Tag Archives: Seattle Seahawks

College Football HoF, NFL, XFL

Bosworth, Brian ‘Boz’

udou11 bosworthCards: ProSet 1989, Upper Deck Legends 2011, OU UD 2011, OU UD 2011 85 NC
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home*
Sent:   1/22   Received: 1/30  (8 days)
* Fee required

Brian Bosworth was one of the most indelible and engrossing personalities of the 80s to hit the gridiron. Boz’s influence was so strong that his hairstyle, sunglasses, and personality transcended sports barriers and transferred to mainstream American culture- but to Brian, that was all ‘The Boz’.

udldg11 bosworthI had been looking for Brian since I re-started TTM collecting in 2010. A long time ago I got his Starting Lineup figure. One of the few unique figures in the set, they had gone as far as giving Bosworth his stylish haircut.  I went as far as writing names, addresses on envelopes, and pulling cards, when I realized that he had not been responding to any TTM responses. I waited 6 years for a better shot at Brian while other peoples’ misses piled up.

It was then a lot of things really fell into place. I watched the ’30 for 30′ presentation on him, simply titled ‘Brian and the Boz’.  The show was an honest documentary on Bosworth’s life, but what really surprised me was that it all took place around the city I live in.  It lastly took me seeing a post on a message board I frequent, discussing a recent success that somebody had contacting him through email. I found the email and gave it a shot. I was given a very specific pricelist (very) and instructions on how to pay through paypal.  I went ahead and gave it a shot. A few days later, I got all 4 of these great cards back signed. Personalization doesn’t bother me since I keep them. I didn’t ask for ‘the Boz’ on the cards. -I just didn’t feel it was appropriate after watching the 30 for 30 documentary.

udou11 bosworth NC85Brian also answered my short questionaire. He told me that if he was a tree, he’d be a Palm tree, and that of the other teams he really wanted to play for, he was interested in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Dallas.

Brian Bosworth was one of the greatest linebackers ever to don pads. The only two time Butkus Award winner in history (annually given to the greatest linebacker in college football,) in 1985 and 1986, Bosworth also earned Consensus All-American Honors both years, as the Sooners powered their way to the National Championship in 1985. It’d be in 1987 that Bosworth garnered the attention of the NCAA and was suspended for the Orange Bowl. He declared for the NFL Supplemental Draft of 1987. Brian finished his career at OU with 395 tackles in only 3 years.

pset89 bosworthNow Boz had a very thorough determination process for who he’d play for. He sent letters to all 28 teams, telling them if he’d like to play for them or not. Simply stated if he was drafted by a team he didn’t want to play for, he was just going to sit out until the next draft. Boz really wanted to play for the Raiders, but instead got selected by: The Seahawks…  After initially rebuffing the Seahawks offers, Boz finally came to the table and signed an (at the time) incredible contract: 10 years, $11 million dollars. He came into the Seahawk lineup and helped bolster the defensive roster, giving the team a much needed ‘bad boy persona’ shooting his mouth off at the media, players, and fans. Boz played for the Seahawks for 2 and a half seasons, before a shoulder injury finally caught up with him.  Boz flunked his physical -ending his football career.

Brian had been dabbling in the media long enough that he had become a recognizable face. It didn’t take long for him to show up on Entertainment Tonight, appearing in his first movie ‘Stone Cold’.  Since then he’s appeared in films, TV shows, commercials, and media. Bosworth was also a member of the Sunday Night XFL commentary crew in 2001.

In 2015, Bosworth was finally inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Passed over numerous times by the selection committee – most of those involved felt that it was finally time.  It was an honor to me that I felt was long overdue to Brian Bosworth.

 

 

NFL

Stanback, Isaiah

Card: Topps 2007 Exclusive
Acquired: 2012, Canton Acquisition

Isiah Stanback was a multidimensional athlete for the Washington Huskies during his time there from 2002-2006. He’d play at wide receiver and then primarily at quarterback for the team, racking up 3,868 yards and 22 touchdowns in 22 starts. He’d also rush for 794 yards and 11 touchdowns while pulling in 12 receptions for 146 yards. In the off-season Isiah made an impact as a track man, and while he’d find his name etched into the top 5 of the school’s recordbooks for many categories, it’d be Stanback’s speed that intrigued scouts the most.

