(AP) ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders say Hall of Fame quarterback George Blanda has died. He was 83.

A Raiders' spokesman confirmed the death Monday. The team is expected to release a statement later Monday.

Blanda spent 26 seasons in the NFL as a quarterback and kicker while playing for three different teams. He spent 10 seasons with Chicago, seven with the Houston Oilers and nine with the Raiders before retiring in 1976 at the age of 48.

Blanda was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 1, 1981.

Rest in Peace #16.

Well this sucks. Remember watching him as a kid. It was toward the end of his career and he was one of the last dinosaurs (straight on kicker). He actually got to come back in at QB in one of the games I watched. By the end of his career he was pretty much just doing the kicking.

RIP

^^^that was my memory of him as a kid....kicker for the Raiders and the reputation as the games oldest player...

but he had a whole career before that, and a dam fine one, at that...

I mean, starting in 1949 and retiring in the 70's...could anyone have seen more changes in professional football over the course of a career?

By the way, RIP Houston Oilers...one very fine franchise with a great history.

Remember him kicking a 55 yarder at the gun to beat the Browns circa 1973....and that was when 50 plus yard kicks were never made.

At the time of his retirement he was the career leader in points scored.

Another Hall of Famer from western P.A.

RIP George