Category Archives: Pro Football HoF

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Jackson, Rickey


Cards: Action Packed 1992, ProSet 1990
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 3/21   Received 4/1  (11 days)

Rickey Jackson was a 2nd round by the New Orleans Saints in the 1981 draft after an All American Campaign at the University of Pittsburgh.   He’d go on to play in 195 games (13 seasons) making 123 sacks, and recover 26 fumbles- all records for the New Orleans Saints. Transitioning from Bum Phillips to Jim Mora without missing a beat, Jackson was a member of the Dome Patrol (along with Pat Swilling, Vaughn Johnson, and Sam Mills)- one of the best linebacking teams in NFL history. Over Jackson’s long career, he made 10+ sacks in a season 6 times. In 1990 he’d lead the league with 7 fumble recoveries, and in 1992 force 6 more. Rickey would be named to the ProBowl in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1992 and 1993 before signing with the San Fransisco 49ers in 1994, where he was utilized as a situational pass rusher at defensive end for his final two seasons.  In 1995 Rickey would make 9.5 sacks and win his first SuperBowl title and retire.  In summation, Jackson would be named AP in 1986,1987, 1992 and 1993. His number would be retired by the Saints, and after a long wait Rickey would be named to the NFL HoF in his first year of eligibility as a senior candidate in 2010 as the only Saint in the Hall.

G/Gs  227/225    Tac 1173     Sac 128   Fum    Int 8    Yds 68   Avg 8.6     Td 0     Lg  32

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Long, Howie


Card: Score 1989
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Howie Long over the last few years has become pretty well known as a pre-game commentator, Chevy Commercials, Radio Shack, and a few really bad movies, (although I liked him in “Broken Arrow”).

Drafted in the second round of the 1981 draft, Howie would have a respectable rookie season for the Raiders but he would not start any games. In 1982 Long would start 5 games and make 5.5 sacks at left defensive end which would become his home for the next 11 seasons. From 1983-1985 Howie would dominate from the outside, tallying 13,12, and 10 sacks respectively. He’d be named to the Pro Bowl from 1983-1987,1989,1992 and 1993. Of those seasons he’d be named AP in 1984 and 1985 and help the Raiders win SuperBowl XVIII. After the 1993 season Long would retire. Considered by many to be one of the best 3-4 defensive ends of all time, in 2000 he’d be inducted into the NFL HoF on his second ballot,  the NFL All 80s team, and was named NFL defensive player of the year in 1985 by a few publications.
In a more comical moment when I got Howie’s autograph, he completely ignored autograph alley and went inside. 15 minutes later after the crowds slowly started to disperse, Long emerged with his pads off, a Dallas Cowboys shirt on and a gigantic smile. He graciously pawed through the crowds and signed a lot of autographs. Over his career Howie has had two trademark hairstyles first with a pseudo mullet during the 80s and post playing has had a military style flat top. His son Chris, is currently a defensive lineman for the Rams.

G/Gs 179/152    Tac   N/a     Sac 91.5    Fum 10   Int  2    Yds  84  Avg  42.0     Td 0      lg 73

College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Marino, Dan

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Score 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament

The crown gem of my celebrity golf tournament autograph requests, I’ve been dreading doing the bio for Dan Marino as he has so many accolades, it’s easy to miss some of them and his write up would be huge.

Well Dan Marino was quite nice at the tournament. He literally got swarmed and I dived into the fold. When he realized he was being surrounded he asked us to all line up in an orderly line and he’d sign a limit of 3 cards a piece for us. (The SkyBox and the Score cards are two of my favorite cards, while the Action Packed was just part of a set that I swore to complete and know I never will.) Anyway, I know now that Marino gets so overwhelmed with requests TTM it’s basically a waste of time now- and any sender gets their cards returned with a thanks but sorry letter, so I consider myself quite lucky in that regard to not only have 1 but 3 autographs from him.

Dan Marino went to the University of Pittsburgh, where he virtually shattered all the college quarterback records while leading them to some of their most memorable seasons ever but was unable to ever win the Heisman. Marino would be a part of the historic 1983 draft, that would include such notables as John Elway, Ken O’ Brien and Jim Kelly with so far 6 Hall of Famers have come out of this draft. His stock would plummet before the draft, and Dan would be passed up in favor for such notables as Todd Blackledge and Tony Eason. At #27 Dan Marino would drop out of the sky and into the Dolphins lap. Don Shula‘s Dolphins were at that time still a traditionally strong running team, but Marino’s imprint on the franchise would be so indelible, that the team would quickly become one of the most prolific air attacks in the league over the next 15 seasons. Dan Marino encompasses the definition of a traditional drop back passer. With a powerful arm, lightning quick release, great pocket awareness, and an intelligent understanding of the intricacies of the game, Marino would be named to the ProBowl and AP 9 times while making the playoffs 10 times out of 17 seasons. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, he held virtually every passing record when he retired, being the first player to throw for over 5000 yards in a season. In 2003 he was inducted into the college football hall of fame, had his number retired and has a statue also bearing his likeness outside of the Dolphins’ stadium. Dan has gone into broadcasting, been involved in charitable work, and has had lucrative endorsement spokesperson for Weight Watchers, Isotoner gloves, and Papa John’s Pizza.

G/Gs  242/240   Att 8358    Comp 4967   Yds 61361   Pct 59.4    Td 420   Int 252  Rat 86.4