CARDS: Donruss 2020, Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl XVI, Upper Deck Football Heroes 2008, Topps 1979, Upper Deck Legends 1997, Top Notch Signature Select ACQUIRED: TTM 2018, 2021, C/o Home SENT: 1/2/21 RECEIVED: 1/13/21 (11 days) SENT: 9/10/18 RECEIVED: 1/29/21 (872 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Ken Anderson played QB for Augustana College from 1967-70.
Finished college career ranked fifth in NCAA history for career total offense yardage (6,679).
3rd round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1971.
Became starter in 1972.
Played for the Bengals for his entire 16 year career.
Led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance (XVI).
Set the NFL single season record for completions 70.6 (since surpassed – Drew Brees).
Led league in completion percentage in 1974, ’82, ’83.
Led league in passing yards in both 1974 and 75.
Led league in passer rating in 1974, ’75, ’81, and ’82.
As of 2023 holds the Bengals records for completions, passing yards, TDs and rushing yards by a Cincinnati QB.
Coached with the Bengals from 1993-2002, Jaguars from 2003-06, and Steelers from 2007-09.
Topps 1979, #115Upper Deck Legends 1997, #76
ACCOLADES:
Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame 2003
NFL MVP 1981
Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
Pro Bowl 1975-76, ’81, ’82
All-Pro 1981
Second Team All-Pro 1975
NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1981
NFL Comeback Player of the Year 1981
NFL Man of the Year 1975
Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl XVI Insert, #162008 Upper Deck Football Heroes, #238
NOTES:
I had sent out to Ken back in 2018, but since he lives in SC, he was square in the path of I think Hurricane Sandy that month. Looking back now, it seems that my request from that year was in the bottom of his mailbag. Ken ended up responding to my retry before my original request, if that makes any sense. His 872 day response falls short of the top 10 waits by about 150 days.
I didn’t buy any NFL cards from 2020, but my friend Joe who helps me run a Facebook group had so many of the Donruss he sent me the entire set. I like the design of it but, considering how much prices have gone up I wouldn’t buy any of these in the wild unless they were discounted.
I really like ‘Long Tom’ cards like the Gameday set, so I thought I’d try my hand at making a few customs. It was a pain to do initially as no printer handles this size, but I designed the canvas to have some areas of white so that it was perfect for the autograph. His autograph looks great on this. I’m not sure if I’ll do anymore of these cards, but time will tell.
I am firmly in the camp that Ken Anderson belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His numbers compare favorably with fellow WCO alum and HoFer Dan Fouts yet Anderson played during the Dead Ball era earlier in his career.
Ultimate 1992, #89Ultimate 1992, #76Wild Card World League 1992, #5
CARDS: Wild Card World League 1992, Ultimate WL 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 7/29 RECEIVED: 8/12 (14 days) FAILURE: TTM 2015, C/o Work
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Emanuel King played college football at the University of Alabama from 1981-84.
A tweener ahead of his time, Emanuel could play DE or OLB, garnering 53 tackles and 5 sacks in his senior season for the Crimson Tide.
A first round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in ’85, and also a first round pick of the Birmingham Stallions of the rival USFL.
He opted to play for the Bengals, and in ’86 led the team with 9 sacks.
In 1987, King started 12 games and had 4 sacks.
Shortly before the 1988 season, he was suspended and replaced in the lineup by Leon White.
In 1989, King signed with the Raiders, dressing for 3 contests.
After some time away from the sport, Emanuel resurfaced with the World League in 1992, playing right defensive end for the Montreal Machine.
On the season he’d rack up 4.5 sacks in the Machine’s 3-4 alignment.
With the WL going on hiatus after the 92 season, King joined the Sacramento Gold Miners of the CFLUSA invasion.
He’d finish his career with Sacramento, playing in 5 contests, posting 4 tackles and 2 sacks.
Returned to Alabama and went into high school coaching.
NOTES:
I had lucked out on Emanuel back in 2015, but I swear I had tried more than one time. I guess it was good that I waited because not only did I need him on his Wild Card and Ultimate card- he appears on the back of the Montreal Machine’s team card for the Ultimate set as well. (They used the photo from the back of his Ultimate 1992 base card for the team stats card.) I didn’t see it until right before I sent it out. I didn’t mind that he signed the back of that card, but when I also got his Wild Card back signed on the back I just… ugh. Oh well! Nice to get him though!
