George Blanda
Sportspersons

George Blanda Net Worth

George Blanda was an American Football Player who was born on September 19, 2017 in Youngwood, Pennsylvania, United States. He was the only player to have played 26 seasons of professional football in the history of American football, earning him the nickname 'The Grand Old Man'. He began his football career as a quarterback and kicker at the University of Kentucky, and then signed a contract with the Chicago Bears where he was used mostly as a kicker. After his contract ended, he joined the Houstan Oilers and was given the opportunity to play as both a quarterback and a kicker, which helped him become the AFL Player of the Year. He was a highly talented player, blessed with an uncanny sense of football techniques and a high energy level, and set numerous records over the course of his long career.
George Blanda is a member of Sportspersons

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? American Football Player
Birth Day September 19, 2017
Birth Place Youngwood, Pennsylvania, United States
Age 3 YEARS OLD
Died On September 27, 2010
Birth Sign Libra
Position: Quarterback, placekicker
Born: (1927-09-17)September 17, 1927 Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Died: September 27, 2010(2010-09-27) (aged 83) Alameda, California
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
High school: Youngwood (PA)
College: Kentucky
NFL Draft: 1949 / Round: 12 / Pick: 119
TD–INT:Passing yards:Completion percentage:Passer rating:Field goals:Extra points: TD–INT: 236–277 Passing yards: 26,920 Completion percentage: 47.7 Passer rating: 60.6 Field goals: 335/639 (52.4%) Extra points: 943/959 (98.3%) 236–27726,92047.760.6335/639 (52.4%)943/959 (98.3%)
TD–INT: 236–277
Passing yards: 26,920
Completion percentage: 47.7
Passer rating: 60.6
Field goals: 335/639 (52.4%)
Extra points: 943/959 (98.3%)

💰 Net worth: $15 Million (2024)

George Blanda is widely recognized as a legendary American football player hailing from the United States. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be a staggering $15 million. Blanda's notable career spanned an impressive 26 years, during which he played as a quarterback and placekicker for various teams in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). His outstanding contributions and iconic moments in football have undoubtedly propelled him to the status of a successful and well-regarded sports figure, solidifying his substantial net worth.

Biography/Timeline

1947

Blanda was the starting quarterback his last two seasons at Kentucky (1947–1948), compiling 120 completions in 242 passes (49.6 percent completions), 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns.

1949

Blanda was married to Betty Harris from December 17, 1949 until his death on September 27, 2010, ten days after his 83rd birthday. They had two children. Blanda was the son of a Slovak-born Pittsburgh-area coal miner.

1956

The 1970s TV series Happy Days was set in 1950s Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the Season 3 episode "Football Frolics", Richie Cunningham (played by Ron Howard) and Ralph Malph (Donny Most) are watching the November 9, 1956, Chicago Bears – Chicago Cardinals televised game. After Ed Brown's pass to Harlon Hill is intercepted by the Cardinals, Richie wants "the other quarterback" put in. Ralph says that quarterback is "washed up. He's old. He's 30. He's got no Future." Richie argues back, "George Blanda has two or three good years left." The joke was that Blanda, 19 years later at the time of the show's filming, was still playing.

1958

Blanda retired after the 1958 NFL season because of Halas' insistence on only using him as a kicker, but returned in 1960 upon the formation of the American Football League. He signed with the Houston Oilers as both a quarterback and kicker. He was derided by the Sports media as an "NFL Reject", but he went on to lead the Oilers to the first two league titles in AFL history, and he was the All-AFL quarterback and won AFL Player of the Year honors in 1961. During that season, he led the AFL in passing yards (3,330) and touchdown passes (36). His 36 touchdown passes in 1961 were the most ever thrown by any NFL/AFL quarterback in a single season, until matched by Y. A. Tittle of the NFL New York Giants two years later in 1963. Blanda's and Tittle's mark remained the record until surpassed by Dan Marino's 48 touchdown passes in 1984. Blanda's 42 interceptions thrown in 1962 is a record that still stands.

1962

Blanda was the first ever recorded fantasy football draft pick when the game was first created in 1962 by The Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League.

