Sports during the 1960s were weird. For example, it is bewildering that NBA teams were averaging 110+ points per game in an era with no shot clock or three-point line. We may know why that was – everyone shot all the time – but the lack of video evidence makes it hard to comprehend. There is perhaps no greater oddity than George Blanda and football’s single-season interception record.
In 1962, Blanda threw a staggering 42 picks for the Houston Oilers. Of course, football was much different back then, both in terms of playing style and organization. For starters, the AFL and NFL existed in their own bubbles. The Super Bowl and a merger were still years away, although history books show George Blanda as football’s single-season interception record holder.
Speaking of the AFL, it was known for its wild, high-scoring offense where teams could recklessly chuck the ball around. That’s true to a certain extent. Six of the 12 players who hurled more than 30 interceptions in a single season played in the pre-merger AFL.
However, Blanda’s record setting total blows everyone else out of the water. Before him, Frank Tripucka tossed 34 picks for the Denver Broncos during the AFL’s inaugural season in 1960. No one else has more than 36.
It’s also important to note that the Pro Football Hall of Famer set the record during a 14-game season. Blanda didn’t really mess around. He threw six interceptions in a game twice that year and only had one contest where he didn’t turn the ball over. Ironically enough, the Oilers lost that contest.
Honestly, that is par for the course. George Blanda and football’s single-season interception record is one of the most baffling things you’ll ever come across. But we try to make sense of it, nonetheless.
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George Blanda and football’s single-season interception record
Setting the stage for greatness
Houston won the first two AFL titles thanks in large part to George Blanda. He was the league’s MVP in 1961, putting together one of the best statistical seasons from a quarterback in football history at the time. He threw 22 interceptions in both 1960 and 1961, but those numbers weren’t a cause for concern.
Blanda had a lot of value as a kicker as well. He was extremely accurate on extra point attempts and booted field goals of more than 50 yards. The Oilers believed in their quarterback/kicker, and they didn’t really have a backup plan in case something happened.
The road to 42
The record-breaking season got off to a rousing start with Blanda tossing six picks in the opener and four more in week two. That six-interception performance would be matched in week seven. He also closed the season in rare form, notching 20 interceptions over the last six games.
Backup…what backup?
Let’s just say there weren’t enough quarterbacks to go around football in the 1960s. Blanda’s backup with the Oilers was Jacky Lee who did absolutely nothing of note during his ten years as a professional. Think Charlie Whitehurst without the hair.
Other starters in the AFL that year included Cotton Davidson with the Oakland Raiders. He started 12 games, managing to complete 37 percent of his passes. Yikes. Meanwhile, the New York Titans (AKA the future New York Jets) started three players, all of whom were pretty awful.
In fact, only three of the 17 quarterbacks to start a game in 1962 threw more touchdowns than interceptions. Blanda could throw 42 picks in a single season because there wasn’t anyone else worth starting.
The record behind the record-setting performance
One thing we haven’t talked about yet is just how the Oilers did in 1962. It only seems natural that the team would be terrible, right? Nope. Houston tied for the best record in the AFL, won the Eastern Division and advanced to the championship game. Despite Blanda heaving 42 interceptions, the Oilers went 11-3.
Remember when we mentioned that he threw 20 interceptions over the last six games of the season? Well, Houston won all six games.
He was second in the league in both touchdown and yards while converting 48 of 49 extra points. The Oilers also had the AFL’s second-best defense which mitigated many of those turnovers.
Another interesting statistic is the fact Blanda was only sacked 11 times in 1962 which may indicate one reason as to why he was throwing so many interceptions. Instead of going down, he may have been hurling the ball away.
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Busting myths
The most popular myth about George Blanda and football’s single-season interception record is that it somehow shows he was bad. That’s not entirely true. Simply put, AFL quarterback play was erratic. Most teams basically ran seamers. Okay, so maybe it was a little more complex than that but passing was focused almost exclusively on intermediate and deep routes.
Additionally, pass interference was non-existent back then. Defensive backs could do anything to slow receivers which contributed to lower completion percentages and more interceptions. Blanda’s 42 picks were historic, but his play was no worse than other quarterbacks.
Another myth floating around in some circles is that Houston opted to have Blanda throw Hail Marys in lieu of punting. However, numbers don’t really support this claim. The Oilers punted 56 times in 1962 which was close to league average. If the team was really letting the quarterback throw up prayers, the punting totals wouldn’t have been that high.
A predictable end
Houston advanced to the AFL Championship where they faced the Dallas Texans. The contest is best known for going into double overtime and was the longest football game ever played at the time. It was also a microcosm of Blanda’s historic season.
The quarterback threw for five interceptions that saw the Oilers head into halftime down 17-0. Houston would comeback in the second half, although Blanda was unable to find the endzone during either overtime period. He missed a pair of field goals as well.
Putting 42 interceptions into context
Only one player would ever come close to challenging Blanda’s hold on the single-season interception record. Vinny Testaverde finished his sophomore season in 1988 with 35 picks. However, he only mustered a lowly 13 touchdowns, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a dismal 5-11.
Today, no quarterback would have the chance to get anywhere near this record. There is just too much talent in the NFL to allow it. The only thing comparable would be Jameis Winston and his 30-interception season in 2019. However, that isn’t a perfect comparison.
Turnovers in the AFL weren’t seen as a negative per se. Every team had quarterbacks throwing picks, so it didn’t really matter how many Blanda had since he was still one of the two best passers in the league. So, while Winston’s volume was less, the damage was far greater because the standard of quarterback play is much higher in modern times.
Blanda did okay for himself
The story of George Blanda and football’s single-season interception record doesn’t end on a negative note. That being said, his next few seasons in Houston weren’t great. After losing the AFL Championship Game in 1962, he would lead the league in interceptions during the following three seasons with Houston finishing with a losing record each year.
At the age of 39, he was waived by the Oilers with Oakland claiming him. He would serve as the Raiders kicker and backup quarterback. Blanda remains the oldest player to ever see action in an NFL game, kicking for the Raiders at 48. Upon his retirement, he was the highest scoring player in league history.
Blanda was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981. His single-season interception record looks like it will withstand the test of time.
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