Category Archives: Super Bowl MVP

NFL, Pro Football HoF, Super Bowl MVP

Dawson, Len (2) (1935-2022)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #20
Topps 1970, #1

CARDS: Topps 1970, Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home
SENT: 4/24 RECEIVED: 5/2 (8 DAYS)
FAILURE: TTM 2010, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

See Also: Len Dawson

NOTES:

After I got Len’s autograph back in 2016, a lot of rumors started up that perhaps he was being ghost signed. I did pay a small fee for his autograph and got these back quite quickly. The biggest hang up that the TTM community had over his autograph was the fluidity of it, and how the ‘L’ and the ‘D’ were just too… loopy, almost feminine, and that they changed styles.

I could see their concerns, but regardless felt confident enough to get Len on these two set needs. My reasoning is that as people do get older their autographs do change, and that I’d seen a lot of these ‘loopy’ autographs be passed off as certified and also as authentic. I, myself was very happy to not only get these two back in a very short period of time, but also that he inscribed them with his HOF year.

EPITAPH:

8/24/22- Len Dawson was moved to hospice in the last few days, where he passed away at the age of 87.

AAF, NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Ward, Hines (2)

Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl MVP, #45 (HACK)
Topps AAF 2019, #84

CARDS: Atomic 2001, Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl MVP Hack, Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: IP, 2022
FAILURE: TTM 2016, 2019, 2021 C/o Work

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

Well as you can see here, I racked up quite a few misses TTM on Hines. After his time in the AAF, I had wanted to get him on a few more cards- especially his Topps AAF card itself, but no such luck. When the XFL reemerged in 2022 (for its 3rd iteration) the league was quick to announce that Hines was going to be a coach in the league.

He’d become quite the hot coaching commodity clutching at coaching pearls with the Jets as an offensive assistant, and then to the college ranks with Florida Atlantic as a WRs coach. The Houston Texans even had Ward in for a head coaching interview in 2021. He’d later be one of the big splash names the XFL 2023 announced. When he was announced for the San Antonio franchise, I was very excited.

Atomic 2001, #116

I finally got an invite for the XFL Town House about a week before the event back in late October. I went ahead and invited a local collector and new friend of mine, Brandon, to the event. He got there a bit earlier than me, as I went to the wrong side of town, but eventually I got there about 15 minutes before it began. I was wearing my Greg Ward Commanders jersey.

We had a really good time. Hines once I told him that I had met him previously on the front row of the Commanders inaugural game, had a good chuckle with me. He signed 3 cards for me and posed for a photo. I got lots of love from not only the other fans there that recognized my jersey, but also from news and sports personalities that wanted to come over and talk to me about the Commanders. It was great and I felt like was back in my element.

This Pro Set Super Bowl MVP Hack I did looks great! I am so glad that he was kind enough to autograph it for me. I am looking forward to getting more of this set printed and signed.

NFL, Pro Football HoF, Super Bowl MVP

Manning, Peyton (2)

CARD: Panini Rookies & Stars 2010
ACQUIRED: TTM C/o Charity, 2020*
SENT: 6/29 RECEIVED: 7/27 (28 Days)
* Donation Enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Well after a few years, I decided to try Peyton again. I got extremely lucky to get him a second time, on this card. Although I had two other cards I had preferred to get him on more (Score 2010, Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009) I could not locate them in time and rushed this one out the door with a donation to his foundation for $20.00.

Since then he’s pretty much gone cold. He’s signed a few photos produced by his charity TTM, but that’s about it. He’s had his due receiving numerous accolades in retirement, inducted into the Pro Football HoF in 2021, and also the Broncos and Colts Rings of Honor. While rumored to be in line to work for the Colts organization over the past few years in some capacity, Peyton remains focused on his endeavors, especially with his brother Eli working on the Manningcast .