Sad news for Raider Nation Monday, as the Oakland Tribune reports that Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame kicker and quarterback George Blanda has passed away. He was 83.
Blanda played pro football for an astonishing 26 years, longer than anyone else has ever played the game. Blanda was originally with the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Colts, and Houston Oilers. He was a Raider from 1967 to 1975.
Blanda's first game was way back in 1949. He played quarterback, kicker, and linebacker.
Blanda's last game was the 1975 AFC Championship Game, and he was 48 years old at the time. He still scored a field goal and an extra point in that game.
Blanda played for Bear Bryant at Kentucky, George Halas in Chicago, and Al Davis in Oakland.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of the great George Blanda," the Raiders said in a statement Monday. "George was a brave Raider and a close personal friend of Raiders owner Al Davis."
Blanda is the Raiders' second all-time leading scorer.
Sports
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who cannot believe those pants up there on Gene Upshaw.
