ST. MARYS, Pa. (WTAJ)– The Elk County community is remembering the impact of a local legend.

It was announced Thursday, St. Marys native and former Oakland Raiders football player Dan Conners died Sunday.

Conners graduated from St. Marys Area High School in 1960.

Today, it’s hard to miss the golden football display in his honor in the school’s hallway.

“To be able to walk by this every day and see NFL history as you can see here, is a big deal,” former head football coach Tony Defilippi said.

He went on to a 10 year career as a middle linebacker for the Oakland Raiders.

He played in Super Bowl II and won multiple national championships.

“It’s just really kind of a neat thing that in a small town like this, we can have somebody that’s made such an impact in the area and became pretty famous,” teacher Jason Schreiber said.

“I think growing up it’s every kids’ dream to try to go to the NFL, to play in the Super Bowl,” Cody Ritter, a senior football player, said. “I think it’s an awesome situation that a player from our school district made both those things happen.”

Those at his alma mater say his reach extends far beyond the school.

“I became an Oakland Raiders fan, we have within St. Marys numerous Raiders fans, as well as in Ridgway, Johnsonburg, Elk County and Cameron County,” school police officer John Lovett said.

Conners died in the hospital in California on Sunday, April 28. He was 77 years old.