CARD: Action Packed 1990 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: 9/25 RECEIVED: 10/5 (10 days) FAILURE: TTM 2023, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Kevin Murphy was selected in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Oklahoma.
Outstanding lineman for the Sooners who was converted to LB.
In ’88 he had 76 tackles and a 34 yard pick for a TD against the Packers.
Led the team in sacks in ’89 with 6.0 and had a career high 16 tackles against the Vikings that year.
Also had a career high and team leading 4 FF that season.
By ’90 the team boasted a wealth of linebacker talent resulting in Murphy only starting 7 contests.
Still managed 77 tackles, 4 sacks and 3 FF.
After playing for San Diego in 1992, joined the Seahawks for the 1993 season starting 10 games.
NOTES:
Not the biggest name here in Murphy but he was definitely a blue collar find. He doesn’t honestly pop up often so when he did I sent this card out immediately.
Well there’s a first for everything… I only failed on Kevin initially because he signed the penny sleeve! Ah well. I made it easy on him and resent the card minus the sleeve and he signed this sweet Action Packed card for me in no time flat.
I think that when I got Mike a few years back, I was later thumbing through my Skybox 1992 binder and realized he had a card. Thankfully my friend Rick came through in a pinch for me. He asked me if I needed him and sent him to me unprompted.
I think one of the hardest things to take from a hobby- especially things like autograph collecting, is not to become jaded, not to become insular to making new friends or helping others. Rick and I met through the autograph group that I manage on Facebook. He and Jake have been constant contributors and fast friends. I always pay it forward, so I am always thankful when I get something. This is really what the hobby is about, and I am so thankful that others think of me.
Mike Curtis played college ball at Duke from 1962-’64.
He’d go on to establish himself as one of the greatest athletes in Duke history, playing both LB and FB.
#1 pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1965 who planned to use him exclusively at FB.
Was also selected in the 3rd round of the 1965 AFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Made the transition to MLB in 1966 and the rest became history.
Played alongside ‘The Mad Stork’ Ted Hendricks, as the team lost Super Bowl III and won Super Bowl V.
Played for Colts from 1965-’75.
Joined the expansion Seahawks for ’76, eventually finishing career after the ’77 and ’78 seasons with the Redskins.
Started 125 of 166 contests over career.
ACCOLADES:
Duke Hall of Fame
All-Pro 1968, ’69
Pro Bowl 1968, 1970-’71, ’74
Colts MVP 1974
AFC Defensive Player of the Year 1970
NOTES:
Mike Curtis was one of these sweeping cheap Ebay pickups I did at the beginning of 2020. As a not really big name, I waited this one out- and then promptly forgot to scan the card in when I got it, so it waited in limbo for a while before I tracked it down.
I could make an argument for Mike Curtis to be in the HoF, but I doubt he will ever get in, as defensive statistics weren’t well tracked or considered spectacular at the time. He was an absolute terror patrolling the middle of the field and was extremely effective covering the pass for a LB.
EPITAPH:
4/20/20- Mike Curtis passed away from CTE in St. Petersburg, FL at the age of 77.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
22.0
9
25
289
11.5
2
38
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
