The Early Years - George Blanda Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

GeoCrater: I am regretfully archiving this cache as the land owner / manager has contacted us and has requested the cache be removed from this location. The management of the lands on which this cache is located has changed from the BLM to the Reno Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) - Hungry Valley Lands. They do not wish any geocaches within their managed lands. The boundary of the now off-limit area may be found here: https://rsic.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=fa51ea467ab646fe8bb1a1ad72f64edf

I would ask that you visit the location of your cache and remove the physical container at the earliest possible time.

Thanks for understanding,

GeoCrater
Community Volunteer Reviewer for Geocaching.com
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Hidden : 7/27/2010
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:


The Oakland Raiders began play in 1960 as part of the American Football League, before the merger with the NFL. During this period, each one of these players played for the Raiders at one time.

This is not a power trail. There are not roads to every cache and driving offroad is prohibited. As you'll see, there have been fires in this area over the years and it wouldn't be good to burn this valley in the name of geocaching.

Remember, everyone plays the game their own way ... cut and paste logs are very encouraged!



During his first season, his kicking skills helped him lead the AFL in scoring with 116 points. In two instances, his leg helped play a role in Raider victories: a trio of field goals helped upset the defending league champion Kansas City Chiefs on October 1; in the closing weeks of the regular season, Blanda booted four field goals behind a hostile Houston crowd in a 19-7 victory over his former team, the Oilers, helping gain a measure of revenge.

The Raiders went on to compete in Super Bowl II, but the following two seasons ended in heartbreak as they lost the final two AFL Championship games in the 10-year history of the league.

In 1970, Blanda was released during the preseason, but bounced back to establish his 21st professional season as one of the more dramatic comebacks in sports history. Beginning with the October 25 game at Pittsburgh, Blanda put together five straight clutch performances.

Against the Steelers, Blanda threw for three touchdowns in relief of an injured Daryle Lamonica. One week later, his 48-yard field goal with three seconds remaining salvaged a 17-17 tie with the Kansas City Chiefs. Repeating the thrilling finish on November 8, Blanda once again came off the bench to throw for a touchdown pass to tie the Cleveland Browns with 1:34 remaining, then kicked a 53-yard field goal with 0:03 left for the 23-20 win. In the team's next game, Blanda replaced Lamonica in the fourth quarter and connected with Fred Biletnikoff on a touchdown pass with 2:28 left in the game to defeat the Denver Broncos, 24-19. The incredible streak concluded one week later when Blanda's 16-yard field goal in the closing seconds defeated the San Diego Chargers, 20-17.

In the AFC title game against the Baltimore Colts, Blanda again relieved an injured Lamonica and had a superb performance, completing 17 of 32 passes for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns while also kicking a 48-yard field goal and two extra points, keeping the Raiders in the game until the final quarter, when he was intercepted twice. Aged 43, he became the oldest quarterback ever to play in a championship game and was one of the few remaining straight-ahead kickers in the NFL.

Blanda's eye-opening achievements resulted in his winning the Bert Bell Award. Chiefs' owner Lamar Hunt quipped, "Why, this George Blanda is as good as his father, who used to play for Houston." Although he never again played a major role at quarterback, Blanda would serve as the Raiders' kicker for five more seasons.

He played in his last game at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium on January 4, 1976, at age 48, in the 1975 AFC Championship Game, where he kicked a 41-yard field goal and made one extra point as the Raiders lost to the Steelers 16-10.

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