Daryle Lamonica, the quarterback known as the Mad Bomber for his powerful arm, which led the Oakland Raiders to a berth in Super Bowl II, died on Thursday at his home in Fresno, Calif. He was 80.
His son Brandon said that he died in his sleep. He added that his father had not been in ill health recently.
Lamonica became one of pro football’s leading passers in the late 1960s and early ’70s. But initially, after playing for three seasons with mediocre Notre Dame teams, he hardly seemed destined for an outstanding pro career.
The Buffalo Bills selected him in the 24th round of the fledgling American Football League’s 1963 draft, and the Green Bay Packers picked him in the 12th round of the National Football League draft.