Tag Archives: upper deck legends 1997

Winslow Sr., Kellen

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 9/22 RECEIVED: 10/15 (23 days)
* Fee Enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Kellen Winslow played TE for the Missouri Tigers from 1975-78.
  • Concluded college career with 71 catches, 1,089 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
  • First round pick of the San Diego Chargers in 1979.
  • He’d become a catalyst for the Air Coryell offense and lead the NFL in catches in both 1980 (89) and ’81 (88).
  • His 89 reception in 1980, shattered the record previously held by HoFer Mike Ditka.
  • Caught 5 TDs in a single game, tying the NFL record in ’81.
  • Put together perhaps one of the finest post season single game performances, catching 13 passes for 166 yards (TD), and blocking a FG to send it to OT in ‘The Epic’ at Miami.
  • Had a career high 1,183 yards and 88 catches in 1983.
  • Played for the Chargers through 1987, retiring after the season.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1980-’83, ’87
  • All-Pro 1980-’82
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • #73 Greatest Football Players of All-Time (Sporting News)
  • NFL 1980s All-Time Team
  • NFL 75th Anniversary Team
  • NFL 100th Anniversary Team
  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • San Diego Chargers #80- Retired
  • San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame

NOTES:

It can not be understated how much Winslow had an effect on the pro game. Tight ends during the 70s had become almost an afterthought during the Dead Ball Era. Winslow revolutionized the position, breaking Ditkas catch record, and had 2 back to back 1,000 yard seasons, and later a 3rd- something forgotten about since the 60s.

Winslow was always on my short list of players I might not ever get, so when he popped up, I wrote this letter and pretty much had this card in the mail to him the next day. I added a donation to grease the wheels, and he gladly signed it, adding the HOF inscription.

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Davidson, Ben (1940-2012) ‘The Mad Stork’

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Ben Davidson stood out from the crowd (6’8″, 270) and was scouted in JC to come play football at Washington in 1959.
  • Amazingly, Ben didn’t really display an appetite before then for the sport, mainly enjoying basketball and track.
  • He played DT and TE for the Huskies in 59 and 60.
  • Was a 4th round pick of the New York Giants in 61, but was traded to the Packers before the season began.
  • In 1962, Davidson was traded again- this time to the Washington Redskins for a 5th rounder.
  • After a two year stint there, he’d be cut and joined the Oakland Raiders.
  • The rest would become history as Davidson etched himself in the annuls of NFL history as one of the league’s most feared and dominant defensive players at right defensive end.
  • 1970 was arguably his best year, when he posted 11.5 sacks.
  • After the 1972 season, Ben briefly retired and began to dabble in acting.
  • Returned to football in 1974 for a final season with the Portland Storm of the WFL.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1966-’68
  • All-Pro 1967

NOTES:

You…

– Ben Davidson (as Rexar)
Conan the Barbarian

Ben Davidson didn’t have very many impactful or quotable lines in movies, but this by far, was one of the best of the entire film, Conan the Barbarian. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as the titular Conan- a barbarian bent on learning the Riddle of Steel, while consumed by lifelong revenge for the murder of his people.

During this scene Conan wrecks havoc on an orgy of evil people and just as he reaches the top of the amphitheater and begins his assault Rexar, played by Ben comes in and sees Conan. Instead of screaming, “YOU!”, He softly states…, “You..” Which just had so much impact when combined with Arnold’s powerful flex with the sword right afterwards. It’s an extremely effective scene.

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* Note that all stats were not tracked by the NFL during Hendrick’s playing era.

EPITAPH: Ben passed away of prostate cancer in 2012 at the age of 72.

Brodie, John (2)

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: 2023, EBay

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

John really doesn’t sign TTM very much or anymore, and this certified like many others were usually out of reach financially for me. I just got lucky on this one. Brodie should’ve been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame some time ago imho. I feel that his career, spanning 3 decades, and owning all the 49ers passing records at the time of his retirement really should merit a bit more consideration.