Scouts pegged Isaiah as a wide receiver, and the Cowboys pulled the trigger on him with their 4th round selection of the 2007 draft and spent nearly his entire rookie season on the practice squad. After recording 2 receptions for 24 yards the next year, he’d be placed on injured reserve with a bum shoulder. Cut in 2009, Isaiah has been on the practice squads of New England (2009), Seattle (2010-2011), and the Giants (2011-2012).

NFL

Williams, John L.

sky93-94 jl williamsCards: 1993-1994 Skybox Colors, Skybox 1992, ProSet 1989, Fleer 1990
Acquired: 2014 TTM, C/o Home
Sent:  3/9     Received: 4/11    (31 days)
Failure: 2013, C/o Home

Recruited by future NFL head coach Mike Shannahan to play tailback at Florida in 1981- Shanahan was enamored with John L. Williams talent remarking at one point, “He can do it all.” The Gators were stacked at runningback though, with future NFLers Lorenzo Hampton and Neal Anderson already seeing touches in the backfield, so Williams, who wanted to start in some capacity, demonstrated soft hands and solid blocking and moved to fullback. After splitting time with future NFLer James Jones, Williams became the fulltime starter at fullback in his Sophomore year. Over his career at Florida, John L. piled up over 2,400 yards rushing and at the time a school record 92 receptions out of the backfield.

Because of the lack of respect given to the fullback position and not sky92 jl williamspiling up eye-popping numbers for the Gators, Williams was not considered first round talent. John L. though wowed scouts as a combine wonder and shot up draft boards as a highly sought after once in a lifetime fullback, beating out names in individual drills such as Bo Jackson and finishing second to only Neal Anderson in the 40 yard dash. With teams aggressively positioning to grab Williams, the Seahawks approached the podium and took John L. with the 15th pick of the first round in the 1985 draft.

Stepping into the Seahawks backfield, Williams helped alleviate the pressure off of tailback Curt Warner and provided a nice safety valve for quarterback Dave Kreig in the ‘Ground Chuck’ offense. Seattle was finally able to turn the corner and make the playoffs.  Williams rushed for a career high 877 yards and 4 TDs in 1988 as part of the Seahawks’ diversified rushing attack. An intergral part of the Seahawks offense, John L. led the NFL in receptions from the backfield with 76 in 1989, and his 58 catches in 1988 were the first time anybody ever led the team in receptions other than Steve Largent since the franchise had been founded.

With Warner departing to the LA Rams in 1990, and both Krieg andflr90 jl williams future HoF receiver Largent both in the twilight of their Seattle careers, Williams was leaned on heavily by the team. He’d finish with a career high 699 yards receiving in 1990, and back to back 700+ yards rushing season in 1990 and 1991. The Seahawks went through a coaching change in 1992 bringing in Head Coach Tom Flores and Offensive Coordinator Larry Kennan. Out was the ‘Ground Chuck’ style offense, and in was a more West Coast oriented approach. While Williams saw less time rushing the ball, he still was an important part of the passing game, especially as the team was crumbling offensively due to lack of star power beyond Williams and Brian Blades. At quarterback the team struggled mightily with Dan McGwire, Rick Mirer, and Stan Gelbaugh all taking snaps.

John L. was mercifully allowed to depart via free agency in 1994 to the Pittsbugh Steelers and replaced the venerable Meril Hoge at fullback.  There he enjoyed his final two seasons playing for the black and gold, culminating in his first and only SuperBowl appearance (SuperBowl XXX) at the conclusion of the 1995 season. pset89 jl williamsHe’d retire after the season citing the wear and tear on his body. His 546 receptions, was the second highest total recorded at the time, by a runnningback/ fullback, behind only Roger Craig.  Over his career he earned two Pro Bowl nods for the 1990 and 1991 seasons.

Afterwards John L. returned back to his homestate of Florida. He owned a nightclub for a while then dabbled in coaching briefly with former teammate Kerwin Bell at the High School level. He’s also been named one of the Gator Greats and inducted into his Alma Mater’s HoF.  He’s remembered well by the Seahawk faithful, and Williams in turn returned in 2008 to raise the 12th Man Flag in Seattle.  Like many great players before him, I can only envision John L. in his Seahawk threads, and typically eschew his final days in Pittsburgh. Williams is featured in all 3 Tecmo Bowl games, oddly appearing as a tight end in the original release. In the future installments, he’s a popcorn back along the lines of Leroy Hoard.

 

G/Gs  149/133   Rush 1245   Yds 5006   Avg 4.0   Td 18   Lg 48   |
Rec 546   Yds 4656   Avg 8.5   Td 19  Lg 75t