Lamonica, Daryle
Football
b. July 17, 1941, Fresno, CA
Known as the "Mad Bomber" because his long passes stretched opposing defenses to the limit, Lamonica joined the AFL's Buffalo Bills out of Notre Dame University in 1963. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback became one of the league's top stars after being traded to the Oakland Raiders in 1967.
In his first season with the Raiders, he helped take them to the AFL championship and was named the league's player of the year. Lamonica that season completed 220 of 425 passes for 3,228 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Although he completed only 10 of 24 passes in Oakland's 40-7 championship victory over the Houston Oilers, two went for touchdowns. Oakland then lost Super Bowl II to the Green Bay Packers 33-14.
Lamonica was named player of the year again in 1969 with very similar numbers: He completed 221 of 426 attempts for 3,302 yards and 32 touchdowns. However, the Raiders lost the AFL championship game 17-7 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The AFL merged into the NFL in 1970 and Lamonica remained with the Raiders until his retirement after the 1974 season. For his career, he threw 1,288 completions in 2,601 attempts for 19,154 yards and 164 touchdowns. Lamonica also scored 14 rushing touchdowns.