Tribute to George Blanda

George Blanda…I grew up watching this guy. A man’s man, a player’s player. 26 years in pro football, retiring at the age of 48. 

From Blanda’s A.P. obituary:

Blanda began his memorable run in 1970 by throwing three touchdown passes in place of an injured Daryle Lamonica in a 31-14 win over Pittsburgh on Oct. 25. The following week he kicked a 48-yard field goal in the final seconds to give the Raiders a 17-17 tie against Kansas City.

Blanda was just getting started. He threw a tying touchdown pass with 1:34 remaining and then kicked the game-winning 52-yard field goal in the final seconds the following week in a 23-20 win over Cleveland.

He followed that with a 20-yard TD pass to Fred Biletnikoff in place of Lamonica in a 24-19 victory over Denver the next week, then kicked a 16-yard field goal in the closing seconds to beat San Diego 20-17 on Nov. 22.

Passing TD's in a game: 7 (Tied with 4 others) November 19, 1961 vs. New York Titans[1]

Most seasons played: 26 (1949–58, 1960–75)

Most seasons scoring a point: 26

One of two players to play in 4 different decades: (40s, 50s, 60s, 70s) – Jeff Feagles being the other

Most PATs made (943) and attempted (959)

Most interceptions thrown, single season: 42 (1962)

Held record of most pass attempts in a single game: 68 (37 completions, vs. New York Titans on 11/1/1961) until 1994 when Drew Bledsoe had 70

Oldest person to play in an NFL game: 48 years, 109 days

First player ever to score over 2,000 points

Oldest quarterback to start a title game

3rd Fewest receiving yards in a career: – 16

Most total points accounted for (including TD passes) in a career: 3,418 (not an official stat)

Ten years with the Chicago Bears, seven seasons with the Houston Oilers, and nine-years with the Oakland Raiders. His 340-game career was the longest in league history. 

RIP