NFL great George Blanda passed away on Monday. He was 83. He was one of the legends of the game who held many career records. He was also a big part of my memories of watching football as a kid.
My dad and my brother and I were all Oakland Raider fans back then. Daryle Lamonica, Fred Biletnikoff, Charlie Smith, Warren Wells et al were our heros. And Blanda, their aging backup QB/kicker was our favorite. There was a strecth of games in the 1970 season where Blanda led the Raiders back from sure defeats week after week. The following is from the AP story that ran on Monday about Blanda's career:
"He 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."
I can't remember which game it was, maybe that San Diego contest, where the Raider announcer described the game-winning kick then added "George Blanda has just been elected King of the World!!!" It was awesome.
Its sad when our heros pass away. But it does bring back great memories of watching football as a kid with my dad and my brother. Thanks, George, for being a part of some great times for me. Rest in peace.
