Prolific Raiders passer Daryle Lamonica dies at age 80
Daryle Lamonica, the aptly nicknamed "Mad Bomber" thanks to his affinity for the deep pass, and who led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl when he won the 1967 AFL MVP award
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office said Lamonica died at his Fresno, California, home on Thursday morning.
"The Raiders Family is deeply saddened to learn of Daryle Lamonica's passing earlier today," the Raiders announced in a statement.
"The Raider Nation will forever miss his easy-going nature and warm smile. Our deepest condolences are with his wife Mary, son Brandon,
Lamonica, who played quarterback for the Raiders between a pair of Hall of Famers in Tom Flores and Ken Stabler, was initially drafted into the AFL by the Buffalo Bills out of Notre Dame in 1963.
Lamonica was an instant fit in owner Al Davis' vertical threat offense as he led the AFL with 30 touchdown passes in 1967 while passing for 3,228 yards
He threw two TD passes in the Raiders' 40-7 AFL title-game win over the Houston Oilers and had two more TD passes in the 33-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II.