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|position=[[Tight End]]
|position=[[Tight End]]
|number=87
|number=87
|birthdate={{birth date and age|1951|9|26}}<BR>[[Bemidji, Minnesota]]
|birthdate={{Birth date and age|1951|9|26}}<BR>[[Bemidji, Minnesota]]
|debutyear=1974
|debutyear=1974
|debutteam=Oakland Raiders
|debutteam=Oakland Raiders
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}}
}}


'''David John Casper''' (born September 26, 1951 in [[Bemidji, Minnesota]]), nicknamed '''"The Ghost."'''<ref name="PostCrescent" /> is a former [[American football]] player. He was an offensive lineman and tight end.
'''David John Casper''' (born September 26, 1951 in [[Bemidji, Minnesota]]), nicknamed '''"The Ghost."'''<ref name="PostCrescent" /> is a former [[American football]] player. He was an offensive lineman and tight end.


==High school==
==High school==
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==Notre Dame==
==Notre Dame==
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 [[1973 College Football All-America Team|All-American]] on the 1973 National Championship Team He was the 1973 ND Offensive MVP and recorded 21 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns in career. He was drafted in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft by the [[Oakland Raiders]]. Casper only caught a total of 9 passes his first two seasons, but was a top 10 receiver in 1976. That season he had 53 catches for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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 [[1973 College Football All-America Team|All-American]] on the 1973 National Championship Team He was the 1973 ND Offensive MVP and recorded 21 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns in career. He was drafted in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft by the [[Oakland Raiders]]. Casper only caught a total of 9 passes his first two seasons, but was a top 10 receiver in 1976. That season he had 53 catches for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns.


===Ghost to the Post===
===Ghost to the Post===
{{main|Ghost to the Post}}
{{Main|Ghost to the Post}}
One of Casper's most memorable games as a Raider came in a [[NFL playoffs, 1977-78|1977 Divisional Playoff]] game against the [[History of the Indianapolis Colts|Baltimore Colts]]. Casper made an over-the-head catch of a soft pass lofted by [[Kenny Stabler|Ken Stabler]] on "The Ghost to the Post." The 42-yard reception set up a game-tying field goal that forced overtime and the Raiders went on to a 37-31 victory with Casper's 10-yard touchdown reception in the second overtime period. He finished the game 4 receptions for 70 yards and 3 touchdowns.
One of Casper's most memorable games as a Raider came in a [[NFL playoffs, 1977-78|1977 Divisional Playoff]] game against the [[History of the Indianapolis Colts|Baltimore Colts]]. Casper made an over-the-head catch of a soft pass lofted by [[Kenny Stabler|Ken Stabler]] on "The Ghost to the Post." The 42-yard reception set up a game-tying field goal that forced overtime and the Raiders went on to a 37-31 victory with Casper's 10-yard touchdown reception in the second overtime period. He finished the game 4 receptions for 70 yards and 3 touchdowns.


===The Holy Roller===
===The Holy Roller===
{{main|Holy Roller (American football)}}
{{Main|Holy Roller (American football)}}
{{expert-subject|National Football League|section|date=October 2009}}
{{Expert-subject|National Football League|section|date=October 2009}}
Casper was also involved in another famous NFL contest on September 10, 1978, between the Raiders and [[San Diego Chargers]]. The Raiders trailed the Chargers 20-14 with just ten seconds left in the game. Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler, about to be sacked, dropped the football, which he then flicked toward the goal line in an effort to save the game. It is uncertain whether he actively threw the ball towards the goal line, or whether he dropped it accidentally and it rolled in that direction. Raiders running back [[Pete Banaszak]] recovered the ball at the San Diego 12-yard line but dropped the ball again, and it rolled further forward. Casper kicked the ball at the San Diego 5-yard line and finally recovered it in the end zone to tie the game. The extra point attempt was good and Oakland won the game, 21-20.
Casper was also involved in another famous NFL contest on September 10, 1978, between the Raiders and [[San Diego Chargers]]. The Raiders trailed the Chargers 20-14 with just ten seconds left in the game. Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler, about to be sacked, dropped the football, which he then flicked toward the goal line in an effort to save the game. It is uncertain whether he actively threw the ball towards the goal line, or whether he dropped it accidentally and it rolled in that direction. Raiders running back [[Pete Banaszak]] recovered the ball at the San Diego 12-yard line but dropped the ball again, and it rolled further forward. Casper kicked the ball at the San Diego 5-yard line and finally recovered it in the end zone to tie the game. The extra point attempt was good and Oakland won the game, 21-20.


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==Other career highlights==
==Other career highlights==
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).
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).


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 season with 56 receptions and was named to his fifth [[Pro Bowl]]. In 1984 he returned to the Raiders for his final NFL season.
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 season with 56 receptions and was named to his fifth [[Pro Bowl]]. In 1984 he returned to the Raiders for his final NFL season.


