Tom Blanchard

Thomas Richard Blanchard (born May 28, 1948, in Grants Pass, Oregon) was a professional football punter and holder who played eleven seasons in the NFL for the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A three-sport athlete at Grants Pass High School, he led the football team to the 1964 Oregon state championship as a junior and was later drafted by the New York Yankees before opting for college football. At the University of Oregon from 1967 to 1971, he played quarterback until a knee injury in 1970 — which opened the door for Dan Fouts — shifted him permanently to punter. He was selected by the Giants in the 12th round of the 1971 NFL Draft.