THE AFL 1960–69: A RETROSPECTIVE
George Blanda Played, and Played, and Played Some More
When George Halas of the Bears quit on him, the quarterback/kicker found a new and long life in the AFL.
Following 10 mostly frustrating, bench-warming years with George Halas’ Chicago Bears, George Blanda retired from football following the 1958 season and took a job in a Chicago trucking firm.
“I went to all the Bears’ games and rooted for them to lose all season,” Blanda said of his miserable 1959 out of football. “At 31, I was out on the street, washed up, a has-been.”
Blanda figured his playing days were over, certainly in the NFL because teams surely figured that if the legendary Halas had no use for Blanda, why should they?
But prior to the 1960 football season, Blanda got a call from Bud Adams, owner of the Houston franchise in the fledgling American Football League.
Adams, starting a team from scratch, definitely had a use for Blanda and he asked him if he’d like to come to Houston and impart some of his vast knowledge on the Oilers. Blanda jumped at the chance to play again, and the opportunity to prove to old man Halas that he could still play quarterback.
Blanda gave the Oilers instant…
