The Raiders mourn their second legend in as many months as Hall of Fame quarterback and kicker George Blanda passed away on Monday.
Blanda first entered the NFL in 1949 where he played quarterback and linebacker for the George Halas. He played with the Monsters of the Midway until Halas let him go after the 1958 season feeling that he was washed up.
He would sign with the Houston Oilers in the initial year of the American Football League. He played in Houston for seven years and was an all star for three of those years. After being let go by the Oilers he landed in Oakland where he would stay until he rejoined the NFL when it merged with the AFL. He would ultimately play in Silver and Black until 1975 as a backqup quarterback and kicker.
Blanda was one of the key figures in shaping the Raider Mystique. In 1970 as a 43 year old he won the Bert Bell Man of the Year when he led the Raiders from behind in five straight games to four wins and a tie. During this time the late Raiders play by play announcer Bill King called Blanda the “King of the World” for his miracle comebacks. Other Raiders would have the knack for pulling victory from the jaws of defeat, but it was Blanda’s 1970 run that is the defining moment of that aspect of the Raider Mystique.
Blanda retired with the record for the most career points scored, games played, and interceptions thrown. Gary Anderson and Morten Andersen has broken the points scored record. Morten Andersen broke Blanda’s record of 304 games played. Brett Favre has since shattered his interception mark.
In 1981 Blanda became the second Oakland Raider named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In his presentation, Al Davis called Blanda the “greatest clutch player ever.”
There will be a private funeral for family and friends. There is aa public memorial being planned.
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