Winter Premier Auction 2017

1970 was George Blanda’s twenty-first season in professional football. Now into his forties, Oakland released Blanda before the season began, but showing the super-human determination that made him a Hall of Famer, he came back and replaced the injured Daryle Lamonica. Blanda embarked on a five game onslaught the likes of which had never been seen before or since. Alternating between quarterback and kicker, Blanda almost single-handedly fought the Chiefs to a tie and then defeated the Browns, Broncos and Chargers to carry the Raiders to the AFC championship game. Coming off the bench as the oldest quarterback to play in a championship game, the 43 year-old Blanda threw two touchdowns for 217 yards and then kicked a 48 yard field goal. A pair of interceptions eventually cost the Raiders the game, but Blanda’s remarkable 1970 run remains one of the most impressive “against all odds” accomplishments in the history of pro football. As a nod to his remarkable achievement, the Committee of 101 named Oakland’s ageless quarterback AFC’s Offensive Player of the Year. Formed in 1969, the Committee of 101 is made up of 101 sportswriters and sportscasters, and George Blanda was their second-year recipient. The monumental 14” tall award features two players frozen in mid-tackle atop a 9 1/4” x 6” base upon which “A SALUTE TO THE MEN OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL BY THE COMMITTEE OF 101 OF THE CHIEFS CLUB OF KANSAS CITY” is embossed. The opposite side has an engraved plaque which reads “GEORGE BLANDA  OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR  AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE  1970”. The award shows some wear from age with some slight scuffing and chips on its surface. A slight piece of the left top corner of the base on the embossed inscription side has been damaged and the finish repaired. A stunning piece awarded to commemorate one of the most remarkable come-backs in professional sports.