Bob Svihus


Robert Craig Svihus is an American former professional football football position)|offensive tackle] in the American Football League and the National Football League for the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets. He played college football for the USC Trojans.

Early life

Svihus attended Sequoia [High School (Redwood City, California)|Sequoia High School], where he practiced football, basketball and baseball.
In football he played at guard and tackle, while being a part of the 1959 and 1960 undefeated teams. As a senior, he received All S.P.A.L. and All Northern California honors.
In 1991, he was inducted into the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame.

College career

Svihus accepted a football scholarship from the University of Southern California. As a sophomore in 1962, he was a part of an undefeated team that won the Rose Bowl and the national championship.
As a senior in 1964, he became a starter at left tackle and received second-team All-AAWU honors.

Professional career

Oakland Raiders

Svihus was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 1965 [American Football League draft|1965 AFL draft] and by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1965 NFL draft.
He chose to sign with the Oakland Raiders, becoming a starter at left tackle as a rookie, to protect quarterback Tom Flores. He would keep the job until 1969 [American Football League season|1969], while protecting quarterback Daryle Lamonica and missing only one game. In 1967, he played in Super Bowl II, a 14–33 loss against the Green Bay Packers.
In 1970 after the AFL–NFL merger, he was replaced at left tackle by future Pro [Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]r Art Shell and started only 1 game. On August 26, 1971, he was traded to the New York Jets in exchange for a second round pick.

New York Jets

Svihus was the starter at left tackle from 1971 to 1972, protecting quarterback Joe Namath. In 1973, he only started 4 games after being passed on the depth chart by Robert Woods. He retired on September 10, 1974.

Personal life

Svihus co-wrote a book with Wayne Hawkins and Dave Dalby called Raider: How Offensive can you be? A 25-year history of the Oakland Raiders. The book was published by Peninsula Publishing in Monterey, California and was written in 1986–1987.