A look back at George Blanda’s miracle 1970 season
By Jon Becker
Monday, September 27th, 2010 at 8:00 pm in Oakland Raiders.
Former Raiders great George Blanda, who died Monday at age 83, will always be remembered for an unbelievable five-week stretch of heroics in 1970.
Blanda’s feats landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Newsweek and Time, and prompted Raiders announcer Bill King to exclaim that the ageless wonder had been elected “King of the World.”
With the help of some Oakland Tribune archives, here’s a look back on that magical time in Oakland 40 years ago:
1. Oct. 25, 1970 at Oakland: RAIDERS 31, STEELERS 14
Blanda, then a 43-year-old kicker and backup quarterback, took over for starting quarterback Daryle Lamonica and threw three touchdown passes to lead the Raiders to a victory over the stunned Steelers. Archived Tribune game story.
2. Nov. 1, 1970 at Kansas City: RAIDERS 17, CHIEFS 17
Blanda’s 48-yard field goal barely clears the crossbar and the finger tips of the Chiefs’ 6-foot-9 Morris Stroud, who was positioned under the goal post in order to swat the kick away. Archived Tribune game story
3. Nov. 8, 1970 at Oakland Coliseum: RAIDERS 23, BROWNS 20
Blanda relieved Lamonica and threw a TD pass with 1:34 left to tie the game and then kicked the game-winning field goal with three seconds remaining that prompted King to call him “King of the World.” Archived Tribune game story
4. Nov. 15, 1970 at Denver: RAIDERS 24, BRONCOS 19
Coach John Madden summoned Blanda into the game for another crack at a mircle and George didn’t disappoint. He threw a 20-yard TD pass to Fred Biletnikoff with 2:28 left in the game to give the Raiders another come-from-behind victory. Archived Tribune game story.
5. Nov. 22, 1970 at Oakland Coliseum: RAIDERS 20, CHARGERS 17
The miracle worker story angle was getting nearly as old as Blanda himself by the time his 16-yard field goal with eight seconds left beat the Chargers. Archived Tribune game story.
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September 27th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
dead last
September 27th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Things will be ugly sunday…Houston by at least 30 in 3rd quarter,…boos throughout 4th.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Im goin in early, when kickers come out for their drills,..Im all over seabass,…if i get kicked out before game starts BFD.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
These boy’s need a lot of reassurance in here, if you think Grads is so special then that’s YOU I don’t.
I’ve said over and over again that JC LOOKED unsure of HIMSELF what else is there? He looke dlike he didn’t know what team he was playing for. THAT”S WHAT I SAW.
Now if it makes you feel better to describe it some other way YOU do it. No coach can play a QB who’s unsure of himself if he wants to keep his job. THAT”S WHY GRADS is playing IMO Campbell simple isn’t ready yet. Grads has more command everybody has said it over and over again
But you damn babies in here need it said every damn day to get it through your heads. Campbell needs time in this system with these players to get his timing down that is ALL………..period
September 27th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
If the Faiders had a qb like aaron rodgers we would be awesome,..possibly even go 8-8.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
TJ,..this is a new system,…and campbell has had more time to learn it then the polock,..call Gary tomorrow please.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
How did the Raiders lose 7 yards on an incomplete pass?
Can someone explain the rule on the lateral then forward pass that ruled incomplete?
September 27th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Actually a 7 yard loss is a designed play,..a Hue special….its in the playbook.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
I watched some of that season on television.
Blanda was amazing!
September 27th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Q: He usually does not kick on a Monday?
Cable: No.
……….
Again. this is a problem. He decides that maybe practice is a good plan AFTER BLOWING A GAME!
Did it ever occur to him that maybe some practice would keep him from blowing the game?
Stupid!
Who’s in charge of this circus clown sideshow?
September 27th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Thanks Jerry for the tribute to Blanda. Outstanding work. He was one of a kind. A true Raider. RIP.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Norco Bob
Why don’t You call him please…..
September 27th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
I do call him TJ,..did today…dont ya listen to his show?
September 27th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Just curious if anyone here actually remembers seeing Blanda play??
