Ray Guy was an incredible athlete that played 3 positions (K, P, SS) for Southern Mississippi from 1970-72.
Over his time at the school he set multiple single game and career records.
Became the first punter to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft (1973).
Right out of the gate, averaged 45.3 yards per punt his rookie season.
From there he led the NFL in punting average in 1974 (42.2) and ’75 (43.8).
Punted a career high 96 times for 4,195 yards in 1981.
Over his career he had a streak of 619 punts without being blocked.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
NFL All 1970s Team
Golden Toe Award
NFL 75th Anniversary Team
NFL 100th Anniversary Team
Pro Bowl 1973-78, ’80
All-Pro 1973-78
Second Team AP 1979-80
NOTES:
Ray was greatly disrespected by not being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame sooner. This was due to the fact that there is a longstanding stigma against special teams players. He was finally elected in 2014… and promptly stopped signing TTM.
I waited to acquire Ray’s autograph until the prices started dropping. Thankfully before the prices spiked again after his passing, I was able to pick his certified up on his Legends card.
EPITAPH:
Ray passed away on November 3rd, 2022 at the age of 72 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
An undersized LB with a great motor, Tom Jackson played college football at Louisville from 1970-72.
He’d be a 4th round pick of the Denver Broncos in 1973 and form a key element of the team’s famed Orange Crush Defense.
Extremely durable, Tom played from 1973-1986 for the Broncos, appearing in two Super Bowls for the team, and 191 games.
In 1976, he had an incredible 7 interceptions, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles from his OLB spot.
After his playing days ended, Jackson seamlessly transitioned to the studio where he worked alongside Chris Berman for ESPN- a role he held for 29 years.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1977-79
Louisville Cardinals Ring of Honor
Second Team All-Pro 1978-79
All Pro 1977
Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary Team
Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016
NOTES:
Tom Jackson was not really known as a prolific signer so when he popped I made my move instead of paying inflated prices in the secondary EBay market. Tom Jackson was such a great LB, I thought he was a S. I loved watching him on ESPN Primetime and Countdown. He didn’t really give any love to the Oilers outside of Ernest Givins– “From Louiville!” – Tom’s signature line in the studio.
Finalist for the Broncos HC job in 2019 that ended up becoming the team’s OL coach.
Was not retained after Nathaniel Hackett was hired as head coach of the Broncos for the 2022 season.
NOTES:
Well I never expected to get this one back. After failing on Munchie back in 2015, I saw a few successes in early 2020 and packed 3 cards up and sent them out to him C/o the Broncos. There they languished in a mailbag I guess. I thought for sure I’d never see them again, but like a Christmas miracle, in tricked in a few successes from Munchie from his time with Denver, well after a year after he’d been let go. I held out a bit of hope and lo and behold these cards came back to me- but oh no, he didn’t sign my set need… Ah well, 2 of 3 ain’t bad.
So neither of these ended up being a set need. Curses! But they are still great cards. The Action Packed 1990 All Madden Team or AMAD for short came out at an odd time. I think it was for the 1990 AMAD team, but it wasn’t really seen in stores where I could get them until 1991. Still it bears an interesting transitionary phase hinting at Action Packed 1991 and ’92s looser left leaning canvas design. Also the image of Mike from this card was reused for Score 1990 as well- or the other way around depending on how you look at it.
I still think Mike has some gas in the tank to coach, and would make a great assistant coach/ OL coach for some team. I’d personally love to see him reunited with the city of H-Town.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
