Jim Fahnhorst played LB for his home state Minnesota Golden Gophers.
4th round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 1982.
Eventually ended up playing in the USFL for the Chicago Blitz in 1983, and the Arizona Wranglers in 1984, making a pair of interceptions and recovering 4 fumbles over his career.
Signed with the ‘9ers in 1984, and was witness to 3 49ers Super Bowl titles over his career.
Hardworking, versatile, determined player, was a chief backup in the ‘9ers LB corps.
Best season came in 1986 starting 14 games, recording 4 interceptions and a sack playing RILB.
Retired after the 1990 campaign.
NOTES:
Jim didn’t receive the trading card accolades due to him until really late in his career, however the Pro Set 1989 was probably enough to blow his socks off. Since he had a Topps ’90 as well, I thought I’d drop that one in too. He appears in the original NES game Tecmo Bowl as a LB for San Fransisco.
He’s got an amazing autograph. Love the blue and the pen pressure on this is solid across the board- powerful. The ligature of ‘Jim’ shortened into a J and the interesting pointedness of his F leading into a series of loops, really is intriguing.
Ahmad Rashad played college ball with QB Dan Fouts at Oregon from 1968-1971.
Played HB setting multiple records at the school (rushing yards, receptions, and points) -which were all school records.
First round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972 and transitioned to receiver.
Played in 13 games catching 29 passes for 500 yards.
Led the NFL with a 98 yard TD pass- probably the longest catch any rookie has had.
Traded to the Buffalo Bills after the 1973 season, but only played one year there, as he was sidelined with injuries for the entire 1975 campaign.
Traded to the Vikings shortly before the regular season by the Seahawks in 1976, and set new career marks across the board with 53 catches for 671 yards.
Caught 66 passes for 768 yards and 8 TDs in 1978.
Had career high 80 catches for 1156 yards and 9 TDs in 1979.
Continued unlikely run with another 1000 yard campaign in 1980, catching 69 passes for 1095 yards and 5 TDs.
In 1981, put up 58 catches for 884 yards and 7 TD.s
Retired after the 1982 campaign.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1978-81
Second Team AP 1979
Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
50 Greatest Vikings
Minnesota Vikings 25th Anniversary Team
Minnesota Vikings 50th Anniversary Team
College Football Hall of Fame 2007
NOTES:
When I first started watching NBC football during golden era the 80s, Ahmad Rashad had the smoothest delivery behind the desk back at the studio. Initially, I didn’t even know he played football! I felt like he and Bob Costas had extremely similar styles of commentary and announcing that I was very comfortable with. For a while there Rashad was married to Phylicia Ayers-Allen (Rashad)- who is an actress most notably known for being the mom on the Cosby Show.
Rashad is also a huge basketball fan, announcer, desk host, and player. He even got into a preseason game at the age of 40 playing for the Philadelphia 76ers scoring 2 points!
He remains a Vikings and Minnesota legend to this day.
Some good set needs knocked out of Steve here with the classic Pro Set card. It’s a great action shot. The Skybox premium is a really well designed card too. The Topps Stadium Club one is interesting all on its own. You just don’t see action shots like that, and Steve also has that oddball Score 1990 shot of him on the ground too.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
