Tag Archives: Pro Set 1990

NFL

Donaldson, Ray

Card: Pro Set 1990
Acquired: TTM 1992, Colts Blitz

After an impressive career at Georgia, Ray Donaldson was originally a second round choice of the Baltimore Colts back in 1980.  He would take over the starting duties at the postion in 1981 and saw the team through the final years in Baltimore, the Eric Dickerson years and up through the beginning of the Jeff George era. He’d play for the Colts franchise through 1992, earning a Pro Bowl Nod from 1986-1989.  In 1993 Ray signed with the Seahawks playing for the team through the end of the 1994 season. He’d then sign with the Dallas Cowboys, replacing departed Mark Stepnoski playing two additional seasons. Ray would experience a late career renaissance and return to the Pro Bowl in 1995 and 1996 before retiring with 17 seasons under his belt.

In 2006, Donaldson was honored with an induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.  His 184 games started ranks 4th on the Colts all time list and 1st among linemen for the franchise. A 6 time Pro Bowler Ray Donaldson lives in Indianapolis and is currently a high school football coach. He holds the odd accomplishment of being the first African-American football player to play center.

NFL

Awalt, Robert

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Okay, I could never understand the Cardinals organization’s logic when it came to their tight ends. Here you have a proven veteran in Jay Novacek. You watch him leave Plan B to the Dallas Cowboys where he goes on to burn defenses across the league. In the meantime, the Cardinals groom promising Robert Awalt who actually starts and front of Novacek,(named NFC offensive rookie of the year in 1987,) but then roughly two years later, traded Awalt away to that same Dallas Cowboys organization. Just makes me scratch my head. (In Rob’s first few weeks for the organization, Robert would wear 46 as pictured on the card until 89 became available for him to wear.) Awalt would play behind Jay in two injury plagued seasons for the Cowboys primarily as a blocking tight end and occasional receiver. In 1992 Rob joined the Buffalo Bills, making 2 SuperBowl appearances there before retiring at the age of 29, after being placed on injured reserve to repair a torn rotator cuff in 1993.

I got Robert’s autograph on his ProSet 1990 at Cowboys Training camp, at the infamous autograph alley back in 1991- I think from what I remember at the final fence line before the players walk onto the playing field. I was a regular as background fodder on the local sportscasts and also had my picture once in the Dallas Morning News getting crushed in the alleyway by fans leaning me into the fence trying to get autographs. Those were good times despite the heat, and I never failed at getting an autograph everyday I was there.

G/Gs  95/44   Rec 138   Yds  1583   Avg  11.5   Td  10   lg 52

NFL

Norton Jr, Ken

Card: ProSet 1990
Acquired: In Person 1990, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Ken Norton was one of these guys who the further he got into his playing career, the meaner he looked. I mean you just didn’t want to approach him his last year in Dallas as he just brooded. I think I got Ken either my first or second day at camp. It’d be the only card I’d get signed of his, as he just didn’t stop very often to sign cards. Ken Norton Jr is the son of former heavyweight champion Ken Norton. Drafted in the second round from UCLA by the Dallas Cowboys in Tom Landry‘s final draft as coach, Norton spent the majority of his rookie season in 1988 on injured reserve. He’d gradually work his way into the lineup in 1989, splitting time with Jesse Solomon (fresh from the Herschel Walker trade) at weakside linebacker. Norton would be moved around the linebacker corps as his greatest attribute at the time was his versatility while dealing with injury. By 1992 Ken had become a key cog in the Cowboys defense and scored a touchdown in SuperBowl XXVII. His 1993 would be his last in Dallas. The team had identified linebacker as a budget position and felt that they could find cheap talent in the draft. Norton would hit the road and head out to San Fransisco with the advent of free agency where he played consistently through 2000 before retiring. Ken would be named to the ProBowl twice in his career and All Pro in 1993 and 1995. He is also the first player to win three SuperBowl titles in a row and also remembered for a bone crunching hit that ended Napoleon McCallum‘s career.

Ken would go into coaching where he was signed by the USC Trojans to coach linebackers and also started honing his skills at broadcasting. In 2010 Norton Jr would join Pete Carroll’s staff in Seattle where he is serving also as a linebackers coach.

G/Gs 191/188     Tac  1130   Sac  12.5     Fum  13   Int  5    Yds 127   Avg  20.5      Td 2      Lg 46t