George Blanda A Quarterback and Kicker...

George Frederick Blanda was born in Youngwood, Pennsylvania on September 17, 1927. A remarkable player who spanned four decades in professional football, Blanda excelled as both a quarterback and a placekicker, leaving an enduring legacy of longevity and clutch performances.  

✦ College Career

Blanda played college football at the University of Kentucky from 1945 to 1948. He served as the starting quarterback for the Wildcats in his junior and senior seasons (1947-1948) under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. In those two years, he completed 120 of 242 passes for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also handled kicking duties for the team.  

✦ Road to the Pro Game

The Chicago Bears drafted Blanda in the 119th overall pick of the 1949 NFL Draft. He began his professional career with the Bears as a backup quarterback and kicker, playing for them from 1949 to 1958, with a brief stint with the Baltimore Colts in 1950. He gradually took on more responsibility during his time with the Bears, becoming the starting quarterback in 1953.
After a year off in 1959, Blanda joined the Houston Oilers of the newly formed American Football League (AFL) in 1960. This move revitalized his career. As the Oilers' starting quarterback, he led them to consecutive AFL championships in 1960 and 1961. He then played for the Oakland Raiders from 1967 to 1975, primarily as a kicker and backup quarterback, where he became known for his late-game heroics.  

✦ Football Legacy

George Blanda's legacy is one of incredible longevity and versatility. He played a record 26 seasons in professional football, a mark that stood for many years. His ability to perform at a high level as both a quarterback and a kicker made him a unique asset to his teams. Blanda was renowned for his clutch performances, particularly during his time with the Raiders, where he often came off the bench in his late 40s to win games with关键 passes and field goals. He was the first player to score 2,000 career points in professional football. Blanda's durability and continued success over such a long career cemented his place as a true icon of the sport.  

✦ Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats

George Blanda's accomplishments include:

✦ 3x AFL Champion: 1960, 1961 (Houston Oilers), 1967 (Oakland Raiders)

✦ AFL Most Valuable Player: 1961

✦ NFL Man of the Year: 1974

✦ First-Team All-AFL: 1961

✦ 2x Second-Team All-AFL: 1962, 1963

✦ 4x AFL All-Star: 1961, 1962, 1963, 1967

✦ 2x AFL Passing Yards Leader: 1961, 1963

✦ AFL Passing Touchdowns Leader: 1961

✦ AFL Passer Rating Leader: 1961

✦ AFL Scoring Leader: 1967  

✦ AP Male Athlete of the Year: 1970

✦ Bert Bell Award: 1970

✦ UPI AFC Player of the Year: 1970

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 1981

Over his professional career, Blanda completed 1,911 of 4,007 passes for 26,920 yards and 236 touchdowns, with 277 interceptions. As a kicker, he made 335 of 641 field goal attempts and 943 of 959 extra point attempts, scoring a then-record 2,002 points. He also rushed for 344 yards and 9 touchdowns. Blanda holds the NFL record for most extra points made and attempted.