The Sports Xchange

Marv Hubbard, a hard-nosed fullback for the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s, died at 68 on Monday after a lengthy fight with prostate cancer, his wife, Virginia, told the Oakland Tribune.

Hubbard played with the Raiders from 1969-75, then finished his NFL career with the Detroit Lions in 1977.

In 103 games, 59 starts, Hubbard gained 4,544 yards on 951 carries (4.8 yards per attempt) with 23 touchdowns. He added 85 receptions for 628 yards and one touchdown.

His best season was 1972, when he ran for 1,100 yards and four touchdowns on 219 carries.

“Marv Hubbard was one of the toughest players we ever had,” Hall of Fame coach John Madden told the Tribune. “There are people that will have contact and people that won’t have contact, but only a few that will have it and really enjoy it. Marv was one of those guys who truly enjoyed the collision. He would look for it. …

“He didn’t have a lot of wiggle, but he had some quickness, though. He didn’t spend a lot of time in the hole.”

The lengthy career came from humble beginnings, as Hubbard was Oakland’s 11th-round pick (No. 277 overall) out of Colgate in 1968.

Hubbard’s long-time team issued a statement that read: “The Raiders are saddened to learn of the passing of former Raiders running back Marv Hubbard. We extend our sincere condolences to the Hubbard family.”