Prolific Raiders passer Daryle Lamonica dies at age 80

The quarterback who led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl appearance has died. He passed away at the age of 80.

The sheriff said that he died at his home on Thursday. Natural causes are considered to be the cause of the death.

The Raiders acquired Lamonica in a trade from Buffalo and he was immediately the perfect fit for the vertical offense that Al Davis wanted for his franchise.

After starting only four games in four seasons with the Bills, Nicknamed the " Mad Bomber", Lamonica made an immediate impact in Oakland.

The Raiders became a powerhouse because of the deep arm of Lamonica and his teammates. They went 13-1 in his first season and he led the league with 30 touchdown passes.

The Raiders lost to Green Bay in the Super Bowl, but they got to play in the AFL title game where they beat Houston.

In his six seasons as a starter for the Raiders, Lamonica was one of the most prolific passers in the game, leading the league in touchdown passes. His 16,006 yards passing was third all time.

He was an All-Pro in 1969 when he had 3,302 yards passing and 34 touchdown. The franchise's single-season record of 34 touchdown passes still stands today.

During the playoffs, he threw five touchdown passes in a win over Kansas City and a record six in a win over Houston. Only Steve Young and Tom Brady have passed for six touchdown passes in a playoff game, and only Patrick Mahomes and Kurt Warner have multiple games with at least five.

One of the most memorable games ever, throwing four touchdown passes, including the go-ahead score to Charlie Smith in a 43-32 win over the Jets, was because NBC cut away from the game.

Ken Stabler replaced Lamonica as the starter in 1973, and he went on to play in the World Football League.

He finished his career with over 20,000 yards passing and over 200 touchdown passes. The Raiders had the best winning percentage for starting quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era with at least 75 starts.

Before going to college at Notre Dame, Lamonica was born and raised in Fresno. He was drafted in the 12th round by Green Bay and the 23rd round by the Bills in 1963, but chose to play in the Australian Football League. He was a backup to Jack Kemp in Buffalo.