George Blanda

The Ageless Wonder Who Redefined Longevity in Football

Football is a game of eras, where players come and go, their legacies defined by short bursts of dominance. George Blanda defied all of that. Over an astonishing 26-season career (1949–1975), Blanda became a living legend, playing as both a quarterback and kicker, extending his career far beyond what anyone thought possible. He wasn’t just a player—he was a historical bridge between generations, sharing the field with everyone from Sid Luckman to Ken Stabler.

Blanda was more than just a long-tenured player; he was a clutch performer, a man who thrived in pressure moments and willed his teams to victory time and time again. From his days as a pioneering passer in the early NFL, to his legendary fourth-quarter heroics with the Oakland Raiders, Blanda proved that age was just a number. He played with a gritty determination that made him one of the most respected and enduring figures in football history.

This collection celebrates George Blanda, a man who rewrote the rules of longevity, shattered records, and became a symbol of toughness and resilience in professional football.

Blanda’s Career by the Numbers

No one played the game longer, and few impacted it in as many ways as George Blanda. His records stood for decades, a testament to his ability to evolve with the game and remain a valuable asset deep into his 40s.

• NFL Seasons Played: 26 (Most in NFL history at the time of his retirement)
• Career Passing Yards: 26,920
• Career Passing Touchdowns: 236
• Career Points Scored: 2,002 (NFL record at the time of retirement)
• Career Field Goals Made: 335
• Games Played: 340
• AFL MVP (1961) – 36 Passing Touchdowns (Single-Season Record at the time)

Career Accolades:

• Four-time AFL Champion (1960, 1961, 1963, 1967)
• NFL Man of the Year (1974)
• Six-time All-Pro Selection
• Three-time AFL Passing Leader (1961, 1962, 1963)
• Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1981)
• Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame
• Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers) Ring of Honor

Blanda’s greatness wasn’t just about numbers—it was about durability, clutch performances, and the ability to play at a high level across four different decades.

Defining Moments That Made George Blanda a Legend

1. The Five-Game Stretch of 1970 – A Comeback for the Ages

At 43 years old, most football players have long since retired. But in 1970, Blanda put together one of the most legendary five-game stretches in NFL history, delivering last-second heroics week after week for the Oakland Raiders.

• Week 6: Replaces injured Ken Stabler and throws a last-minute touchdown pass to tie the game.
• Week 7: Comes in late, throws a game-winning TD, and then kicks the extra point.
• Week 8: Kicks a 48-yard game-winning field goal with three seconds left.
• Week 9: Another game, another last-second field goal for the win.
• Week 10: Throws two touchdown passes, then kicks the game-winning field goal in the final seconds.

At an age when most players had been out of the league for a decade or more, Blanda won five straight games almost single-handedly, earning AFC Player of the Year honors.

2. The 1961 AFL MVP Season – Airing It Out in Houston

Before Blanda was a clutch legend in Oakland, he was a pioneering passer for the Houston Oilers, leading one of the most dominant offenses in football history.

In 1961, at the age of 34 (already considered old for the era), Blanda had one of the greatest passing seasons in football history, throwing 36 touchdowns—a record that stood until Dan Marino broke it in 1984. He also led the Oilers to their second straight AFL Championship, cementing his place as one of the AFL’s first true stars.

Blanda’s ability to sling the ball downfield with fearless aggression helped transform modern quarterback play, ushering in the pass-heavy offenses that dominate football today.

Key George Blanda Cards Every Collector Should Own

Blanda’s legendary career spanned multiple teams and multiple eras, making his football cards highly collectible for fans of both vintage NFL and AFL memorabilia.

• 1954 Bowman #23 Rookie Card – One of the oldest quarterback rookie cards in existence, showcasing a young Blanda during his early years with the Chicago Bears.
• 1961 Fleer #17 – Capturing Blanda in his AFL MVP prime, this card is a must-have for Oilers and AFL collectors.
• 1970 Topps #290 – Released during his miraculous 1970 season, this card celebrates Blanda’s incredible clutch performances.
• 1976 Topps #1 – His final card as an active player, a fitting tribute to a man who played longer than anyone else in NFL history.

Each of these cards represents a different chapter in Blanda’s unparalleled journey, making them valuable keepsakes for those who appreciate football history.

George Blanda’s Legacy – The Ultimate Football Survivor

George Blanda wasn’t just a quarterback or a kicker—he was a symbol of football’s enduring spirit. His career bridged multiple generations, beginning in the old-school, run-heavy NFL of the 1940s and ending in the pass-heavy modern era of the 1970s. He was a trailblazer in the AFL, a clutch performer in the NFL, and above all, one of the toughest players the game has ever seen.

His name is synonymous with longevity, resilience, and the will to compete. No matter the score, no matter his age, Blanda always believed he could make the play—and more often than not, he did. His five-game heroics in 1970 remain one of the most incredible stretches of football ever played, and his role in revolutionizing the passing game with the Oilers still resonates in today’s NFL.

Few players have left a bigger imprint on professional football than George Blanda. His records may have been broken, but his legend will never fade.

This collection honors George Blanda, the ultimate iron man of football, the master of clutch performances, and the player who proved that greatness has no age limit.