1964

During 1962, he had two 400-yard passing days for the Oilers: a 464-yard effort against the Buffalo Bills on October 29, with four touchdown passes (winning 28–16); and 418 yards three weeks later against the Titans of New York, this time with seven touchdown passes in a 49–13 victory. Blanda passed for 36 touchdowns that season. On 13 occasions, he connected on four or more touchdown passes during a game, and on November 1, 1964, unleashed 68 passes for Houston against the Buffalo Bills.

1967

In 1967, during Blanda's first season with the Raiders, his kicking skills helped him lead the AFL in scoring with 116 points. In two instances, his leg helped play a role in Raider victories: a trio of field goals helped upset the defending league champion Kansas City Chiefs on October 1; in the closing weeks of the regular season, Blanda booted four field goals behind a hostile Houston crowd in a 19–7 victory over his former team, the Oilers, helping gain a measure of revenge.

1970

In 1970, Blanda was released during the exhibition season, but bounced back to establish his 21st professional season. During that season, Blanda, at age 43, had a remarkable five-game run. Against the Steelers, Blanda threw for three touchdowns in relief of an injured Daryle Lamonica. One week later, his 48-yard field goal with three seconds remaining salvaged a 17–17 tie with the Kansas City Chiefs. On November 8, he again came off the bench to throw a touchdown pass to tie the Cleveland Browns with 1:34 remaining, then kicked a 53-yard field goal with 0:03 left for the 23–20 win. Immediately after the winning field goal, Raiders radio announcer Bill King excitedly declared, "George Blanda has just been elected King of the World!" In the team's next game, Blanda replaced Lamonica in the fourth quarter and connected with Fred Biletnikoff on a touchdown pass with 2:28 left in the game to defeat the Denver Broncos, 24–19. The following week, Blanda's 16-yard field goal in the closing seconds defeated the San Diego Chargers, 20–17.

1971

Blanda broke Lou Groza's career scoring record in 1971, a record he held until 2000 when it was broken by Gary Anderson.

1976

He played in his last game at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium on January 4, 1976, at age 48, in the 1975 AFC Championship Game, in which he kicked a 41-yard field goal and made one extra point as the Raiders lost to the Steelers 16–10.

1981

He is the placekicker on the All-Time All-AFL Team, and was one of only 20 players to play all ten years of the AFL, as well as one of only three who were in every AFL game their teams played. Blanda was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981, his first year of eligibility, and also was inducted into the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame.

1985

U.S. Route 119 in Blanda's hometown of Youngwood, Pennsylvania was renamed George Blanda Boulevard in 1985.

1999

In 1999, Blanda was ranked number 98 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

2004

Blanda held the record for most professional football games played with 340 until September 26, 2004, when it was broken by another placekicker, Morten Andersen as well as the record for most consecutive games played until September 26, 1976 by defensive end Jim Marshall. His 114 postseason points were an NFL record at the time of his retirement.

2007

Blanda finished his 26 professional football seasons having completed 1,911 of 4,007 pass attempts for 26,920 yards and 236 touchdowns. Blanda also held the NFL record for most interceptions thrown with 277, until Brett Favre broke it on October 14, 2007. He rushed for 344 yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground, kicked 335 of 641 field goals, and 943 of 959 extra points, giving him 2,002 total points. Additional stats include 1 interception, 2 kickoff returns for 19 yards, 22 punts for 809 yards, and 23 fumble recoveries.

2010

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Blanda died after a "short illness" on September 27, 2010. He was 83 years old. A moment of silence was held in Blanda's honor prior to the start of the September 27, 2010 game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, from Soldier Field.

2013

In later years, Blanda remained a strong supporter of AFL heritage, saying: "That first year, the Houston Oilers or Los Angeles Chargers (24–16 losers to the Oilers in the title game) could have beaten the NFL champion (Philadelphia) in a Super Bowl." Blanda said further: "I think the AFL was capable of beating the NFL in a Super Bowl game as far back as 1960 or '61. I just regret we didn't get the chance to prove it."

Some George Blanda images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.