This is a series based on the question posed above: players that are worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame but for some reason have not been.
He had a stellar AFL & NFL career and put up Hall of Fame numbers. He wore jersey numbers 12 & 3. He had two nicknames “The Fireman” and “The Mad Bomber”.
Daryle Lamonica QB – 1963 – 1974 Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Southern California Sun
Daryle Lamonica was born in Fresno, CA. He grew up on a farm raising peaches and grapes. His first big sports thrill was playing in the Little League World Series in Hershey Park, PA.
He lettered in four sports at Clovis High School, He was an All-State quarterback, and he turned down a professional baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs. Clovis High School renamed in football stadium Daryle Lamonica Stadium in 1974.
He accepted a football scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with a Business Management degree. He was an All-American and the starting quarterback for three years, and still holds (tied) the school record of four TD passes in one game.
After a 20-for-28 349 yard performance he was voted the MVP of the 1962 East-West Shrine Game at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, under coach Ara Parseghian. He was drafted by the NFL Green Bay Packers in the 1963 draft and by the AFL Buffalo Bills.
He played with the Bills for four seasons, backing up Jack Kemp on a team that won back –to-back AFL Championships in 1964 & 1965. It was in Buffalo that he earned the nickname “the Fireman”, coming into games if Kemp was hurt or ineffective, and pulling out victories.
In 1967, he was traded and came home to the Oakland Raiders with WR Glen Bass for WR Art Powell and QB Tom Flores. In his first year with the Raiders, he threw for 30 touchdowns and ran for four more. In 1969, he threw for 34 touchdowns and more than 3,300 yards.
It was in Oakland that Lamonica’s passing acumen earned him the nickname “The Mad Bomber” which was given to him by none other than Howard Cossell for his ability to throw long touchdown passes.
With Lamonica, the Raiders won three Western Division Titles and one American Football League Championship. The Raiders made one World Championship Game appearance with Lamonica as quarterback, losing to the Green Bay Packers, 33-14, in Super Bowl II.
Lamonica threw for two touchdowns in the game. Lamonica quarterbacked the Raiders during the “Heidi Game”. He was a three-time American Football League All-Star.
His first four years in silver & black were truly special. He led the Raiders to a 37-4-1 record, throwing 89 touchdown passes. He was voted the AFL’s MVP in 1967 and 1969. Lamonica’s last season in the NFL was in 1974. His last year in professional football was short-lived in 1975 for the California Sun of the World Football League.
Today's Must Reads
Today's Must Reads
Career Highlights and Awards
· 5 time Pro Bowl Selection (1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972)
· AFL Champion (1964, 1965, 1967)
· 2 time AFL MVP
Career Stats
· 164 Touchdowns, 138 Interceptions
· 19,154 yards
· 72.9 Career QB Rating
In his 11 year career he played for
· Buffalo Bills ( 1963 – 1966)
· Oakland Raiders (1967 – 1974)
· California Sun (WFL) 1975
He retired as a guy known for his strong arm and accurate deep passes.
Daryle Lamonica was asked the question “What was your most memorable game for you when you played for the Raiders?” He responded “I have had some great ones. We had some really tough battles against the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets.
The famous “Heidi” game because we were behind and we didn’t know they took us off national television and I’d just thrown a long touchdown pass to Charlie Smith.
It was called back because one of my wide receivers was in motion and Johnny Sample, their left cornerback comes up and pats me on the back and says “nice pass Lamonica, better luck next year”.
That fired my temper up and the defense held and we got the ball back with about a minute and 28 seconds left. I hit Charlie Smith going up the middle and he went in for a 60 or 65-yard touchdown.
We kicked off and they fumbled the ball and we recovered it in the endzone and we ended up scoring 14 points in nine seconds. That was the most memorable game because that one play changed the networks around now so they cannot take games off national television until its entirety.”
Daryle Lamonica went 66-16-6 as a starter, good for a .801 winning percentage, best in NFL history. He was inducted into the Fresno Hall of Fame in 1971; he was also inducted into the Italian American Hall of Fame in 1987. He is a guy who has earned a right to be in the Hall of Fame conversation.
comments (28) write a comment »
write a new comment
2 months ago
YES! Now you're talking.
I am glad you avoided the rumors that Buffalo was looking to unload Lamonica because of his whirlwind playboy ways around the moderate sized conservative community. Heh heh heh.
Outstanding work Jeff.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and the compliments, BabyTate.
2 months ago
Hahah, I love it, Jeff! Daryle Lamonica! I want you to call in to my radio show this Sunday. I'd love to discuss with you over the airwaves our debate regarding Morrall and now Lamonica. The Johnny Ballgame Show is on Sundays from 3-5:30 pm (pacific time). Would you be available during that time period? Again, I'd love to have you call in. I think our debate would be great radio. Please let me know. Thanks, man.
-Ballgame
from 2 months ago
I have a prior commitment with my kids that should end between 3:30 and 4:00 but I want to see if I can make it happen.
2 months ago
Great article, Always was a fan of the mad bomber. Sadly, I don't think he'll make it into the NFL Hall of Fame, simply because of his AFL days. It seems some of the NFL old guard still feel insulted that we had better players, and forced them to accept us.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and the compliments, Raider Card.
2 months ago
Very good article. It's a wonder by looking at the stats why he isn't in the HOF!
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and compliments, Ben.
2 months ago
Lamonica is one of those guys who gets hurt by the AFL. I love reading about pre-merger football. Good article.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and compliments, Mackenzie.
