In a striking image from a game in the 1970s, three Oakland Raiders players sit shoulder to shoulder on the sideline, taking a moment of rest amid the intensity of battle. The scene captures the grit and determination that defined one of the NFL’s most formidable teams of that era. Seated on the bench are three pillars of the Raiders’ offensive line—each of them a key contributor to the franchise’s dominant decade.
From left to right, the trio consists of No. 79, likely Henry Lawrence, followed by No. 63, the legendary Gene Upshaw, and No. 70, Art Shell. Together, they represent the heart and soul of a Raiders offensive line that was widely regarded as one of the most powerful and consistent units in NFL history.
Gene Upshaw, wearing No. 63, is the most immediately recognizable figure among them. A stalwart guard, Upshaw played his entire 15-year career with the Raiders and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known for his agility, intelligence, and sheer strength, Upshaw was not only a leader on the field but also served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association after retiring from football. His presence on the field ensured that quarterbacks had time to operate and running backs had lanes to exploit.
Sitting beside him is Art Shell, No. 70, another Hall of Fame legend. Shell was a dominant offensive tackle whose excellence at the line of scrimmage helped pave the way for Raiders’ offensive success throughout the 1970s. Like Upshaw, Shell played his entire career with the Raiders and later transitioned into coaching, becoming the first African American head coach in the modern era of the NFL when he took the helm of the Raiders in 1989.
The third man, wearing No. 79, is believed to be Henry Lawrence, another standout offensive lineman for the Raiders during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Lawrence, a two-time Super Bowl champion, played a key role in maintaining the high standard of performance set by his veteran teammates.
During the 1970s, the Oakland Raiders were the embodiment of toughness, attitude, and unrelenting willpower. Based in Oakland, California, the team was feared for its aggressive playing style and the hard-nosed personalities that defined its roster. Led by iconic head coach John Madden for much of the decade, the Raiders became one of the league’s elite teams.
Their pinnacle came in January 1977, when they triumphed over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI, securing the franchise’s first championship. The win was a culmination of years of dominance and near-misses, finally validating the talent and grit of players like Upshaw and Shell.
The Raiders of the 1970s also featured other unforgettable figures, including the feared safety Jack Tatum, known as “The Assassin.” His bone-jarring hits symbolized the defensive ferocity that complemented the offensive line’s power.
This candid sideline moment—three warriors catching their breath—remains a powerful snapshot of an era when the Oakland Raiders ruled the gridiron with intensity, brotherhood, and championship-
caliber football.