NFL

Pritchard, Mike

stpics91 pritchardscosup91 pritchard
Cards: Score Supplemental 1991, Action Packed Rookies 1991, Star Pics 1991, GameDay 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  3/10    Received: 6/16    (98 days)

When Mike Pritchard hit the field for the Colorado Buffalos he was a virtuouso on offense, displaying excellent athetic prowess playing runningback, wingback, tailback, and wide receiver on offense.  He’d also handle some kick return duties as well along the way. He’d finish his career for the Buffs, with 47 receptions for 1241 yards, and 10 touchdowns, along with 30 kick returns for 693 yards. Despite playing only one full season at wide receiver, Pritchard finished 3rd in school history in career receptions and 2nd in touchdowns. An All-Big 8 1st team selection and team MVP in 1990, Mike had 28 catches for 733 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also stood in for Eric Bieniemy one game and surprised the Volunteers rushing for 217 yards.

gday92 pritchardMike’s versatility and speed were attractive to NFL personnel. Jerry Glanville‘s Run ‘N Gun offense took him in the 1st round of the NFL draft with the 13th pick in 1991. Mike had 624 yards and 2 TDs in 50 receptions in a respectable rookie campaign.  He’d then have 2 70+ catch seasons back to back in 1992 (77, career high) and 1993 (74).

Expected to make a big free agent splash, Pritchard joined the Broncos in 1994, but injuries limited him to just 3 games. He’d return in 1995, starting 13 games and posting 33 receptions for 441 yards and 2 TDs, ending his tour with Denver.

aprks91 pritchardMike joined the Seattle Seahawks in 1996 reviving his career. Pritchard’s 1997 campaign resulted in 843 yards and 2 TDs- his best since 1992. In 1998, Mike went deep again for 742 yards on 58 receptions. After the 1999 season, he’d retire just eking a bit over 5,000 career receiving yards.

As of 2014, Pritchard lives in Nevada. He does play by play for ESPN and does color commentating for Nevada-Las Vegas Football games.

G/Gs 127/94    Rec 422     Yds  5187     Avg  12.3     Td  26    Lg 61

 

 

 

NFL

Dixon, Hanford “Top Dawg”

pset89 hdixonCard: ProSet 1989
Acquired: 2014, Trade

Hanford Dixon was a dominating defensive back who played his entire 9 season career with the Cleveland Browns from 1981-1989.  A 3 time Pro Bowl pick, Hanford slid in at right cornerback and was later paired with Frank Minnefield after the USFL folded. One of the greatest physical man to man players of his generation, Dixon and Minnefield gave the Oilers wide receivers fits -barking all the way. Hanford was the originator of the ‘Dawg Pound’ name given to the Browns rowdy end zone fans. He thought that the Browns defenders were like dogs and the opposing offenses were cats they were chasing all day.

Teams were aware of the ballhawking Dixon and threw the other direction. He intercepted 26 passes over his career with the Browns. In 1990, the Browns left Dixon unprotected via Plan B and signed respectable Patriot Raymond Clayborn to replace him. With the writing on the wall Hanford signed with the San Fransisco 49ers in 1990, but tore a quadriceps muscle during the preseason. He opted to retire.

Dixon is immortalized as a member of the Browns in Nintendo’s Tecmo Bowl, where they shoved the star corner in at safety.  They did get Hanford right however and made him one of the most dominant players in the game. Hanford continues to live in the Cleveland area where he’s a fan favorite.  He did some coaching for the LFL Cleveland Crush,  and also color and analyst work for gridiron and Arena football games in Ohio.

Last year I took a few extra autographs I had sitting around and sent them out as gifts to friends who had helped me along the way TTM. Among them was Deadhorse, who located a few players I had been looking for. He quit sportscollectors.net cold and from what I could tell was out of the business. He went to an IP signing earlier this year in Ohio and got this extra card signed for me, sending it out of the blue.

G/Gs 131/128         Tac   n/a       Sac  2.0      Fum 2
Int 26       Yds  225         Avg 8.6         Td  0         Lg  37

Arena

Sesay, Brandon

tntafl14 sesayCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: In Person, 5/3/2014 Talons vs. Barnstormers.

A rangy and strong defensive end and linebacker who played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders in college, Brandon Sesay joined the Barnstormers in 2011. As a rookie, he logged 13 tackles, 2 sacks, and a fumble recovery. In 2014, Sesay signed with the San Antonio Talons and recorded 4 sacks, 10 tackles, 4 pass blocks, and 1 forced fumble. A veritable man mountain, Sesay liked his card so much he asked me if he could get one blown up into a poster.

Unfortunately the league suspended the operations of the Talons after being unable to secure a new owner. Brandon was picked up by the Tampa Bay Storm. He’d finish with 11 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 pass blocks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 blocked kicks.

 

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.