September 28, 2010

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    a a a blanda 1

    The Daily News

    1   So...George Blanda walks into a bar...

    2   Great Raider, one of the best ever. Famous for having come out of retirement and lead the team as an aging back-up quarterback who basically took the 1970 Raiders to the playoffs. Similar to Brett Favre, only not as ridiculous. Blanda played into his late forties, and was always a class act.

    3   Even when I hated the Raiders, I still loved George.

    4   I no longer hate the Raiders, and in fact, I find myself rooting for them like crazy lately.

    5   And I loved George not because he has my given name, but because he was a fighter. Just an inspirational human being.

    6   We'll miss you, Mr. Blanda. You always were a class act, and an exciting player in your old age.

    7   Guys like that I revere. Here's an article about Blanda written my me old chum and confidant Brian Daley:

    George Blanda and his magic 1970 season

    By Brian Daley

    SF Cable TV Examiner

    • September 27th, 2010 7:59 pm PT
     
    George Blanda
    Photo: google images

    George Blanda played in an NFL record 26 seasons, and although he rewrote the record book in terms of longevity, longtime Oakland Raider fans will remember him most for his incredible 1970 season, when Blanda accounted for the winning or tying points in the final moments of five consecutive games. Blanda, who spent nine of his 26 pro-football years with the Raiders, died earlier this week at the age of 83.

    After playing college football at the University of Kentucky, George Blanda played his first of 340 pro-football games with the Chicago Bears in 1949. Blanda spent ten seasons in Chicago, primarily as a backup quarterback, but also serving as the team’s placekicker. George Blanda retired after the 1958 season, but was lured back to football in 1960 by the Houston Oilers of the brand new American Football League. Blanda led the Oilers to the first two AFL titles, and was named AFL player of the year for 1961, a season which saw him throw 36 touchdown passes, a pro-football record at that time.

    Blanda’s career seemed finished in 1967 when the Oilers released the soon to be 40 veteran, but the Oakland Raiders gave him a new lease on life, signing him as their placekicker, and backup quarterback to Daryl Lamonica. Blanda responded by leading the AFL in scoring in 1967, and proved more than capable in the reserve quarterback role. By 1970, however, the Raiders had a new potential second string quarterback in Ken Stabler, and Blanda, nearing 43, was released during the pre-season. But shortly before opening weekend, Blanda was reactivated, and his miracle season began.

    The 1970 Oakland Raiders struggled the first month of the season, and entered their October 25th game against Pittsburg with a 2-2-1 record. Coming off the bench to replace an injured Daryl Lamonica, George Blanda threw three touchdown passes to help defeat the Steelers 31-14. The following week in Kansas City, Blanda kicked a 48 yard field goal to preserve a 17-17 tie against the Chiefs. On November 8th, Blanda provided what was probably his signature heroics in a game against Cleveland. Trailing the Browns 20-13, Oakland again turned to Blanda after Lamonica was hurt late in the fourth quarter. Tying the game with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Warren Wells, Blanda won the game with a 53 yard field goal with eight seconds left. The following week, Lamonica was injured yet again, allowing Blanda to save the day once more, hitting Fred Biletnikoff with a touchdown toss to beat the Denver Broncos, 24-19. On November 22, Blanda was called on one more time, and he delivered with a 16 yard field goal to beat the San Diego Chargers, 20-17. The Raiders won the 1970 AFC Western Division title with an 8-4-2 record.

    The 1970 AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Colts saw Blanda again relieving Lamonica, and although Blanda completed 17 out of 32 passes for two touchdowns, a pair of late interceptions allowed the Colts to prevail, 27-17. Despite the loss, Blanda was awarded the Bert Bell Award, presented annually the pro-football player of the year. Blanda retired after the 1975 season, finishing with over 2,000 points, 236 touchdown passes and 26,920 passing yards. George Blanda also holds the distinction of being the oldest quarterback to start in a title game, and the oldest person to play in an NFL game (48 years, 109 days). In 1981, George Blanda was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

    8   I never got a chance to meet Blanda, even though Brian's father used to cover the Raiders for the San Francisco Examiner many years ago. The Daley house always had sports' celebs coming and going, so it was fun for us as kids.

    9   George Blanda showed all of us that with a proper work ethic, anybody can remain on top of their game and still get the job done.

    10  Well, almost anybody.

    11  Moving on, Part the Second:  Speakng of which, Niners sent offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye packing, which is sad, to a degree, but he truly was working past his prime. Blanda still managed to get things done, in almost a miraculous way. It can be done, but it must be done through true hard work, and realizing that the knocks are still going to come fast and furious.

    12  Right now, I am working as hard as I have ever worked, and turned the corner on grading papers. I also face many challenges this year, but in no way do I feel anything but electricity every second I'm in the classroom.

    13   I do this because I still work as hard as I ever, have added fifteen units to an upgrade in my educational resume, and still go in every single day as passionate and intense as ever.

    14   So far it's been working. It's a challenge, but rather than resting on whatever cheap laurels I might have, I spend hours upon hours thinking, organizing, and staying on top of my game.

    15   I spend hours upon hours on weekends thinking, changing, grading, and getting more sleep than ever so that each day I'm fresh and ready. I work long hours on the weekends to stay on top of things, and this year I've learned how to get over eight hours of sleep, something I haven't been able to muster over the years. I'm getting more rest, going to sleep early and waking up early.