Casper finished his pro career with 378 receptions, 5,216 yards and 52 touchdowns. In 2002 he was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]. He was the 13th Raider to be inducted.
Casper finished his pro career with 378 receptions, 5,216 yards and 52 touchdowns. In 2002 he was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]. He was the 13th Raider to be inducted.
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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*[http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/CaspDa00.htm Casper's career stats on pro-football-reference.com]
*[http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/CaspDa00.htm Casper's career stats on pro-football-reference.com]


{{start box}}
{{S-start}}
{{succession box | title=[[Silver Anniversary Awards (NCAA)]] | before=[[Gary Hall, Sr.]]<br>[[Lawrie Mifflin]]<br>[[Drew Pearson (American football)|Drew Pearson]]<br>[[Cynthia Potter]]<br>[[Sally Ride]]<br>[[Harry Smith (television)|Harry Smith]] | years='''''Class of 1999'''''<br>Dave Casper<br>[[Anita DeFrantz]]<br>[[Pat Head Summitt]]<br>[[Lynn Swann]]<br>[[Robert R. Thomas]]<br>[[Bill Walton]] | after=[[Dianne Baker]]<br>[[Junior Bridgeman]]<br>[[Pat Haden]]<br>[[Lisa Rosenblum]]<br>[[John Dickson Stufflebeem]]<br>[[John Trembley]] }}
{{Succession box| title=[[Silver Anniversary Awards (NCAA)]] | before=[[Gary Hall, Sr.]]<br>[[Lawrie Mifflin]]<br>[[Drew Pearson (American football)|Drew Pearson]]<br>[[Cynthia Potter]]<br>[[Sally Ride]]<br>[[Harry Smith (television)|Harry Smith]] | years='''''Class of 1999'''''<br>Dave Casper<br>[[Anita DeFrantz]]<br>[[Pat Head Summitt]]<br>[[Lynn Swann]]<br>[[Robert R. Thomas]]<br>[[Bill Walton]] | after=[[Dianne Baker]]<br>[[Junior Bridgeman]]<br>[[Pat Haden]]<br>[[Lisa Rosenblum]]<br>[[John Dickson Stufflebeem]]<br>[[John Trembley]] }}
{{end box}}
{{S-end}}
{{Walter Camp Alumni of the Year}}
{{Walter Camp Alumni of the Year}}
{{1973 Notre Dame football}}
{{1973 Notre Dame football}}
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|PLACE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Casper, Dave}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Casper, Dave}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:1952 births]]

Revision as of 16:25, 27 September 2010

Dave Casper
No. 87
Position:Tight End
Career information
College:Notre Dame
NFL draft:1974 / Round: 2 / Pick: 45
Career history
Career highlights and awards

David John Casper (born September 26, 1951 in Bemidji, Minnesota), nicknamed "The Ghost."[1] is a former American football player. He was an offensive lineman and tight end.

High school

Dave spent his first 3 years of high school at St. Edward Central Catholic Highschool in Elgin, IL. His final year of high school was at Chilton High School in Chilton, Wisconsin.[1] He was a member of the 1969 football team that outscored their opponents 363-0 in eight games.[1] The small-town team was ranked eighth in the state behind the largest schools in the state; there was no playoff system at the time.[1]

Notre Dame

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 and recorded 21 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns in career. He was drafted in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. Casper only caught a total of 9 passes his first two seasons, but was a top 10 receiver in 1976. That season he had 53 catches for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Ghost to the Post

Main article: Ghost to the Post

One of Casper's most memorable games as a Raider came in a 1977 Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Colts. Casper made an over-the-head catch of a soft pass lofted by Ken Stabler on "The Ghost to the Post." The 42-yard reception set up a game-tying field goal that forced overtime and the Raiders went on to a 37-31 victory with Casper's 10-yard touchdown reception in the second overtime period. He finished the game 4 receptions for 70 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Holy Roller

Main article: Holy Roller (American football)

Casper was also involved in another famous NFL contest on September 10, 1978, between the Raiders and San Diego Chargers. The Raiders trailed the Chargers 20-14 with just ten seconds left in the game. Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler, about to be sacked, dropped the football, which he then flicked toward the goal line in an effort to save the game. It is uncertain whether he actively threw the ball towards the goal line, or whether he dropped it accidentally and it rolled in that direction. Raiders running back Pete Banaszak recovered the ball at the San Diego 12-yard line but dropped the ball again, and it rolled further forward. Casper kicked the ball at the San Diego 5-yard line and finally recovered it in the end zone to tie the game. The extra point attempt was good and Oakland won the game, 21-20.

The Chargers protested on the grounds that Stabler's fumble was actually a forward pass, and therefore should have been ruled incomplete when it hit the ground. As a result of the play, the NFL changed its rules to make it illegal for a team to advance the ball on its own fumble on fourth down or in the last two minutes of the game. 35 Career touchdowns with Raiders.

Other career highlights

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).

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 season with 56 receptions and was named to his fifth Pro Bowl. In 1984 he returned to the Raiders for his final NFL season.

Casper finished his pro career with 378 receptions, 5,216 yards and 52 touchdowns. In 2002 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the 13th Raider to be inducted.

Current activities

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.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Christopherson, Brett (2009-08-28). "Brett Christopherson column: 1969 Chilton High School Tigers recall 'the greatest days'". The Post Crescent. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  2. ^ david-casper.com
Preceded by Silver Anniversary Awards (NCAA)
Class of 1999
Dave Casper
Anita DeFrantz
Pat Head Summitt
Lynn Swann
Robert R. Thomas
Bill Walton 		Succeeded by

Template:Persondata

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