2021
J.T. “The Brick” wrote:
RIP to #Raiders legend Mickey Marvin. A true Raider, man of faith & part of 2 Super Bowl Championship teams. Also a great scout.
— JT The Brick (@JTTheBrick) March 6, 2021
According to the University of Tennessee website, Marvin’s funeral will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home (Hendersonville, North Carolina) and a funeral date and time has not been announced yet as of this writing.
Facts about Mickey Marvin’s career
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Only 50 players have played in more games as a Raider. Marvin was a part of the Raiders organization for 39 years.
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Marvin played in 13 playoff games including the “Ghost to the Post” and “Red Right 88”. The Raiders went 9-4 in those games.
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In Super Bowl XV he helped the Raiders gain rush for a 117 yards and pass for 261 yards. Quarterback Jim Plunkett earned the MVP by throwing for 3 touchdowns and the Raiders won 27-10.
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In the 1983 AFC Championship Game against Seattle, Marvin helped the Raiders rush for 205 yards and pass for 209 yards. Marcus Allen had 154 of those yards.
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In Super Bowl XVIII he helped the Los Angeles Raiders rush for a 231 yards and pass for 172 yards in a 38-7 rout of the Washington Redskins.
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Marvin did not surrender a sack in either of his Super Bowl appearances.
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In college he attended the University of Tennessee, becoming a four-year letterman for the Vols from 1973-76. He earned Second Team UPI All-America honors in 1975 and garnered UPI First Team All-SEC honors from 1974-76. Marvin played on UT’s 1974 Liberty Bowl champion team. He played in the East-West Shrine Game in 1977.