Tag Archives: cleveland browns

Johnson, Mike (LB) (2)

Fleer 1990, #50

CARDS: Pro Set 1991, Action Packed 1991, Pacific 1991, Fleer 1990, Pro Set 1990 Pro Bowl
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 5/7 RECEIVED: 5/31 (24 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Almost immediately after I got Mike’s autograph a few years ago, I found his Pro Set Pro Bowl card and his Fleer 90. The Fleer card is really awesome. Again, like many of those cards from back when the Browns played in their old stadium (before the original franchise fled to Baltimore,) it’s an old school treat to see dirt on players pants. Otherwise, his Pro Bowl card- ironically the only time he’d appear in a Pro Bowl, is really nice as well. Too bad both his Pro Set ’91 and Action Packed ’91 are near mirror image photos.

Marshall, Jim

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #134

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 10/14 RECEIVED: 12/10 (57 days)*
* Fee Enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Jim Marshall played DE for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1957-58.
  • Generational player who helped Buckeyes win by scoring all 14 points (interception, blocked punt, and kicked 2 xp) in a game against Purdue in 1958.
  • Left school to play in the CFL for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1959.
  • In a rare transaction at the time, was swapped from the CFL-NFL trade to the Cleveland Browns, in exchange for Bob Ptacek.
  • Played the 1960 season with Cleveland, before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings along with a few other players for 2 draft picks.
  • Went on to play in an improbable 282 games over his 19 season career for the Vikings (starting 270 consecutively)- at the time NFL records.
  • Member of the famed Purple People Eaters, played in all 4 of the Vikings Super Bowl appearances.
  • At time of retirement in 1979, had played in every game in Vikings club history.
  • Finished with 130 sacks- second on the franchise’s record books.

ACCOLADES:

  • #70 retired- Vikings
  • Record- Most career fumble recoveries (30)
  • Record- Most seasons played by a defensive player (20)
  • Record- Most consecutive games played by a defensive player (289)
  • Minnesota Vikings 25th Anniversary Team
  • Minnesota Vikings 40th Anniversary Team
  • 50 Greatest Vikings
  • Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
  • Pro Bowl 1968, ’69
  • Second Team All-Pro 1964, ’68, ’69

NOTES:

Despite Jim’s resume, and being the ultimate iron man, he’s only been considered a finalist for the HoF. I’ve always considered him a HoFer in my book, and found a card that I finally wanted to get signed after I scraped up the small fee. It’s a nice autograph… a bit smudged, but I’ll take it over the crazy prices they wanted online for a certified.

Gash, Thane

Gameday 1992, #212

CARDS: Pacific 1991, Action Packed 1990, Score Supplemental 1990, Gameday 1992, Fleer 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 4/27 RECEIVED: 5/8 (11 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • A deep cut find out of East Tennessee State, DB Thane Gash was selected in the 7th round of the ’88 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
  • After not really seeing the field in his rookie year, Thane slotted in at FS where he quickly developed a reputation as a headhunter with a nose for the endzone.
  • In 1989, he picked up 3 interceptions (returning 2 for TDs) and led the team in tackles with 134.
  • Only had 1 pick in 1990, but duplicated his tackle feat, leading the team with another 134 tackles.
  • During the offseason in 1991, Gash herniated a disc in his neck, and was placed on IR for the entire season.
  • In 1992, joined the 49ers to replace Ronnie Lott at FS -who had left the previous season for the Raiders.
  • Gash started 3 games that year, and then retired after the 1993 season

NOTES:

I had been sitting on Thane’s cards for a while. He has a stack of really good cards combined with set needs that I had wanted. Thankfully he’s a voracious signer (when he does) and he signed all 5 cards I sent to him.

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