#8 LOL
September 27th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Urlacher is a f`n hardcore player…dudes the man.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
No I don’t Bob, I haven’t in a long time.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Norco Bob Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Dont count on it Tay,…
Houston 45
Chokeland 7
————————-
Houston 38
Oakland 15 (5 meaningless FG’s)
Ticker Tape parade for Jano!
September 27th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
So far Iv seen nothing from McLain…outside of a body slam penalty that lead to a Rams td that almost cost the raiders the only game they winning this year.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Let me change that prediction to 45-6…Janikowski will miss extra point.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
19. LOL
September 27th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Thank you lil Josh for trading Cutler.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Of course I saw him play plenty. Blanda was an Outstanding QB long before he came to the Raiders. He used to play for the old Houston Oilers.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
See Seabass?…just like that,..you loser.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Packers follow the Raiders recipe for losing…
1. Give up a return TD
2. Have a FG blocked (same as a miss)
3. Commit 17 penalties
Works every time
September 27th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
In 6 qtrs of football Grads scored 36 points.
In 6 qtrs of footbasll, Campbell scored 16.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
KoolKell has the sport’s version of turrette’s
September 27th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
A look back at George Blanda’s miracle 1970 season
——————————————-
I was there, one of my all-time fondest memories.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
That field goal at the end didn’t win that game for the Bears.
It was the 30 minutes played before that.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
They went at DHB 11 freaking times, he caught 3.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Instead of riding the Hot Running Back, Al Davis is still trying to justify DHB.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Instead of riding the Hot RB, like Jackson said he prefers, against a team giving up 155 yds per game on the ground.
Al Davis is trying to get his money out of DHB.
September 27th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I cant believe there are still people in here that think Jason Campbell is better than Gradkowski….. The Fact of the matter is… we would have lost to Ariz by 14 points or more, if Campbell would have played QB….
Gradkowski might not be GREAT… but J. Campbell gives me the impression he took notes watching jablubber last season…… No passion, No DRIVE….NO CONFIDENCE==== LOSER!!!!!
September 27th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Ans please dont let me get started on C. Schilens….. The guy is a FRICKEN porcelin glass DOLL!!
Cut his sorry ass and get a real wide receiver….
September 27th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
KK you are an IDIOT!! everything is Al Davis…………….get a clue fool.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
The problem with Grads is that he’s trying TOO hard to prove himself. You can see it out there. He’s been a backup and a journeyman his whole career and now he has a big shot and he’s trying to not be the hero.
I don’t care what Cable says, our o-line sucks. Good one play, head scratching the next. That’s not a good o-line.
Grads is running for his life every other play, his receivers are young and still learning how to run routes properly and consistently catch the ball, and so he is overcompensating and trying to make every play spectacular.
He just needs to settle down and not try to force everything and he will be fine. Fix the o-line, stop asking him to throw 40 times a game.
That’s on Hue Jackson to tailor the offense to the strengths and weaknesses of the team. He failed miserably yesterday.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Want to talk about a sh!t job of coaching, Mike McCarthy just wasted a critical timeout on a senseless challenge, then had his defense tackle the Bears on 3 consecutive plays inside the 5 yard line leaving them with only a ridiculous 800 lateral play on the kickoff to try to win the game.
If they let the Bears score they could’ve got the ball back with over a minute and a timeout. I think Rodgers hit like 99% of his passes in the 2nd half too. I would absolutely f-ing lose it if my team’s coach choked that terribly.
P.S. – I’m pissed because Rodgers and Jermichael Finley are on my fantasy team and I just lost by 3 points despite putting up a league 2nd-best 153 points this week. Between the Janikowski miss and now this, what a double kick to the groin two days of football for me.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
I hope SHANKOWSKI took notes on the bears game…. Thats how you convert an extra point…. You sorry piece of crap… You’re only good when were losing 35-3…. PATHETIC!!
September 27th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
* he’s trying TO be the hero.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
He threw the ball to ZM more often and should’ve scored 3 TD’s with him. DHB had his man beat several times and Grads couldn’t hit him. DMC carried the ball 25 times and should’ve caught 8 passes but the QB didn’t check it down he forced it to ZM, Murphy and DHB more than he should’ve.
