Original Oilers left tackle retired in Colorado County

Al Jamison, an original Oiler and one of the best offensive linemen in the American Football League, died Saturday at 83.

Jamison, a left tackle who made the All-AFL team three consecutive seasons (1960-62) during a career cut short by a back injury, played a key role in the Oilers winning the first two AFL championships.

Jamison helped Oilers defeat the Los Angeles Chargers in the 1960 title game. The Oilers beat the Chargers again in 1961 after they moved to San Diego.

Jamison and the Oilers made a third consecutive appearance in the AFL championship game in 1962 and lost in double overtime to the Dallas Texans before they moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs.

Jamison played next to guard Bob Talamini, and they formed the best left side in the AFL. They blocked for one of the most prolific offenses in pro football history with quarterback George Blanda, running backs Billy Cannon and Charlie Tolar and receivers Charlie Hennigan and Bill Groman.

In those first three AFL seasons, the Oilers had a combined record of 31-10-1 in regular season, averaging 30.5 points a game.

Jamison, a Toledo, Ohio native, played at Colgate University before coming to Houston.

After retiring from the Oilers, Jamison started a construction equipment business and eventually moved down I-10 to Columbus before eventually settling in nearby Frelsburg. He also served for 12 years as a Colorado County judge.

Services for Jamison are Saturday at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus.