George Blanda

George Blanda was one of the most versatile players in NFL history, known for his remarkable career that spanned 26 seasons. Born in 1927, Blanda was both a quarterback and a placekicker, playing for the Chicago Bears, Houston Oilers, and Oakland Raiders.

He is perhaps best remembered for his time with the Raiders, where he helped lead the team to multiple playoff appearances and became a key figure in their success. Despite his age, Blanda remained a critical asset for the Raiders, setting a record for the oldest player to play in an NFL game at 48 years old.

He retired with an impressive total of 2,002 points, showcasing his prowess as a kicker and quarterback. Blanda’s ability to play both roles with excellence made him a unique and influential player in the league.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.

Blanda's Awards and Honors

• 3× AFL champion (1960, 1961, 1967)
• AFL Most Valuable Player (1961)
• NFL Man of the Year (1974)
• First-team All-AFL (1961)
• 2× Second-team All-AFL (1962, 1963)
• 4× AFL All-Star (1961–1963, 1967)
• 2× AFL passing yards leader (1961, 1963)
• AFL passing touchdowns leader (1961)
• AFL passer rating leader (1961)
• AFL scoring leader (1967)
• AFL All-Time Team
• AP Male Athlete of the Year (1970)
• Bert Bell Award (1970)
• UPI AFC Player of the Year (1970)
• 100 greatest Bears of All-Time
• Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor

NFL Records

• Most seasons played: 26
• Most career extra points made: 943
• Most passing touchdowns in a game: 7 (tied)

NFL Teams

Chicago Bears (1949)
Baltimore Colts (1950)
Chicago Bears (1950–1958)
Houston Oilers (1960–1966)
Oakland Raiders (1967–1975)