Eugene Marve played LB for the Saginaw Valley State football team from 1978-81, and is credited for really helping to put the school on the map.
In 1981, he tallied a school record 124 tackles and 9 sacks.
Marve closed out his time with the Cardinals with 299 total tackles and 18 career sacks.
Originally a 3rd round pick of the Buffalo Bills, Marve quickly came into his own, posting 63 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles in 1982.
Eugene was a fixture in the Buffalo defense through the 1986 season starting 74 of 76 contests.
He’d also lead the team in tackles 3 times, and finish second twice.
During a game against the Patriots in 1983, Eugene had an amazing single game 23 tackles.
In 1988, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in exchange for an 8th round pick.
A rare steal for the Bucs, Marve dropped 121 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pick that year.
In fact he led the team in tackles, going over 100 tackles every time.
At the end of the 1991 season, Marve had 1126 total tackles.
He’d join the Chargers for a final campaign in 1992, retiring after the season.
ACCOLADES:
Saginaw Valley State Hall of Fame 2010
Greater Flint Area Hall of Fame
NFL All-Rookie Team 1982
NOTES:
Eugene was a pretty good signer TTM, up until his passing. He was always one of those ones with great cards I was always just about to send out to, but never did. I got lucky and picked this autograph up with a small batch of other Action Packed Bucs cards I had wanted.
EPITAPH:
5/26/21- Eugene passed away at the age of 60, after entering the hospital for an undisclosed medical issue. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Played C and blocked up front for one of the league’s better ground games.
After the AAF folded, Brian was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL in 2020.
With COVID scrambling the XFL before the season concluded, Brian stayed in playing shape.
In 2023, was selected by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL 3.0.
Has been dabbling in coaching since COVID and in the XFL offseason works as an OL coach for Wingate University in North Carolina.
NOTES:
I was partially miffed and shocked at how many Commanders and former AAFers ended up with the Renegades in 2023. I packed a bunch of Renegade players cards along with my Kenneth Farrow’s, and while Kenneth was signing, both Brian and De’Vante Bausby came over to pay high respects to my Farrow Commanders jersey. I was extremely flattered.
Later my neighbors with me at the game, got field passes for after the game to wander around. They had enough for 5, and invited me, so I said, “Why not?” I rushed the field for a few autographs, and saw Brian standing there with his family taking photos. He was gracious enough to sign his card, take a photo with me, and talk about the Alliance and the Commanders with me. (He also agreed that the league was second to none as far as entertainment was concerned.)
After the game I posted this photo up on Twitter. (I didn’t realize how nice the Renegades icy whites look up close.) He also retweeted it and again had nothing to say but high praises of the Commanders faithful.
With the Commanders gone and the Brahmas reeling, the Renegade players were doing their hardest sell to adopt me.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
