25 best NFL players of all time from the SEC
By John Buhler
George Blanda
Quarterback/Kicker, Kentucky Wildcats
The late George Blanda had one of the most interesting NFL careers that rarely gets talked about anymore. He played professional football from 1949 to 1975, only taking one year off in 1959. Blanda is remembered for his role as a quarterback/kicker for the Chicago Bears, the Houston Oilers and the Oakland Raiders.
In college, Blanda played for Paul “Bear” Bryant’s Kentucky Wildcats. He would have an up-and-down working relationship with George Halas in Chicago. After being told he couldn’t play quarterback anymore, Blanda retired in 1958. Two years later, Blanda would go to Houston in the AFL and tear it up.
Statistically, Blanda would be considered a below-average NFL quarterback. However, his longevity and ability to kick at a high level made him a bit of a renaissance man in football for a record 26 seasons.
The versatility with which Blanda played football set him apart. He wasn’t the best player of his era, but it’s hard to not respect what he did on the gridiron for so many years. In a sport that is becoming specialized, was one of a kind.