Villapiano, who played for Raiders from 1971-1980 and for Buffalo Bills from 1980-84, won the ring with the Raiders’ 32-14 win against the Vikings in the 1977 Super Bowl.
In an impulsive act, Villapiano gave a discouraged Oellrich his Super Bowl ring to motivate him not only to resume his rehabilitation, but to double his workouts so he could walk again. Oellrich protested, but the former All-Pro insisted that he could only return the ring once he could walk. Oellrich returned the ring Sunday after taking about 10 steps with the help of a cane and going immediately back into his wheelchair.