Quotes from George Blanda

I'm a hardened old guy. I've been cut in so many ways and dumped on by so many teams, I've been through it all, but I'd do it all over.

They don't have to tell me what life is like in a ghetto.

The boos and critical words from sports writers affect pros more than anyone else.

The owners need to have some protection against players jumping from team to team. The fans have the right to expect some continuity on the team they support from year to year.

I never retired from any of my teams; I was fired.

I'd rather be fired than retire.

It may sound corny to some guys but I still believe after all these years that the game isn't over until the last shot Is fired.

When I was playing and playing real well I didn't get any publicity.

People watch TV and think a two-foot putt is the greatest thing in the world when a guy knocks it in. But nobody is rushing you. You don't have a center, you don't have a holder. You don't have 100,000 people screaming at you.

Age is a frame of mind.

No one ever dreams about being a backup quarterback.

Playing quarterback you're always going to get booed - eventually.

Frankly, kicking was just an extra thing that I did. I guess most people remember that I was also a quarterback. But how many people remember that I was a linebacker and a cornerback when I broke into pro ball with the Chicago Bears? I was around when you had to go both ways.

Once you quit football, you might want to come back. But if you sit out a year, you're finished.

When I look back on my nine years with the Raiders, what comes to mind first is my great association with Al Davis. If it had not been for him I may not have done the things I did once I left Houston. I may not have even kept playing if it weren't for Al. I respected him highly.

Money has never been a consideration In my continuing to play for the Raiders.

It takes hard work, dedication, discipline and a positive attitude to get to the top - in business or in sports.

I worked my way through college by throwing passes for the University of Kentucky.

I had a helluva time getting away from Halas.

I've worked for everything I've got.

I work hard and relax a lot, too.

I honestly played the best football of my life in Houston.

I've got my own philosophy. People who write books have different philosophies. You read too many people and you get screwed up.

If people can identify with me in a good way and get some inspiration out of what I've done, that's good. Then football's all worthwhile.