2 months ago
Lamonica was the centerpiece of Al Davis' vertical passing game. He is without a doubt, one of the best players of his era. This type of wide-open offense was the reason the AFL was annexed by the sagging, boring 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust NFL. With QBs like Lamonica, Namath, Dawson and Hadl, they lit up the sky with footballs. Namath and Dawson are in Canton because they won the Super Bowl, but Lamonica was in that class and he should be in.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the feedback, John. I like your consistent bullet-proof takes, I agree with all of them. You hit the nail on the head regarding the differences between the two leagues.
from 2 months ago
No problem...I'm a big fan of the AFL. When the Jets played at Shea in the late 60's and 70's, I went to a lot of games because I lived in Flushing not too far from Shea..
2 months ago
Sounds like the best player I've never heard of. He deserves the Hall of Fame.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and feedback, Matt.
2 months ago
Looking at his numbers the 19,000 passsing yards sticks out, and it goes back to the old debate of do you put a player in based on his stats or his wins in big games. I don't think he'll get in. That's not to say that he doesn't deserve it. One of my favorites, Randall Cunningham is facing the same scrutiny as he approaches eligibility.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and the feedback, Ron. I agree with your takes. Oh by the way, Love Randall Cunningham.
from 2 months ago
One more thing,
The debate does always seem go back and forth between wins versus a players stats and most of the guys who got the game that we love off the ground get passed over or literally forgotten about because as well all know football has changed so much between then and now. Years ago NFL was a running league and teams ran the ball more than they passed. The AFL got the ball rolling with wide open offenses. I think that the argument needs to change for these guys who were without a doubt some of the leagues best players.
2 months ago
Lester Hayes needs in...
Lester! Lester! Lester!
Why they screwing with Lester?
Just cause they put Mike Haynes in and don't want to double dip corners from the same team?
Bump n Run to Stick Um....Lester was great.
The Mad Bomber is mired in the senior committee which is severely constipated...... er backlogged.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and feedback, Dan. I agree with all of your takes.
2 months ago
Daryle LaMonica isn't in the Hall Of Fame because: #1. He's a Raider #2. He's a Raider #3. No Super-Bowl rings. The NFL is bias against Oakland Raiders players. And yes Dan.... Lester Hayes belongs in the Hall Of Fame. Dan Marino got into the Hall of Fame without Super-Bowl rings... Hmmmmmmm. John Madden only won 1 Super-Bowl. But Tom Flores won 2 in the same decade & with a wild card team no less. Why isn't Tom Flores in the Hall Of Fame? Hmmmmmmmm. Jim Plunkett won 2 Super-Bowls in the same decade with Tom Flores. Even when everyone doubted that Plunkett couldn't even earn a starting job or even play anymore in the NFL after his previous set backs. The whole world doubted Plunkett & he shut up every critic with 2 Super-Bowl rings. Not to bash Dan Marino... He was a great QB... But Plunkett has 2 more Super-Bowls than Dan Marino has... Plunkett 2.... Marino 0.... Plunkett 2.... Farve 1.... Plunkett 2.... Steve Young 1.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. And why isn't Tim Brown or Cliff Branch in the Hall of Fame? Cliff Branch has 3 Super-Bowl rings & some very impressive stats for that era of the NFL. Tim Brown is in the top 5 in all stats for all NFL WR's. No Super-Bowl ring... but that's a Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm anyway. Ray Guy... Best punter to ever live.... changed the game completely. Ray Guy made teams fear & respect him... a punter.... He has Super-Bowl rings.. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I smell bull-shit.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and the feedback, RaiderSteve.
I hear you and it is good to know that your B.S. meter is functioning. I'm see where you're coming from and I can agree with your takes.
2 months ago
Lamonica has come up short due to: 1.) Argument that his overall stats not in the high end category... 25,000 yards and 200 TDs seem to be thresholds here... this due to his entering the league to back up an established great Jack Kemp and when he slipped later in his career ...another great waited on the bench.. young Ken Stabler. So because he was on two teams that emphasized "winning" first he never had the chande to mount useless statistics. Bottom line ...his teams always won. 2) Argument that he never won the superbowl. Well in 1968 despite he being the first quarterback to throw 400 yards in a champioship game, in that game against the Jets he did throw a last minute ill-dvised latteral pass that let the Jets win. The rest is history.BTW the Raiders beat Jets during season. In 1969 Chiefs in championship injured throwing hand.Rest is history. BTW beat the Chiefs twice that season. If he had won either of these games this would not be being discussed. Bottom line...anyone who watched football in the late 1960s and early 1970s know he was one of the best and just as important was very entertaining to watch. Raiders, Jets and Charger style of football of AFL molded today's NFL. He should be in HoF as a player of impact.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the comments and the feedback, Mack. You make some valid points. However, if the sole criteria was 25,000 yards passing than Otto Graham, Norm Van Brocklin, Sid Luckman, Bart Starr and Roger Staubach wouldn't be in the Hall of Fame. Drew Bledsoe, John Brodie, Vinny Testaverde, Randall Cunningham, Jim Everett, Boomer Esiason, Dave Kreig, Jim Hart, Roman Gabriel, John Hadl have passed for over 200 TD passes but several of these guys are not in the Hall of Fame.
I agree with your take that he should be in the Hall of Fame but I'm writing articles on guys that have earned the right to be in the conversation and need to be in the Hall, several times the Football writers association gets caught up in stats only and forgets the impact these players had on the field and to the game. Thanks for reading.
2 months ago
Jeff, I wouldn't mind lobbying for a guy like Lamonica because like you said he was one of the faces of the Old AFL, and I think that needs to be considered regardless of stats.
It seems like the criteria for a QB to get in today is 30,000 yards and 175 TDs. Where 10,000 was a sho-in for a RB that may be pushed to about 12,000 yards.
from 2 months ago
I feel you Ron.
2 months ago
Good article...I agree completely. Sometimes the HOF voting makes no sense.
from 2 months ago
Thanks for the complimnets, comments and feedback, John. We're on the same page it is very strange.
write a new comment