George Blanda

Records are meant to be broken—but in George Frederick Blanda’s case, two might stand forever. Over an astonishing 26-season career, the longest in professional football history, and playing until he was 48 years-old, the oldest age ever of a NFL player, Blanda made his mark as both a quarterback and a placekicker. His rare combination of longevity and versatility left a legacy on professional football that may never be matched.

Blanda was recruited from Youngwood, Pennsylvania, to play football at the University of Kentucky. His sophomore year marked the arrival of legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who quickly recognized Blanda’s versatility. Over the next three seasons, Blanda played key roles as a quarterback, punter, and kicker. During that span, the Wildcats compiled an impressive 20-9-2 record. His leadership culminated in a trip to the Great Lakes Bowl in 1947, where Kentucky earned a victory over Villanova.

Drafted in the 12th round of the 1949 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, George Blanda launched his professional career as both a quarterback and kicker. During his 10 seasons in Chicago, he passed for 5,946 yards and 44 touchdowns, while also kicking 88 field goals and converting 247 extra points. However, a dispute with coach George Halas over Blanda’s future role led to his temporary retirement following the 1958 season. Halas wanted to use him solely as a kicker, sidelining his quarterback duties—a decision Bears fans would come to regret.

In 1960, Blanda made a return to football with the Houston Oilers of the newly formed American Football League (AFL). Serving as both quarterback and kicker, he led the Oilers to back-to-back AFL championships in 1960 and 1961. His 1961 season was especially remarkable as he threw 36 touchdown passes, setting a league record at the time, and was named AFL Most Valuable Player. A four-time AFL All-Star during his seven seasons in Houston, Blanda amassed 19,871 passing yards and 170 touchdowns, while also kicking 97 field goals and 307 extra points. The Oilers released him in March 1967, believing his best days were behind him after 17 seasons of playing professional football. But the Oakland Raiders saw untapped value, signing him that July as a reliable kicker and veteran backup quarterback.

George Blanda joined the Oakland Raiders in 1967, shifting primarily to a kicking role while remaining a dependable backup quarterback. In his first season with the Raiders, he led the AFL in scoring with 116 points, including four field goals in a 19–7 win over his former team, the Houston Oilers. Just three weeks later, he helped the Raiders defeat the Oilers again, this time in a dominant 40–7 victory in the AFL Championship. The team advanced to Super Bowl II but fell to the Green Bay Packers.

Blanda’s most memorable season came in 1970. At 43 years old, he engineered a series of dramatic comeback wins, earning the Bert Bell Award and being named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He continued to be a steady presence on the team and was honored in 1974 as the NFL Man of the Year.

Blanda retired in 1976 at age 48, becoming the oldest player in NFL history. In recognition of his extraordinary career, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981. He passed away in 2010, but his legacy—and some of his records—may never be matched.

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