GEORGE BLANDA “It’s Never Too Late”

By T. J. Troup Coach, Teacher, and Pro Football Historian Future Hall of Fame Quarterback Bobby Layne was sold to the New York Bulldogs before the 1949 season by “Papa Bear” George Halas. To fill the roster spot, Halas used the Bears 12th pick in the draft to take quarterback George Blanda of Kentucky. During his last three years at Kentucky, playing under the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant, the Wildcats won 20 of 31 games and played in their first bowl game after the 1947 season. Coming from southwestern Pennsylvania, Blanda was leaving one demanding championship coach and was now about to embark on his pro career playing for another demanding coach. During his long career (1949-1975), Blanda observed and experienced the evolution of the modern pro defense. While the Philadelphia Eagles were the exception playing a 5-2-4 defense in the late ‘40’s, most