The Oakland Raiders say Hall of Fame quarterback George Blanda has died. He was 83. A Raiders' spokesman confirmed the death Monday. The team is expected to release a statement later Monday.
Blanda also was a quarterback and kicker at the University of Kentucky. He was the starting quarterback under coach Bear Bryant in 1947 and ’48.
Blanda spent 26 seasons in the NFL as a quarterback and kicker while playing for three different teams. He spent 10 seasons with Chicago, seven with the Houston Oilers and nine with the Raiders before retiring in 1976 at the age of 48.
Blanda was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame of Fame on Aug. 1, 1981.
Blanda was one of my all-time favorites. While I barely missed his UK years (the first game I attended was 1975, I think), I thought the old guy kicking for the Raiders was so cool.
