NFL: Former Raiders quarterback Daryle Lamonica dies at 80
Josh Dubow, The Associated Press
Former quarterback Daryle Lamonica, who led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl appearance, has died aged 80.
The Fresno County Sheriff said Lamonica died at his Fresno home Thursday morning. Death is considered to be of natural cause.
The Raiders acquired Lamonica in a trade with Buffalo in 1967. With his powerful arm, he embodied the ideal type of quarterback owner Al Davis wanted for his team.
Nicknamed the “Mad Bomber,” Lamonica had an immediate impact with Oakland, having had just four starts in four seasons with the Bills.
Lamonica and wide ends like Warren Wells and Fred Biletnikoff made the Raiders a real powerhouse.
The club went 13-1 in its first season, where Lamonica led the league with 30 touchdown passes.
Lamonica then threw two TD passes in a win over Houston in the AFL title game. The Raiders advanced to their first Super Bowl, where they lost 33-14 to Green Bay.
In his six seasons as a starter for the Raiders, Lamonica was one of the most prolific passers in the game, leading the league with 145 touchdown passes, 24 more than Fran Tarkenton, who finished second in that season. chapter.
From 1967 to 1972, his 16,006 passing yards ranked him third.
Lamonica excelled in playoff games, throwing five touchdown passes in a 41-6 win over Kansas City in 1968 and a record six the following season against Houston. Only Steve Young and Tom Brady have matched Lamonica’s six touchdown passes in a playoff game.
Lamonica was replaced as starter in 1973 by Ken Stabler.
The following season he went to the World Football League, where he ended his career.
Lamonica finished his career with 19,154 passing yards and 164 touchdowns.
The Raiders went 62-16-6 in Lamonica’s starts.
This is the best winning percentage for any starting quarterback in the Super Bowl era with at least 75 starts.
Lamonica was born and raised in Fresno before going to Notre Dame. He was Jack Kemp’s reserve in Buffalo, before finding his place with the Raiders.
