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Carl Weathers, Film Icon, Former Raider, Dies at 76

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Aidan Champion | Last updated Feb 2, 2024 6:34 PM ET

While the world of film lost a beloved actor on Thursday, the Las Vegas Raiders lost an alumnus.

Former Oakland Raiders linebacker and Hollywood icon Carl Weathers passed away at the age of 76 on Thursday. His family said in a statement on Friday that Weathers "died peacefully in his sleep," per Deadline.

Weathers was most known for playing the nemesis/mentor, Apollo Creed, in the first four "Rocky" films. He also played Chubbs Peterson in "Happy Gilmore," "Colonel Al Dillon in "Predator," and Greef Karga in the "Star Wars" spin-off television show, "The Mandalorian," to name a few of the other more notable portrayals on his long list of on-screen projects.

What Weathers was probably least recognized for, however, was his short career as a Raider. Weathers played eight regular season games at linebacker for the Raiders in the 1970 NFL season before playing one game as a strong safety in the 1971 season. He and the Raiders made it to the AFC Championship game in the 1970 season, ultimately falling to the Baltimore Colts, who went on to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V.

It was just the second year of Raiders legend John Madden's reign as head coach.

pic.twitter.com/AuuJOfrsFr
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) February 2, 2024

Following his time as a Raider, Weathers then played 18 games for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and during his off-time, studied drama at San Francisco State University.

Prior to being signed by Oakland, Weathers played for San Diego State University, where he was a two-year letterman. He helped lead the Aztecs to the 1969 Pasadena Bowl, where they conquered Boston University, 28-7, to finish the season with an 11-0 record.

Weathers then pursued his career as an actor when he retired from professional football.

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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