CARD: Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl MVP ACQUIRED: 2020, Future Considerations
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
DL Richard Dent was an 8th round pick out of Tennessee State in 1983 by the Chicago Bears.
Became a permanent starter at RE in 1984.
Scored 17.5 sacks and a league leading 4 forced fumbles.
Followed that up in the Bears Super Bowl season with a league leading 17 sacks and an unbelievable league leading 7 forced fumbles.
He also scored a TD on a 9 yard interception.
Dent had 3 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 FF earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
Over the next 8 seasons, he never failed to have less than 8.5 sacks.
Had at least 10.5 sacks in 6 of his last 8 years with the Bears.
Forced 6 fumbles in 1992.
Joined the San Fransisco 49ers in 1994, but spent nearly the entire year on IR.
Again injuries played a part in his return to Chicago for another year in 1995.
As a pass rush specialist, Dent saw new life in Indianapolis in ’96- posting 6.5 sacks and 2 FF.
Richard then closed out his career in Philadelphia in 1997 adding another 4.5 sacks and a FF.
At the time of his retirement, Dent’s 137.5 sacks ranked 3rd all time.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Super Bowl XX MVP
Black College Hall of Fame 2015
All Pro 1985
Second Team All Pro 1984, ’88, ’90
Pro Bowl 1984, ’85, ’90, ’93
100 Greatest Bears of All Time
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
NOTES:
Well who knows what my friend Bryan Gianquinta is up to. I’m not sure if he was settling up old debts after I sent him a few autographs of players that he wanted from Texas, but he gave me this one telling me he’d gotten it in person at Canton.
Otto Graham played left halfback at Northwestern from 1941-’43.
An all-star athlete for the Wildcats, he could be counted on to kick, pass, punt, and run.
In 1942, he set the school single season offensive yardage record with 1,327- a record that stood 20 years.
Then in 1943, he posted 61 total points- a record that stood for 43 years.
After serving time in the Navy during World War II, he found himself drafted by both the Lions and Browns (All-American Football Conference).
Otto joined the Browns in 1946 where they moved him to Quarterback.
A fantastic player and leader, Otto led the Browns to a championship game ALL 10 seasons that he played football- winning 7 times.
In 1947 he led the AAFC in Completion Percentage (60.7), yards (2,753), TDs (25), Long play (99 yards), Yards per attempt (10.2), yards per completion (16.9), and rating (109.2).
Then in 1949 he led the league in its final year in completions (161), Yards (2,785), Yards per attempt (9.8), Yards per game (232.1), Yards per completion (17.3), and rating (97.5).
As the franchise transitioned to the NFL after the season, Graham saw no signs of slowing down.
In ’52 he led the league in attempts (364), completions (181), yards (2,817), TDs (20), and yards per game (234.7).
Then in 1953, he led the league in completion percentage (64.7%), yards (2,722), Yards per attempt (10.6), Yards per game (226.8), and rating (99.7).
Even in his final season of 1955, he led the league with a 94 passer rating a yards per attempt of 9.3, and a gaudy 17.6 per completion.
He is also credited with Paul Brown for helping innovate the quarterback position through the formation development of the modern pro offense.
Graham won an NFL record 81% of his games and held many records- some that have remained unbroken to this day.
He retired from football after the 1955 season, and then began working as an assistant coach- helping with the All-Star Game.
Then he started coaching at the tiny Coast Guard Academy while still managing the College All-Star Game contests.
Briefly Otto dabbled in radio and TV media for the Jets during the 1964 and ’65 seasons.
Afterwards he finally accepted a pro football coaching offer with the Redskins in ’66.
He saw middling success before being removed in favor of Vince Lombardi in 1969.
From there he worked with the Coast Guard Academy as coach and athletic director until his retirement in ’84.
An avid golfer and tennis player, Otto was diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s late in his life (2001).
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1950-’54
All Pro 1951, ’53-’55
NFL MVP 1951, ’53, ’55
AAFC MVP 1947, ’48
All-AAFC 1947-’49
Jersey #14 Retired- Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor
NFL 1950s All Decade Team
NFL 100th Anniversary Team
NFL 75th Anniversary Team
Northwestern Wildcats Athletic Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame 1965
College Football Hall of Fame
NOTES:
When COVID first struck the States, prices immediately went up on trading cards as with more disposable income and an influx of returning hobbiests and speculators abound. With availability slim I turned an eye to the secondary market and realized something: For the price of a blaster box of cards, I could get a certified autograph of an NFL legend. It seemed like a no brainer there, and for a while there I was sniping and snapping them up left and right.
Case in point here, HOFer Otto Graham. I was shocked to get him for a mere $20.00. So much so that when I discussed it with a Spring football coordinator and coach/collector, he was shocked that I was able to nab it at such a bargain.
With a long list of accolades and history, Otto is one of the iconic figures of the league. I felt there was no way I could do his post justice so I definitely drug my feet on this one!
Notably he also had a Pro Set 1991 special insert that was considered an urban legend at the time. I hadn’t known anyone who’d pulled the card as you could go boxes without finding one. Years later I finally added the card to the set. With the company flooding the market and many of these cards and boxes coming to liquidation after the company went bankrupt- the Pro Set card now can be had for as little as $4.00.
EPITAPH:
12/17/2003- Otto Graham passed away after being admitted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital Wednesday evening. He passed away of aortic dissection, the same rare heart condition that took the life of actor John Ritter.
CARD: Pro Set 1989 Announcers ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: 1/3 RECEIVED: 1/23 (20 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Dan Dierdorf played OL/ DL at Michigan in 1967.
A skilled athlete, he was an excellent wrestler and accomplished shot putter.
By 1968 he was working fulltime at RT, and spot duty at LT.
He was a highly regarded and decorated senior in 1970, receiving numerous Big10 and post season awards.
Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 43rd pick of the 1971 NFL Draft.
Saw action at all positions but center, and finally took over the RT duties for the remainder of his career there in ’73.
Considered one of the finest and dirtiest OL of the 1970s.
Sustained a grizzly knee injury in 1979 and missed nearly the entire season.
Returned to form in 1980, but retired due to wear and tear after the 1983 campaign.
Saw action in 160 contests, starting 150.
Started working in TV almost immediately as a color man and sports commentator.
Best known for his MNF stint with Al Michaels and Frank Gifford from 1987- early 99.
Retired after a 7 year stint in 2021 as the color man for the Michigan Wolverines.
ACCOLADES:
NFL 1970’s All Decade Team
Pro Football Hall of Fame 1996
College Football Hall of Fame
Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
Pro Bowl 1974-’78, ’80
All Pro 1975-’78, ’80
Pete Rozelle Radio- Television Award 2008
NOTES:
Outspoken, beloved, and always ready with a great soundbite, Dierdorf made a natural transition to broadcasting. I remember him fondly for his time working as a commentator/ color man on MNF with Frank and Al. I felt that when he left MNF it was just… missing something. It’s just never been the same. And to me, he’s never been the same. Having him back on CBS after that from ’99 to ’13 just seemed… weird- although I enjoyed it almost as much.
I had wanted to get his autograph on a card for sometime, but the announcer card was the best thing that I had. His Topps cards were all those woeful sideline ‘water cup in hand’ type shots. Although the card got bent in transition back to me, it doesn’t matter, I’m just happy to have this childhood memory secured.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
