Carl Pickens finished NCAA career at Tennessee with 109 catches for 1875 yards and 13 TDs.
Selected in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Led all NFL rookies with 26 catches and had a Bengal record 95 yard punt return for a TD.
Had first 1,000 yard season in 1994, with 71 catches for 1,127 yards and 11 TDs.
In ’95 had best season as a pro with 99 catches for 1234 yards and a league leading 17 TDs.
’96 was another banner season with 100 catches for 1,180 yards and 12 TDs.
Had final 1,000 yard season in ’98 posting 1,023 yards and 82 catches.
Played final season for the Titans in 2000, starting 6 contests.
1992 Action Packed Rookies, #25
ACCOLADES:
1992 Offensive Rookie of the Year
Pro Bowl 1995-’96
NFL Leader in TD receptions (1995)
NOTES:
Carl Pickens just flat out doesn’t sign through the mail. I mean he’s like a career 0% signer- and a lot of people have tried- myself included. I saw that he signed something TTM in 2013 and gave it a shot. That request that looked like a success disappeared- and I probably got buried under the guy who sent out 10 cards. That being said, he didn’t sign.
Gotta say I jumped when I saw he was doing a paid signing, so I popped these two out. The promoter had difficulty securing him but on the second attempt Pickens came around to sign for him. I don’t know what I was expecting but his autograph is pretty pedestrian- though I might have to do one or two more if he ever pops up again.
I think that when I got Mike a few years back, I was later thumbing through my Skybox 1992 binder and realized he had a card. Thankfully my friend Rick came through in a pinch for me. He asked me if I needed him and sent him to me unprompted.
I think one of the hardest things to take from a hobby- especially things like autograph collecting, is not to become jaded, not to become insular to making new friends or helping others. Rick and I met through the autograph group that I manage on Facebook. He and Jake have been constant contributors and fast friends. I always pay it forward, so I am always thankful when I get something. This is really what the hobby is about, and I am so thankful that others think of me.
Mike Curtis played college ball at Duke from 1962-’64.
He’d go on to establish himself as one of the greatest athletes in Duke history, playing both LB and FB.
#1 pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1965 who planned to use him exclusively at FB.
Was also selected in the 3rd round of the 1965 AFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Made the transition to MLB in 1966 and the rest became history.
Played alongside ‘The Mad Stork’ Ted Hendricks, as the team lost Super Bowl III and won Super Bowl V.
Played for Colts from 1965-’75.
Joined the expansion Seahawks for ’76, eventually finishing career after the ’77 and ’78 seasons with the Redskins.
Started 125 of 166 contests over career.
ACCOLADES:
Duke Hall of Fame
All-Pro 1968, ’69
Pro Bowl 1968, 1970-’71, ’74
Colts MVP 1974
AFC Defensive Player of the Year 1970
NOTES:
Mike Curtis was one of these sweeping cheap Ebay pickups I did at the beginning of 2020. As a not really big name, I waited this one out- and then promptly forgot to scan the card in when I got it, so it waited in limbo for a while before I tracked it down.
I could make an argument for Mike Curtis to be in the HoF, but I doubt he will ever get in, as defensive statistics weren’t well tracked or considered spectacular at the time. He was an absolute terror patrolling the middle of the field and was extremely effective covering the pass for a LB.
EPITAPH:
4/20/20- Mike Curtis passed away from CTE in St. Petersburg, FL at the age of 77.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
22.0
9
25
289
11.5
2
38
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
