Category Archives: Pro Football HoF

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Taylor, Charlie (1941-2022)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-14

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Selected by the Redskins (NFL) and the Oilers (AFL) in the league’s respective drafts, but opted to play for Washington.
  • Burst onto the scene in 1964 rushing for 755 yards and receiving 814.
  • At the time his 54 receptions by a rookie was an NFL record.
  • In 1966, caught 72 passes for 1119 yards, 12 TDs and an 86 yard long.
  • Redskins officially converted Taylor to LE (left end) in 1967.
  • Caught 70 passes for 990 yards and 9 TDs, including another 86 yard long that year.
  • In 1969, was officially classified a WR and responded with another 71 catch season (883 yards) and a career high 88 yard long reception.
  • Remained remarkably productive during dead ball era during mid-70s, producing 801 yards in 73, 738 in 74, and 744 in 75.
  • Lost entire 76 season to knee injury.
  • Returned for one final season in 77.
  • Finished career with 10,598 yards from scrimmage, and 90 total TDs.
  • At time of retirement, his 649 receptions were an NFL record.
  • Spent next 3 decades with franchise, working first in the front office and later as a WR coach for Washington.
  • Passed away in early 2022, at the age of 80.

ACCOLADES:

  • Rookie of the Year 1964
  • All-Pro 1967
  • Second Team All-Pro 1964, 66, 68-69, 74
  • Pro Bowl 1964-67, 1972-75
  • All-Decade Team 1960s
  • Washington Commanders Ring of Fame
  • 80 Greatest Redskins
  • NFL Receiving leader 1966-67
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame 1984

NOTES:

Charlie hadn’t signed very much since 2012, so I decided to go the certified route when the pandemic hit. It was a fun time being able to hit the EBay market and pick up a few of the Upper Deck Legends set before it blew up.

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College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF, Super Bowl MVP

Aikman, Troy (2)

Skybox Impact 1992, #232 Action Packed Rookies & Stars 1992, #72

CARDS: Action Packed Rookies & Stars 1992, Skybox 1992
ACQUIRED: In Person, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

It’s been a long 30 years plus since I got Troy Aikman on a card so to get him on not one- but two cards, left me quite elated. I had seen that he was in town promoting his new beer line, Eight, and was kicking myself that I missed out on a previous event that he was involved in. Serendipitous timing led Aikman back to the area again, and I pounced when I saw that he was appearing literally 5-10 miles from my house at a local strip of bars.

It was a great event, as I caught up with my cohorts Jeff and Mark. I hadn’t seen Jeff since before the pandemic, and this was his first in person event since then. We sat around and tried out Eight beer. It was actually pretty good!

Soon thereafter Troy appeared behind the bar and began tossing out beers and handing out pints. I narrowly missed catching one of them, and then he started signing memorabilia in earnest. After I pushed Jeff into the crowd, he signed a mini for Jeff and then my Action Packed card- a dire set need. We bit our nails until Mark got his- the very last person on the first bar he visited.

We decided to take a shot at the second bar for another autograph. and after the same set up, came away with the same results. I was scratching my head between 3 different cards, but in the end decided to go with the Impact card. As he was signing the card, he smiled and stared directly into my eyes. I took it as quite genuine, but also as a warning to not try to press for three.

NFL, Pro Football HoF, usfl, WLAF

Kelly, Jim (2)

Ultimate World League 1992 Official Spokesperson

CARD: Ultimate World League 1992 Promo
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I mean huge get for me here. The Ultimate World League 1992 Official Spokesperson Jim Kelly autographed card is one of the 2 Holy Grails in this set. (The other being the Lawrence Taylor autographed card.) These autographed cards were one of the prizes given away for spelling W-O-R-L-D via the in pack game scratch off, and only 500 exist. I had seen this card from time to time on Ebay and kicked myself for not buying one a few years ago because it was priced at a premium to my budget. Since the COVID pandemic, a lot of things changed, and also since I haven’t been buying card boxes for a while, these sorts of splurges are a bit more affordable. Furthermore with Jim Kelly’s TTM signing fee being a stiff $50.00, I bought this one immediately when I saw it comparatively at a strong discount.

The front of the card is beautiful. It’s a very simple design that has grown on me over the years. The back of the card is much like the other Ultimate World League insert promos with the WIN $1,000,000 blurb and the contest information. The only major difference on the card being an NFL shield next to Ultimate Trading Card company’s address. -Again still no clue if anybody actually ever won the million bucks.