Mike Schad (OL) was a 1st Round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1986, who hailed from Queens, Canada.
At the time, was the highest Canadian born player selected in NFL Draft (#23 overall).
Injuries derailed Schad’s first two seasons in the NFL so badly, he was left exposed by the Rams in Plan B during 1989.
Joined the Eagles in March of ’89 and was immediately slotted in as starter at LG.
Ironically earned a game ball for helping the Eagles beat the Rams in 1990, 27-21.
Played with the Eagles through 1993 and the Browns in 1994.
Started 55 games (62 played) over NFL career.
Returned to Canada for final season with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1995.
NOTES:
I think Mike had 3… maybe 4 cards total in his career, so the fact I had 50% of them, and one of them was a set need- I think it was a good sign to go ahead and send these two out to him.
Chryst saw a mixture of college and CFL positional stops added to his resume highlighted with stops in Ottawa (1994), Saskatchewan (1996), Chargers (1999-’01) .
Named head coach at Pitt in 2012, after rising up the coaching staff at his Alma Mater Wisconsin.
In 2015, he returned to Wisconsin as head coach, and led the team to 6 bowl wins (7 appearances), and ranked after 4 of those seasons.
Fired during the 2022 campaign after the Badgers got off to a 2-3 start.
Compiled a 67-26 record at Wisconsin.
ACCOLADES:
Big 10 Coach of The Year 2016, ’17
NOTES:
Paul Chryst is a member of the Mike Riley tree. He’s crossed back over into Mike’s sphere of influence a few times with the Riders and then later at Oregon St. He signed this card for me only shortly before he was let go. Paul’s not a sexy name, but I think he’d make a fine coach at another major program, or perhaps in the XFL23 or ‘new’ USFL.
Had a marvelous journey as a quarterback playing through 18 seasons for 3 leagues and 8 teams from 1952-69.
Played for Kentucky from 1949-51.
In an era not renown for passing, threw for 1627 yards (114/203) and 23 TDs to 12 INT in 1950.
4th pick of the 1952 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Joined CFL Ottawa Rough Riders in 1954, playing there through 55, and also again in 59.
Returned to NFL for a one year stint with the Browns in 56.
Again, played for Packers in 57 and 58.
After one year stint with the CFL again in 59, played for the Oakland Raiders in 1960.
After middling success with Oakland, was traded as part of a blockbuster deal to the Boston Patriots.
Played for the Patriots from 1961-67.
At time of departure from Boston, owned all the franchise’s passing records and many AFL ones as well.
Retired after winning Super Bowl III as Joe Namath‘s backup in Super Bowl III.
Had extensive coaching career.
Passed away in 2017 at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer.
NOTES:
In an age of more sexy names, I really hadn’t considered the legacy of Babe, compared to guys like Tom Brady (of course), or even Drew Bledsoe or Steve Grogan for that matter. -That being said Babe paved the way for those guys.
AFL/NFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
3330
1552
22681
46.6
178
220
59.6
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
383
1522
4.0
23
33
CFL
*Stats not available pre-1959
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
52
23
373
44.2
4
4
N/a
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
4
20
5.0
0
15
P
YDS
AVG
LG
65
2497
38.4
58
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
