Dave Casper

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Casper spent his first three years of high school at St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin, Illinois, and his senior season was at Chilton High School in Chilton, Wisconsin. He was a member of the 1969 Chilton team that outscored their opponents 363–0 in eight games. Casper played collegiate football at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned Honorable Mention All-America as a tackle in 1972. In 1973, he was an All-American on the 1973 National Championship Team. He was the 1973 ND Offensive MVP as a tight end and recorded 21 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns in his career. Casper earned his bachelor's degree in economics and graduated in 1974. He was also the captain of the Omicron Delta Epsilon honor society. In 2012, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Casper was selected with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. Casper only caught a total of nine passes his first two seasons, but was a top-ten receiver in their championship season in 1976, in which he had 53 catches for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns. One of Casper's most memorable games as a Raider came in a 1977 Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Colts, where he made an over-the-head catch on "The Ghost to the Post" and finished with four receptions for 70 yards and three touchdowns. Casper was also involved in the 1978 "Holy Roller" game between the Raiders and San Diego Chargers, where he kicked the ball and recovered it in the end zone to tie the game. As a result of the play, the NFL changed its rules to make it illegal for the teammate of a ball carrier to advance the ball if the ball carrier fumbles on fourth down or in the last two minutes of the game. Casper caught the first touchdown of Super Bowl XI, a 32–14 Raiders victory over the Minnesota Vikings. As a Raider, Casper was selected to four straight Pro Bowls (1976–1979). Along with his three touchdown catches in the "Ghost to the Post" game, Casper caught two more TD's in the 1977 AFC Championship Game. His five TD's in a postseason was an NFL record for tight ends until Rob Gronkowski surpassed it. Midway through the 1980 season Casper was traded to the Houston Oilers for their first and second-round draft picks. He was reunited with his former Raider quarterback, Ken Stabler, when he was traded to the Oilers. He finished the 1980 sea

In Their Own Story

The source does not provide specific play-by-play moments or game narratives involving Dave Casper. It confirms he was a tight end on teams featuring Hall of Fame linemen and linebackers like Ted Hendricks. The text notes the team's frustration with losing six AFL/AFC Championship Games during Madden's ten seasons, despite always finishing with a winning record. While specific games for Casper are not detailed, his era saw the Raiders win 12 Division titles (three AFL West, nine AFC West) and four AFL/AFC championships in 1967, 1976, 1980, and 2002.

Reader's Guide

In recent years, Casper has been working for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Walnut Creek, California (and now Vernon Hills, Illinois) assisting business owners with financial planning and consultation work.

Did You Know?

• Casper's 1969 Chilton High School team outscored opponents 363–0 in eight games.
• He was the 1973 Notre Dame Offensive MVP as a tight end.
• Casper caught the first touchdown of Super Bowl XI.
• His five touchdowns in a single postseason was an NFL record for tight ends until Rob Gronkowski surpassed it.
• Casper was traded to the Houston Oilers midway through the 1980 season, causing him to miss the Raiders' Super Bowl win that year.