Nicknamed “The Ghost” after the cartoon character, Dave Casper played seven seasons for the Oakland Raiders. He established himself as one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers while playing tight end, a blocking position in most offenses. Although Casper was a fine blocker, he was more famous for his “Ghost To The Post” pass patterns. He was selected to play in five Pro Bowls and was a member of the Raiders Super Bowl XI Championship Team of 1977. In that game, he scored the first touchdown on a pass from Ken Stabler in the 32-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He was also a key participant in the Raiders’ infamous “Holy Roller” play against San Diego in 1978. Trailing 20 to 14 with ten seconds left to play, first Stabler, then running back Pete Banaszek, fumbled the ball forward before Casper propelled it into the end zone and fell on it for the winning touchdown. Predictably enough, this event provoked a hasty rule change. But The Ghost’s fame lay in catching the ball, not nudging it forward on the ground.

Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

Plaque location: SFO Gate 87