Posted on 04/22/2022 6:35:59 AM PDT by JonPreston
Daryle Lamonica, a legendary Raiders quarterback who led the franchise to its first Super Bowl berth, has died at the age of 80. The Fresno County Sherriff's said Lamonica died at his Fresno, California, home on Thursday morning. The death is considered to be from natural causes.
One of the greatest players in AFL history, Lamonica was nicknamed "The Mad Bomber" for his affinity for throwing deep passes. He was named league MVP in 1967, the year he led the Raiders to a league title.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbssports.com ...
That kind of football is long gone.
What I remember most about Lamonica is that Raider’s coach John Madden pulled him on Oakland’s last drive during the Dec 23, 1972 playoff game against the Steelers, putting Ken Stabler in at QB. Trailing 6-0, the “Snake” led the Raiders down the field, scoring the go ahead TD with less than one minute remaining. Pittsburgh won at the very end, thanks to the “Immaculate Reception”, one of the most famous plays in football history. How I miss the old NFL.
Yeah. That’s when it was an American institution.
Mike Bossy...Guy Lafleur..Darlye Lamonica...make it stop..geez..
I remember that game. I was a Jets fan, back then, in college.
Mike Bossy...Guy Lafleur? Good Gosh, how did I miss those guys passing?
R.I.P.
I was just watching videos of him last night!
Now this..
he could throw the long pass better than anyone I ever saw.
As a Chief’s fan from the early 1960s I watched the Raiders-Chiefs battles every year. He was a bomber.
I saw it too, and I’m still a JETS fan :)
It was mad football in those days…
He wasn’t that good. AFL was the minor leagues when he threw all those long passes. When George Blanda saved games LaMonica wouldn’t take himself out after hitting his wrist on someone’s helmet. Offense kept marching backwards. Oakland had beaten KC twice that year and had to beat them in a playoff. Didn’t happen.
His quote: “I’m a better QB than Joe Namath.”
Saw it. Raider fan since 67.
When the Raiders played at Youell Field, we used to hand them beers when they scored a TD. These guys played their best with a couple of beers. I wuz there.
I saw Ben Davidson pull up on the field at Shea Stadium on his Harley. Great days.
I still get nauseous every time I see clips of the Immaculate Reception. Had instant replay been in effect, the referees would still have their noses pressed up to the monitor.
I was just a kid but recall my Dad being pretty upset they cut away from that game to air the Heidi movie. Dad watched NFL football faithfully back in the day.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.