Blanda played in 340 NFL games from 1949 to 1975.
George Blanda played 26 seasons of professional football, the most in NFL history, and the first NFL player to play in four different decades. His career started in 1949 when he signed with the Chicago Bears. Blanda was dependable in playing both offense as a quarterback and defense as a kicker.
Photo courtesy Pro Football Hall of Fame
Photo courtesy Herald Bulletin (Anderson, IN)
He had one of his best seasons as a quarterback in 1961 when he threw 36 touchdowns and led the Oilers to the AFL title game. In 1967, just before he turned 40, Blanda joined the Oakland Raiders. During the 1970 season, he stepped in for starter Daryle LaMonica (out via injury) and played five games. Blanda’s finale came in the 1975 AFC championship game.
George Blanda retired at the age of 48, just before the start of the 1976 NFL season.
The Sporting News: “He (Blanda) never got older; he just got better. He was the epitome of the grizzled veteran, the symbol of everlasting youth.”
Blanda was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981, his first year of eligibility. George Blanda died in 2010 at the age of 83.
In one of his last interviews just before his death, Blanda commented about his career and defying father time. “I never retired from any of my teams; I was fired. I’m still available. I can’t kick or throw it very far, but I’m available.”