    16   VERY tough year, but so far, so good.

    17   I'm blessed that I work in a school that desperately NEEDS input from an Old Brown Shoe who is still bringing it each day.

    18   As I said, it ain't easy. It is more intense work than I've ever attempted, and I do feel that it is working.

    19   Are there challenges?

    20   Nah. Not a one.

    21 

    a a dog

    22   Okay, the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" Every single day is a challenge, as every single day is for anyone working passionately at their job.

    23   But I also love when something breaks through.

    24   I'm not trying to pat myself on the back here. I just know that I have poured my heart into my work these past two years. You know when you are getting it done, and it is STILL one of the hardest jobs in the world, despite what the public might think.

    25   And the fact that I go in every single day LOVING it makes it all worthwhile.

    26   I never wanted to be one of those old geezers who hides behind the union and leaves at 3. Won't ever happen with this boy, never.

    27   Too many successes over the years, many the result of the love that many DN readers threw my way over the years.

    28   I thank all of you for keeping me up on my game.

    29   Emotional stuff, but also electric stuff!

    30   Last night I beat down almost an entire ream of papers. Doesn't sound like much, does it?

    31   But if we consider a summer of building an entire backyard garden for Caitlin's engagement party, and then "segueing" into the school year, I haven't stopped working myself into a tizzy until last night at around 9 p.m.!

    32   The huge stack of papers I had to read three weeks ago is now around a quarter of an inch in height. I spent hours and hours reading, correcting, grading, planning, and enjoying, and I am enjoying teaching more now than I ever have!

    33   Dear Gawd. I think back on my last year at YB, and I was into a tailspin. I was depressed beyond all measure, and had a really tough sixth period class. Life told me to change direction, and I think I left at just the right time. I was getting beat up and slammed around everywhere I turned. It was time. And suddenly, I am resting, spinning, planning, crafting, and enjoying my time up at the Chill.

    34   I honestly don't want this to sound like bragging. It's just that I finally turned the corner on this school year. I've been working morning, noon, and night, and it just seemed I wasn't getting there. So it's more like a night that I could pump my fists in the air and say,"Yeah!" We've all had those moments.

    35   It's okay to share hard work, right?

    36   Last night I didn't even think I'd make the deadline, and today it looks like everything is twinkling! So you know how it is when suddenly you get that "break through" on something that has bugged you for around three months?

    37   Yesterday I had a surge. I had a terrible moment in class where I had to throw a kid out of class and blast him for being disruptive, AND I had to take time out of my ridiculous deadline to write a referral on the poor kid.

    38   Oh, he deserved a referral, but he was SO over the top that I had to take action.

    39   And I really hope the kid turns around, because I could tell that deep down, he's just a kid who is obviously hurting. But his behaviors since he joined my class have been totally beyond normal. He clearly is hurting inside, and it killed me to write him up and to berate him, but I had no choice.

    40   My heart cries for the poor kid. But his behaviors were so disruptive and inconsiderate of the other students that I had to send him out and follow with a referral that took me almost an hour to scratch out.

    41   Admittedly it took me out of my game, but I knew I had to get back in there, teach two more classes, and finish grading, never mind come up with vigorous lesson plans for today.

    42   So no, not bragging at all. It has been a huge struggle this first six weeks, and in fact, these past three months, but last night I turned the corner!

    43   I was able to gather it all together for the last two classes, then go home beat-up and somehow manage to finish the job.

    44   It all worked, so hopefully by this weekend, I'll be free of all papers, planning, and all the rest!

    45   My hope is that not only will I do that, but that I can help that poor kid. If he is THAT over the top, then he needs intervention.

    46   Anyway, that is my day in the life yesterday. Major break-through!

    47    Today I fully intend to get every single thing graded and into the computer by Wednesday, and then go coastal.

    48    Hope this didn't come across as too self-indulgent, but this was a MAJOR breakthrough for the entire year, so I am celebrating with ice lemon water and Cheez-Its!

    49   Anyway, I'm burnt but hopeful, and I can't wait to go in today and take on the world. The world deserves it. I't gotten a tad beaten down too.

    50   I love you all, everything. Thank all of you for helping me get through it. It's been a tough go, but finally! For those of you who have followed the DN for years, I bring you once more the immortal Chaplinesque, by Hart Crane. Just seems appropriate:

    Chaplinesque

    by Hart Crane

    We make our meek adjustments,
    Contented with such random consolations
    As the wind deposits
    In slithered and too ample pockets.

    For we can still love the world, who find
    A famished kitten on the step, and know
    Recesses for it from the fury of the street,
    Or warm torn elbow coverts.

    We will sidestep, and to the final smirk
    Dally the doom of that inevitable thumb
    That slowly chafes its puckered index toward us,
    Facing the dull squint with what innocence
    And what surprise!

    And yet these fine collapses are not lies
    More than the pirouettes of any pliant cane;
    Our obsequies are, in a way, no enterprise.
    We can evade you, and all else but the heart:
    What blame to us if the heart live on.

    The game enforces smirks; but we have seen
    The moon in lonely alleys make
    A grail of laughter of an empty ash can,
    And through all sound of gaiety and quest
    Have heard a kitten in the wilderness.
     

     

     

     


     a a a blanda 4 chaplin

     

    51   The figher still remains. Have a GREAT Tuesday.

    52   Peace.

    ~H~

    a cool guy 1

    www.xanga.com/bharrington

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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