Farewell George Blanda.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Blanda
Earlier this week, the longest professional playing career in the history of the game of football saw iron man George Blanda leave for the great field in the sky as the gridiron great left us at age 83.
Today we question whether a certain quarterback should play his 20th season. George Blanda played for 26 seasons. In addition to being the team quarterback, he was actually also the kicker. He finished with a then-record of 2002 points. He played in four different decades, starting in 1949 and retiring after the 1975 season at age 48.
From 1949 through 1958, he played for the Chicago Bears, with a brief stint with the Baltimore Colts in 1950. He was told in 1959 that he was too old, but after sitting out the 1959 season, joined the upstart American Football League. He played with the Houston Oilers from 1960 through 1966, winning the first two AFL Championships. He joined the Oakland Raiders in 1967, and as the backup to Darryl Lamonica, helped get the Raiders to Super Bowl II against Vince Lombardi and the Packers. He had played against them many times while with George Halas and the Bears.
In his final two seasons as the backup to Ken Stabler, he saw the 1974 and 1975 Raiders reach the AFC Title Game but lose to Pittsburgh both times. Sadly, he retired before the 1976 season where the Raiders finally defeated the Steelers in the AFC Title Game and then trounced the Minnesota Vikings to arn their first Super Bowl victory.
In 1970, at age 42, AP named him the male athlete of the year. In a remarkable 5 game stretch at age 42, his kicks led the Raiders to 4 wins and a tie that meant the difference between missing the playoffs and reaching the AFC Titte Game again.
George Blanda was what football is about. It is hard-nosed, gritty, and thrilling when everything is on the line.
More importantly, it is the end of an era and a major piece of football history.
Earlier this year we lost Don Coryell. We watch television today, and we see the Raiders play the Chargers in games that will one day maybe be classics.
Yet the history of football involves the legends that already exist.
There will never be another George Blanda. The game is too brutal and the players are too big and strong for a 48 yard quarterback and kicker. He was one for the ages.
The Silver and Black flags at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum will be at half staff this Sunday.
Heavy hearts will fill the Raiders Nation, but they will be grateful hearts as well.
Farewell Mr. Blanda. You played the game with honor and integrity, and football fans everywhere will remember your greatness on the field.
There is football in heaven, and George Blanda, while younger than God, is at the senior table planning the next play.
eric
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
(Jets by 5.5, Bills win outright)
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
(Bengals by 3, Browns win outright)
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
(Steelers by 1, they cover)
Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans
(Titans by 6.5, they win but fail to cover)
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
(Packers by 14.5, they win but fail to cover)
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons
(Falcons by 7, they cover)
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
(Saints by 13.5, they cover)
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
(Seahawks by 1.5, Rams win outright)
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
(Colts by 7, they win but fail to cover)
Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders
(Texans by 3.5, Raiders win outright)
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
(Eagles by 6.5, they win but fail to cover)
Arizona Cardinals at San Diego Chargers
(Chargers by 9, they win but fail to cover)
Chicago Bears @ New York Giants is the Sunday night game.
(Giants by 4, they win but fail to cover)
Patriots @ Dolphins is the Monday night game.
(Pick em, Patriots win)
eric
I’m glad that George didn’t have to experience the Democratic Party’s coming out today in D.C. I don’t think he would have approved. But then I can’t speak for George and have no knowledge of his politics. He was a legend and almost every one recognized his name even if they didn’t know of his accomplishments. Hall of Famer durable into his 40’s. Some may try to out do him but I don’t think anyone will.
I mention the Democratic Party’s coming out because that is what happened at the “One Nation” rally today. The Democratic Party finally revealed itself to the world as the Communist Party. The world has known for years that the Democratic Party is Communist but they removed all doubt and confirmed the fact that the Democratic Party is in lock step with all the Communist organizations in America. So, we don’t have to call the Democratic Party the Democratic Party any more. We can now call the Democratic Party the Communist Party. They can no longer deny it. This coming out clears up the haze around the Communist Party’s agenda. The leading members of the Communist Party, Obama, Pelosi and Reid to name just three, are planning a Communist Party take over of America. So lets all line up and turn in our weapons, resources and property to the Communist Party leaders. C’mon now lets line up, ya hear?
Toma
Great piece about Blanda. He will truly be missed.
Now…
How the h#ll do you see the Bill beating the Jets outright?!?!?!
The Bills are power-ranked at 31 – the Jets? FIVE!
You’re just mad that the Raiders (PR 26) are in trouble against Houston (PR 7) and you’re taking it out on me! ;)
JMJ
Toma,
Can you tell the difference between a homosexual and a straight man with a lisp? No? Well, that explains it.
Anyone who thinks the Democratic Party is “communist” is dellusionally paranoid.
yes, the Democratic Party is to the left of Republicans and conservatives, but to call them “communists” is childishly ridiculous.
JMJ
Jers I tried to comment but the site won’t post me for some reason.
I tried four times. I give up.