What are you Al Davis’ illegitimate son? Stop whinning man. It’s the inexperienced QB.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Raider-DEE Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Ans please dont let me get started on C. Schilens….. The guy is a FRICKEN porcelin glass DOLL!!
Cut his sorry ass and get a real wide receiver….
——————-
You say it like the guy is scared to be on the field or something. Get an f-ing clue. Yeah, he’s had a rash of INJURIES and he may not ever overcome that. But it sure as hell doesn’t make him a “sorry ass” receiver.
Chaz is always willing to go into traffic and usually catches the ball when it’s thrown his way. There’s a big difference between being soft and being injury prone. One a guy can control, the other he really can’t. Randy Moss was soft for most of his Oakland tenure. Chaz has never played soft, his body has just broken down on him too many times.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
# priesttj Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
He threw the ball to ZM more often and should’ve scored 3 TD’s with him. DHB had his man beat several times and Grads couldn’t hit him. DMC carried the ball 25 times and should’ve caught 8 passes but the QB didn’t check it down he forced it to ZM, Murphy and DHB more than he should’ve.
What are you Al Davis’ illegitimate son? Stop whinning man. It’s the inexperienced QB.
______________________________________________________
You gotta hold Hue Jackson just as accountable. Grads made some poor reads but the play calling sucked. Especially in the red zone.
You can’t crucify the QB and say that he’s not ready to lead, and then let the men orchestrating the whole thing on the sidelines off of the hook.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
According to Cables logic with the O-line I’d say our Special teams coverage was outstanding, Gradkowski had one bad throw all game and Jano made 3 great kicks for 9 pts.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Priesttj Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
KK you are an IDIOT!! everything is Al Davis…………….get a clue fool.
——————————-
Your Mother is a skank! Clue dat.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
In 6 qtrs of football Grads scored 36 points.
In 6 qtrs of football, Campbell scored 16.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Come on Kell,..arent you a little old for skanky mom jabs?…Saki needed badly.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Chrus..
I’m tirired of making excuses for that bum… every fricken season. Hes a bum….. The guy gets fricken hurt with out anyone even touching his sorry ass!!
I’m tired of playing this politically correct crap. I’ll call it like i see it and let the chips fal… He’s a bum and so is janikowski… He misses them only when they count. Makes them when were outta the game… everyone knows…….
Schilens just does not have the make up to be a pro football player…. he’s injury prone. ok!!
September 27th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Chaz Schilens had noting to do with yesterday’s loss.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
i know kk… i’m just venting bro…
Please… Just let me vent… i’ll be ok!!
September 27th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Instead of riding the Hot RB, like Jackson said he prefers, against a team giving up 155 yds per game on the ground.
Al Davis is still trying to force DHB on the offense.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Kk your so dumb you don’t even know he gave more money to DMC……lol why isn’t he trying to justify that dumbell?
ArmChair the plays were all there to be made he couldn’t MAKE them……..period
September 27th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Just a lot of b.s….. yesterday I felt like kicking my 52′ Sony XBR… I WAS SO FRICKEN PISSED!!! I’m glad i did’nt!!! …..
September 27th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Priest
You’re an arse-kissing lackey.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
priesttj Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
He threw the ball to ZM more often and should’ve scored 3 TD’s with him. DHB had his man beat several times and Grads couldn’t hit him. DMC carried the ball 25 times and should’ve caught 8 passes but the QB didn’t check it down he forced it to ZM, Murphy and DHB more than he should’ve.
What are you Al Davis’ illegitimate son? Stop whinning man. It’s the inexperienced QB.
——————————
It’s the inexperienced QB?
You mean the QB that’s averaging 2.5 more yards per attempt than Campbell?
Or the guy who averaged 3.3 more yards per pass attempt than DMC on rushing attempts?
Or the guy who has the offense scoring 10 more ppg than the other QB?
Or the guy who led the offense down to chip-shot FG range for what was an as easy as it gets game-winning attempt yesterday?
