George Blanda

George Blanda:George Blanda, considered at the end of the line when he came to the Raiders in 1967, only to become a national symbol of longevity in professional football, died on Monday. He was 83.
Blanda played 26 years in the National Football League and American Football League, his career was largely under the radar until he went from gray-haired veteran is unlikely celebrity at the age of 43 years as a place-kicker and quarterback for the Raiders.
Although there were no details about the circumstances of the death of Bland’s, the Raiders released a statement, said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of the great George Blanda. George was a brave Raider and a close friend of Raiders owner Al Davis … George Blanda in 1970 will live forever in the history of Raiders, as well as all professional football. ”
Bland, who at home in the Chicago area and Palm Springs, is survived by his wife, Betty, whom he was married for 60 years.
“My team and I, and coaches would like to send our hearts, thoughts and our prayers to the family of George Blanda,” Raiders coach Tom Cable said. “Obviously, in a huge loss for the whole family Raider”.
Blanda played for the Raiders from 1967-75 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981, with Davis giving the presentation speech.
He went to 26,920 yards and 236 touchdowns and became the first player to score 2000 points. He played with the Chicago Bears and briefly
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with the Baltimore Colts in the NFL before joining the AFL in its first season in 1960, the Houston Oilers.
In an interview with Bay Area News Group last month, Bland told how he became Raider.
“When I was 40 and cut by the Oilers, nobody was interested in me, except for Al, so he gave me,” said Bland. “I’m sure he’s only going to give me a year. Then we went to a mediocre team in ’66 to 1.13 in ’67 and it’s kind of mushrooms from there. We should be very good football team. I was just lucky to be part of it. ”
Blanda led the Raiders to four wins and a draw in game five to stretch in 1970 and as a defender and football games that thrust him into the limelight. Raiders radio announcer, the late Bill King, was so excited after a 52-yard ball Blanda beat Cleveland Browns, he said: “George Blanda had just been elected King World!”
By the end of 1970 season, Bland was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Time and Newsweek. He also appeared in advertisements Brut Cologne, is the nature of the experience without the frills type who often battled with reporters and did not try to be famous.
George Frederick Blanda was born September 17, 1927, in Youngwood, Pa., the son of a miner, Blanda, which was attended Youngwood High (playing basketball and soccer) and plays at the University of Kentucky under Bear Bryant.
Bears selected in the 12-round 1949 draft NFL, Blanda was signed for $ 600. Used mainly as a reserve defender and place-kicker, Blanda also played linebacker.
He did not begin to bear until 1953, he was wounded and was languishing on the bench. He feuded with coach George Halas to the AFL offered the opportunity to play in 1960. He was one of the most prolific defenders of the AFL through 1966, winning two titles before the liquidation in Oakland.
“I wanted to play football, like all the guys,” Bland said last month. “I just went there to help the team win. The good thing about it as you get older, you get to be with young people, they keep you young.”