RIP George Blanda

[Ron Brand]

The Grand Old Man of Houston football. He was 83.

[ybbodeus]

Spoke at our school's father/son banquet when I was in the 4th grade.  Most of his jokes went over the kids' heads but not the father's.  Mom and Dad still have a framed copy of Blanda's autograph to my brother and me.  He had been a Raider for two years when he spoke at our school.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Back during the dawn of pro sports in Houston, George Blanda was the city's first sports star. He was the man for only a few years, but 2 AFL Championships and almost a third, cemented his place in Houston sports lore. A hell of a kicker. I don't think Bud Adams cared for Blanda. I  remember Bud Adams always trying to replace Blanda, first with Jacky Lee, then Don Trull, then Bob Davis, and finally the unfortunately named Pete Beathard. I hate Bud Adams. RIP Mr Blanda.

[Taras Bulba]

Went to Oiler games as a kid and saw Blanda play.  My old man always said that Houston sports fans "booed him out of Houston."  Watching those games the year he won the MVP in Oakland were a lot of fun.  Lamonica would get creamed or fizzle out and Blanda would come in and drive 'em down the field for the win or he'd kick a field goal to steal the game away.  That was back when "in the grasp" meant you had the quaterback in your grasp and were in the process of flinging him into the dirt before stepping on him.

[Ron Brand]

That was back when "in the grasp" meant you had the quaterback in your grasp and were in the process of flinging him into the dirt before stepping on him.

Or you were holding him up so your teammates could take shots at his back.