CARD: Fleer 1990, Action Packed 1990, Pro Set 1989 ACQUIRED: eBay, 2025, TTM 2026, C/o Home SENT: 3/21/26 RECEIVED: 4/9/26 (19 days) FAILURE: TTM 2021, C/o San Diego Strikeforce
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Burt Grossman rose to prominence as a defensive end for Pitt from 1985-88.
A rangy, prototypical defensive lineman, with great speed, Burt was limited in his Senior campaign in ’88 due to an ankle injury.
Still managed to post 71 tackles, 7 sacks and 17 quarterback pressures.
Highest rated defensive lineman who was selected 8th overall, in the 1989 NFL Draft.
Plugged in as a starter at RDE and posted 10 sacks and 60+ tackles in back to back seasons (1989 and 1990).
Played for the San Diego Chargers through the ’93 campaign.
In 5 seasons, Burt tallied 255 tackles, 38.0 sacks, 3 safeties, and 5 fumbles in 71 games.
Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994, and tallied 21 tackles and 5.5 sacks, before suffering a career ending neck injury.
Afterwards Burt went into TV and media journalism writing for the now defunct “National Football Post” and co-hosting the Eagles Hour.
Named HC of the IFL San Diego Strikeforce in 2019.
After COVID, Burt did not return to coach the team.
ACCOLADES:
Regional Sports Emmy Award 1995
NOTES:
Burt’s not a reliable signer TTM so I went ahead and picked this one up via eBay. Then literally a week or so after I put this post together, he just started signing out of the blue! I ran the Pro Set and the Action Packed out the door as soon as I could, but couldn’t find the Skybox 92. The TTM gods were looking out for me as a half torn, damaged envelope arrived with the two autographs inside.
Despite his injury shortened career ‘Big Mouth’ was a pretty solid DL notching 43.5 sacks in 6 seasons. Burt’s legendary big mouth was chronicled in Sports Illustrated in 1990.
Ahmad Dixon played college ball at Baylor from 2010-’14 at defensive back.
Over his college careers with the Bears, he had 288 combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 9 pass deflections, and 4 picks for 72 yard and a TD.
Selected in the 7th round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
Signed to the Vikings practice squad, and then to the Bears active roster during the 2014 season.
Had 5 special teams tackles and a fumble recovery for the Bears.
Signed by the Dolphins and quickly cut, Dixon ended the year back on the Vikings and was cut in 2015
Dixon tried his hand in the CFL and appeared in one game for the Edmonton Eskimos in 2017.
Played for the South team of The Spring League in 2018.
Resigned with the Esks that year but was released in final cut downs.
Drafted by the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL 2020 during the 6th round.
Before COVID ended the season, Dixon had 44 tackles in 4 games for LA.
Joined the Massachusetts Pirates of the IFL in 2021, posting 49 tackles, 4 pass breakups, an interception and a sack.
Played for the Philadelphia Stars in 2022, and started 9 contests, recording 41 total tackles, 1 pass deflections, 1 pick, and 2 forced fumbles.
Signed with the Pirates again for 2023 but did not make the squad.
NOTES:
This card is an uncorrected error. Topps accidentally spelled Ahmad’s name, ‘Ahmed’. Cheap certified autographed cards for my favorite sets are a no brainier through eBay.
A 5th round pick by the San Fransisco 49ers in 2009, Nate Davis played QB at Ball State.
Played 3 years for the Cardinals from 2006-’08 setting multiple school passing records.
Finished college career with 9,223 yards passing, completing 678 of 1,124 attempts, with 74 TDs to 22 picks.
Davis had a solid enough preseason in 2009 to make the squad as the emergency QB.
He didn’t see any playtime in his rookie season.
Spent 2010 on the ‘9ers practice squad.
Briefly saw time on the off-season roster of the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts in 2011.
It was at this point Nate became a hot prospect in the Spring indoor football system.
After two quick stints with the Kansas City Command and the Orlando Predators in 2012, Nate joined the Amarillo Venom of the LSFL.
Completed 212 of 381 attempts for 2,967 yards and 65 TDs.
The San Antonio Talons acquired his rights in the Arena Football League in 2013, but he refused to sign.
Instead Davis continued to play for the LSFL- this time with the Rio Grand Valley Sol in 2014.
He then resigned with the Amarillo Venom and played with the franchise from 2015-’19.
Signed with the Duke City Gladiators of the IFL, and spent 2020-’23 with the franchise, setting multiple passing records for the league.
In 2021, he passed for 2,901 yards and 79 TDs (10 INT), on 232 of 362 attempts.
Traded from Duke City to the San Diego Strike Force in 2023.
In 2024, Nate passed for 2,751 yards and 66 TDs for the Strike Force.
Threw a controversial TD against the Arizona Rattlers in the 2025 IFL playoffs as time expired lifting San Diego to a win.
ACCOLADES:
Ball State Cardinals Hall of Fame 2021
LSFL Offensive MVP 2012 (tie)
IFL Offensive Player of the Year 2021
NOTES:
I had been eyeballing Nate’s cards for a while. He had some really nice looking ones and after seeing the brouhaha about the Strike Force’s win over Arizona, I felt no time was better than this one! I actually had a Dress For Success Donruss ’09 patch auto coming to me, but unfortunately it got lost in the mail.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
