CARD: Frankfurt Galaxy Team Issue 2003 ACQUIRED: 2022, Private Acquisition
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played DB at Grambling and was not selected in the 2002 NFL Draft.
Played for the CFL Montreal Alouettes making one tackle that year.
In 2003 took his skills to the NFLE playing for the Frankfurt Galaxy pulling in 3 picks.
Returned to Louisiana, playing for the New Orleans Voodoo of the Arena Football League in 2004, ’05, and ’08 as a DB/WR.
Played one season for the Kansas City Brigade in 2006.
Best statistical year came in final year with Voodoo in ’08, posting 88 total tackles, 7 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 7 interceptions for 58 yards and a TD playing fulltime as a DB.
NOTES:
Great card here of Calvin, who actually has one other issue- An Upper Deck 2005 Arena Football card when he was with the Kansas City Brigade.
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.
Joined the AAF in 2019 playing for the Atlanta Legends in their 3-4 alignment.
Compiled 6.5 tackles, 1 sack, in 6 starts for Atlanta.
Played in 3 games for the Washington Defenders in 2020.
Had 4.5 tackles, and 1.5 sacks.
Signed with the Calgary Stampeders in early 2021, retiring later in the year.
NOTES:
My buddy Seth, a diehard Washington XFL team fan, had me send a stack of cards to him, that he was more than happy to get signed for me. A great card, Tavaris was one of the many players who gathered around and was excited to apparently sign his card for Seth during the fan meet and greet. He even took the time to inscribe ‘GO TIGERS!’, on it in gold.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
