Dave Casper The Legend of the Ghost

February 2, 1952, in Bemidji, Minnesota, Dave Casper carved out a Hall of Fame career as a dominant tight end in professional football.  

College Career:

Dave Casper was a versatile athlete at the University of Notre Dame from 1971 to 1973, playing four different positions. He earned Honorable Mention All-America honors as an offensive tackle in 1972. Switching to tight end for his senior year in 1973, he became a consensus All-American and was named the Offensive MVP for the undefeated National Championship-winning Fighting Irish. Casper recorded 21 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns during his Notre Dame career. He graduated in 1974 with a degree in economics and was an Academic All-American. He was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.  

Road to the Pro Game:

Casper was selected in the second round (45th overall) of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. After a couple of seasons with limited receiving opportunities, he emerged as a premier tight end. He played primarily for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1974-1980, 1984), but also had stints with the Houston Oilers (1980-1983) and the Minnesota Vikings (1983).  

Football Legacy:

Nicknamed "The Ghost," Dave Casper is considered one of the finest tight ends of his era. Known for his exceptional blocking and receiving abilities, he was a crucial component of the Oakland Raiders' offensive success, including their victory in Super Bowl XI. His pivotal plays, such as the "Ghost to the Post" in the 1977 playoffs, are legendary. Casper's consistent performance and versatility set a high standard for the tight end position. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ Super Bowl Champion (XI)

✦ 4x First-team All-Pro (1976-1979)  

✦ 5x Pro Bowl (1976-1980)  

✦ NFL 1970s All-Decade Team

✦ Consensus All-American (1973)  

✦ National Champion (1973)

✦ College Football Hall of Fame (2012)

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame (2002)  

✦ Career Stats: 378 receptions, 5,216 receiving yards, 52 receiving touchdowns.