George Blanda was a legendary American football quarterback and professional football player who played in both the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL).
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, and his legacy continues to be felt to this day.
Blanda’s net worth is a topic of interest to many fans of the sport, and there is much speculation about how much he was worth at the time of his death.
His annual salary was $1 million, which he earned during his time as a professional football player.
Blanda’s professional career began in 1949, and he played for several teams throughout his illustrious career, including the Chicago Bears, the Houston Oilers, and the Oakland Raiders.
He retired in 1975 at the age of 48, making him the oldest player in the history of the NFL.
Despite his impressive net worth, Blanda was known for his humble nature and his dedication to the sport of football.
He was a fierce competitor on the field, and his talent and skill helped him to achieve great success throughout his career.
Today, he is remembered as a true legend of the sport, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of football players and fans alike.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Career
George Blanda was born on September 17, 1927, in Youngwood, Pennsylvania, United States.
He was one of the several children of Michael and Mary Blanda.
His father worked as a coal miner and often found himself out of work when coal mines were closed.
Growing up in a large family as a coal miner’s son, George was no stranger to poverty.
However, despite his humble beginnings, Blanda went on to have a dazzling football career.
He played college football at the University of Kentucky, where he was a quarterback.
In 1949, Blanda was signed by the Chicago Bears for $600, an amount owner George Halas demanded back when he made the team.
Blanda was given a lucrative contract of $6,000, as the $600 was just a sign-on bonus.
Blanda played for the Chicago Bears from 1949 to 1958, during which time he established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
He then played for the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders of the American Football League from 1960 to 1975.
Blanda’s entire football career spanned an incredible 26 seasons, during which he played in 340 games, a record that stood until 2004.
Throughout his career, Blanda was known for his versatility, playing both as a quarterback and a kicker.
He established numerous records, including the most points scored (2,002), most points after touchdowns (943 of 959 attempted), and most seasons played (26).
In 1981, Blanda was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest football players of all time.
In terms of his net worth, George Blanda was a successful football player who earned a significant amount of money during his career.
Professional Career
George Blanda had a long and successful professional career in the field of football.
He played as both a quarterback and a kicker, and established several records throughout his career.
In this section, we will take a closer look at his achievements and records, as well as the teams and seasons he played for.
Achievements and Records
During his career, George Blanda accumulated impressive credentials.
He passed for 236 touchdowns and scored an incredible 2,002 points.
He also held several league records, including most pass attempts and most passing yards in a single season.
In addition, he won several awards, including the Bert Bell Award in 1961 and the AFL Most Valuable Player award in 1961 and 1967.
Teams and Seasons
George Blanda played for several teams throughout his career.
He began his career with the Chicago Bears in 1949, where he played as a backup quarterback and kicker.
He later played for the Baltimore Colts, Houston Oilers, and Oakland Raiders.
He was a key player for the Raiders during their AFL West Division championship seasons in 1967, 1968, and 1969.
Blanda played for a total of 26 seasons, which is a record for any professional football player.
He retired in 1976 at the age of 48, making him the oldest active player in the NFL at the time.
He was later inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1981 and was named to the AFL All-Time Team in 1970.
Personal Life
Family
George Blanda was born on September 17, 1927, in Youngwood, Pennsylvania, to parents of Slovak and Italian descent.
He had two brothers and a sister.
He married Betty Harris in 1949, and they remained together until his death in 2010.
They had three children: Leslie, Mary, and Betty. Michael Blanda, his grandson, played college football at the University of Florida.
Legacy
George Blanda is remembered not only for his football career but also for his longevity in the sport.
He played professionally for 26 seasons,retiring at the age of 48.
Blanda died on September 27, 2010, at the age of 83.
He was survived by his wife, Betty, and their children.
Blanda’s legacy in football is secure, as he is remembered as one of the greatest players of his era.
In addition to his football career, Blanda was also a successful businessman.
He owned a restaurant and bar in Chicago, and he was also a partner in a company that manufactured concrete products.
Overall, George Blanda’s personal life was marked by his devotion to his family and his success in both football and business.
He will always be remembered as an icon of the sport and a trailblazer for future generations of players.
Career Statistics
George Blanda is a legendary American football player who played both in the NFL and the AFL.
He was a versatile player who could play as a quarterback, kicker, and punter.
In his 26-year career, he played for four different teams and set several records.
Blanda’s career statistics are impressive.
He played in a total of 340 games, completing 1,911 passes out of 4,007 attempts.
He threw for 26,920 yards and 236 touchdowns.
He also rushed for 344 yards and nine touchdowns.
Blanda was known for his ability to make clutch plays, and he led his team to many victories in close games.
In addition to his quarterback skills, Blanda was also an excellent kicker.
He made 335 field goals out of 639 attempts, with a career-long of 55 yards.
He also made 943 extra point attempts out of 959 attempts.
Blanda’s kicking skills were especially important in the early years of his career, when he played for the Chicago Bears.
In 1953, he set an NFL record by kicking a 56-yard field goal, which stood for nine years.
He also kicked a game-winning field goal in the 1967 AFL Championship Game, which helped the Oakland Raiders secure their first Super Bowl appearance.
Overall, George Blanda’s career statistics demonstrate his versatility and longevity as a football player.
He was a key player on every team he played for, and his contributions to the game of football will always be remembered.
Net Worth and Income
George Blanda’s net worth is estimated to be $13 million.
He earned his fortune through his illustrious career as a professional football player, where he played both in the NFL and the AFL.
Blanda’s annual salary at the peak of his career was $1 million, a significant amount for his time.
He was one of the highest-paid players in the league and earned a reputation for his impressive skills as a quarterback and placekicker.
Throughout his career, Blanda also earned additional income through endorsements and sponsorships.
He was a popular figure in the sports world and was featured in various advertisements and promotional campaigns.
Blanda’s net worth continued to grow even after his retirement from football.
He made wise investments in real estate and other ventures, which helped him maintain his wealth over the years.
Overall, George Blanda’s net worth and income are a testament to his remarkable career as a professional football player and his astute business acumen.
Cultural Impact
George Blanda was a legendary American football player who held several records during his career.
Although he was primarily known as a quarterback and kicker, he also played on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker.
His contributions to the sport have made a lasting impact on football culture.
His longevity in the sport inspired many other players to pursue long careers, such as Brett Favre, who played for 20 seasons and broke many of Blanda’s records.
Blanda’s success as a kicker also inspired other kickers to improve their game.
He held the record for most points scored and most points after touchdowns until they were broken by John Carney and Lou Groza’s, respectively.
Blanda’s contributions to the sport were recognized with several awards and honors, including being named to the 2× Second-team All-Pro and being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His legacy continues to inspire football players and fans alike, and his impact on the sport will be remembered for generations to come.
Despite his accomplishments, Blanda remained humble and dedicated to the sport throughout his career.
His hair color and unique personality also made him a fan favorite, and he became a beloved figure in the football community.
Although Blanda never won a Super Bowl, his impact on the sport was far-reaching and has left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of football players.
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