Or the guy who should be 4-1 in his last 5 games for us?
Yeah, we’d be totally kicking azz right now if not for THAT guy.
Give me a break.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Priest..
Bro, were you hoping Gradkowski failed yesterday just to make JC look better…. Bro. I got news for you. J. Campbell STINKS ok
!!! He fricken stinks!! Get over it bro…!!! I would have more respect if you preferred Boller!!
September 27th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
#40-Priest he did all that and still had the team in a position where we should have won the game if the kicker had done his job and made one of 2 chip shot field goals(I’ll give him a pass on the 58 yd.).Didn’t you make the point last night that no one is perfect or plays a perfect game?
September 27th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Who hired Tom Cable as Head Coach?
September 27th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
See Chris..
I agree with you… Grads may not be GREAT… but he’s definitly better than Jamarcus Campbell!!
September 27th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Instead of riding the Hot RB, like Jackson said he prefers, against a team giving up 155 yds per game on the ground.
Al Davis is trying to get his money out of No way-Bey.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Raider-DEE Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Chrus..
I’m tirired of making excuses for that bum… every fricken season. Hes a bum….. The guy gets fricken hurt with out anyone even touching his sorry ass!!
I’m tired of playing this politically correct crap. I’ll call it like i see it and let the chips fal… He’s a bum and so is janikowski… He misses them only when they count. Makes them when were outta the game… everyone knows…….
Schilens just does not have the make up to be a pro football player…. he’s injury prone. ok!!
———————-
I understand the frustration and at some point the team has to decide whether or not to keep a guy around that gets hurt so much.
But it’s not like Schilens is dragging azz or sitting out with cramps. The dude has had to have multiple surgeries since the start of last season. Not much he can do about that so I don’t see the sense in disrespecting him and calling him out.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Looking at the remaining schedule, it’s another 4-12.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
KK your lights are getting dim…….yet you keep swinging at the air. Gotta give you credit at least you try……lol
September 27th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Priest,
Again you dont know schytt about football for all your claims. It was you that said this season Jawalrus would take the starting job back and Grad couldnt carry his jocks. WTF happened?
So please dont give me this shcytt about Campbell getting his timing down. It is about leading men when you are the QB. Sliding short of the first aint going to earn anyone’s respect.
Yesterday, the Cards forced the team to win with DHB. That is why he was mostly covered 1 on 1 and why Grad made the read to go to him. I’m sorry but didnt DHB miss a ball to start the game yesterday. Oh BTW, you probably chose to ignore that DHB decided to coast on that PI and then realized the ball went to him. Had he ran full speed maybe at least he gets his hands on the ball but prob drop it too.
The Cards forced the offense to rely on DHB but good old Hue never made the adjustments. Plain and simple. They took our 2 best receivers out by double teaming and then Hue decided to take out DMAC by not going to him. Plain and simple.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
KoolKell Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Looking at the remaining schedule, it’s another 4-12.
———————————
I disagree. I know ripping Al Davis is like viagara to you, but I think with Bruce Almighty in there we could still be in the 9-7 mix, if not better.
This is a better team than we’ve seen in awhile. Trust me. The o-line is still the biggest area of concern but if we could ever straighten that out we could go toe-to-toe with anyone.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Chris..
I would have hoped that the brain trust w/ the raiders would have understood that this guy will never be the guy they expect him to be. Remember last yr??? We were supposed to be a much better team w/ him….Whatta bunch of bull!! The guy is just too FRAGILE!! We should have picked up a legit EXPERIENCED wide receiver during the off season……. I dont see any of our Wide Receivers ever making the pro bowl…. it’s the TRUTH!! Z. Miller is GREAT but he’s a tide end!!
September 27th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Real Madden Raider is right.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Grads aint much Bro he smells understand sissy he smells.
I get tired of you crybabies every criticism I make of Grads you run to defend him by bringing up Campbell. Campbell has NOTHING to do with it. Grads can’t say, hey coach at least I’m better than Campbell…He has to do it on his OWN merit. Stop making Campbell responsible for Grads so you can use him as an excuse for Grads.
