The Indianapolis Colts’ signing of 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers the other day rekindled memories of a Browns game against the host Oakland Raiders just over 55 years ago, on Nov. 8, 1970.
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Ageless George Blanda, then 43, came on at quarterback in relief of a struggling Daryle Lamonica and led the Raiders to a 23-20 comeback victory. He threw a touchdown pass and, in also being the kicker, he booted the game-winning field goal of 52 yards — a long, long way back then — in the closing seconds.
Blanda became the oldest player in NFL history at 48 when he finished his 28-year career in 1976, the season the Raiders won their first Super Bowl title.
That 1970 loss to the Raiders was really costly for the Browns, who, in what was Blanton Collier’s final year as head coach, finished 7-7 and just a game behind the champion Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) in the first season of the AFC Central.
Blanda also played with the Houston Oilers and Chicago Bears, with whom he began his career in 1949.
He was with the Bears when they played a historic game against the defending NFL champion Browns — and kicker/left tackle Lou Groza, who would turn out to be their oldest player — in Cleveland on Nov. 25, 1951.
The Browns won 42-21 as running back Dub Jones tied an NFL record that still stands by scoring six touchdowns — four rushing and two receiving. Sharing the record with him are Gayle Sayers of the Bears and Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals (against the Bears).
Groza, who retired in 1967 at 43 after playing 21 seasons with the Browns, kicked all six extra points. Blanda did not see any action at quarterback but did boot two of the Bears’ three extra points.
This is also the most penalty-marred game in Browns history. They were flagged 21 times, a record, and the Bears 16 times (tied for the third-most by an opponent) for a record combined total of 37 penalties. Also setting records was the penalty yardage by the Browns (209), the 165 by the Bears (most by an opponent) and the combined total (374).
Let’s hope that Sunday’s game in Chicago doesn’t deteriorate into that.
Steve King
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