MKRob Sports

Oakland Raiders great George Blanda passed away Monday at the age of 83.

The Raiders organization released a statement Monday afternoon, confirming the news. Owner Al Davis presented for Blanda at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981, where he called Blanda the greatest clutch player the game of pro football has ever known.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of the great George Blanda. George was a brave Raider and a close personal friend of Raiders Owner Al Davis. The Miracle of George Blanda in 1970 will live for eternity in the history of the Raiders as well as all of professional football.

“That year, Blanda’s last-minute heroics as a quarterback and place kicker resulted in four victories and a last second tie for the Silver and Black,” the statement read. “Our heart goes out to his wife Betty and the Blanda family and we grieve with them.”

The “ageless wonder” spent the last nine seasons of his career with the Raiders in the dual-role of quarterback/ kicker before finally retiring at the age of 48 in 1976. He still holds the record for being the oldest player to participate in an NFL game.

Blanda sealed his legend in Raiders history with a remarkable stretch of game-winning heroics during the 1970 season. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1967 when he took the Silver and Black to Super Bowl II, where they lost to Green Bay.

Blanda played in 224 straight games and 340 overall, passing for 26,920 yards and 236 touchdowns.