So what he’s better than Campbell I couldn’t give a damn, that doesn’t do it for me. We didn’t win because HE couldn’t WIN IT…..period
September 27th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
We’ll be 7 and 9 this season!!
The Pats will picke 10th and 25th…Guess wich pick is our’s???
September 27th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Priest,
did Grad put the team in position to win yesterday? yes or no?
for all of his extended plays, there was only one game where he did not put the team in position to win. Yes or No?
September 27th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
4-12 Kell?…wherew the F we gettin 3 more wins????
September 27th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Priest…
You wont be happy until JC is back in there not knowing what to do. The guy does not exude confidence bro. He lets go of the rock too late and has a hard time moving the team downfield……
You wont admit it. But deep down you know Grads. is better!! JC needs leadership skills.. Too TIMID, AFRAID, UNSURE….. We dont need a guy at QB like that.. specially with this BAD offensve line!!
September 27th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
The defender arm barred DHB the whole way down the field.It is impossible to say DHB didn’t run full out on the play.That is something someone who doesn’t like DHB said-someone who would rather say they were correct than have a player they dislike succeed.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Every excuse is better than NONE, this is why Grads can’t do it. That is why. Hell tell me what HE can do stop telling why he couldn’t do it.
Either he can or he can’t………..period
September 27th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Raider-DEE Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Chris..
I would have hoped that the brain trust w/ the raiders would have understood that this guy will never be the guy they expect him to be. Remember last yr??? We were supposed to be a much better team w/ him….Whatta bunch of bull!! The guy is just too FRAGILE!! We should have picked up a legit EXPERIENCED wide receiver during the off season……. I dont see any of our Wide Receivers ever making the pro bowl…. it’s the TRUTH!! Z. Miller is GREAT but he’s a tide end!!
————————
I don’t know. In the past I would’ve agreed with you, but I think with good QB play these guys could be alright. DHB is vastly improved from last year. Still has a ways to go but he’s got the athleticism and he’s committed and has already improved.
Murphy is averaging better than 120 ypg since Gradkowski took over. Right now he’s 9th in the AFC in yards despite getting very few in the 6 quarters when Campbell was in there.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Seriously? One of the greatest Raiders of all time dies and all you guys can do is play grab-ass in the comments? I am disgusted. Go root for the Niners.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Priest…
You’re right bro.. Grads doesnt have the height the arm stregnth or the experience. But he has the leadership attributes that Campbell lacks!! Thats all!! That is it!!! Gradkowski moves the team, somthing JC does not do bro, Cant you see it?? JEEEZ!!
September 27th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Raider-DEE Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
We’ll be 7 and 9 this season!!
The Pats will picke 10th and 25th…Guess wich pick is our’s???
——————
Bold prediction: we finish with a better record than the Pasties this year. They just gave up 30 to Buffalo after getting handled by the Jets. They’re not all that and I’ve gotta believe they wish they never made that Seymour trade right now.
Raiders, 10-6
Pats, 8-8
September 27th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
“WE didn’t win because he couldn’t win it”.You may be correct,he didn’t win it,but he didn’t lose it either.This is a team game and 1 person didn’t do their job yesterday which cost us the game-our FG kicker-who missed not 1 but 2 chip shot FGs.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Chris,,,
No bro…. the pats will probaby make the play offs. we might win 6 more
September 27th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
new post ladies…
September 27th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Dont know why you guys are so gloom and doom.
We will split between SD and Houston. Bruce scored easily on SF’s first unit. Please dont tell me we are scared of Denver, Seattle and KC. We have at least split with KC and Denver with Jawalrus the last 2 years. Seattle has nothing but spec team to win yesterday’s game. Had Jano made it the FG yesterday I would have said we will go 5-1 in the next 6 games.
But since we are at 1-2, I predict we will go 3-3 in the next 6 games so long as Al Davis doesnt force JC back in there.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
# KoolKell Says:
September 27th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Looking at the remaining schedule, it’s another 4-12.
######################
why you repeat the same comment?
September 28th, 2010 at 8:28 am
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