Brian Noble was a 5th round pick out of Arizona State that quickly established himself as a starter in the Packers LB corps.
A tackling machine, Noble posted 104 tackles and 3 sacks his rookie season.
Best season came in 1989, with 138 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 interceptions.
Had 6 seasons of 98+ tackles over career.
At the beginning of the season he had 843 total tackles.
Incredibly durable up to that point, Noble started 119 games, but a career ending knee injury ended his season after only 2 games.
Noble has been busy since retirement, first going into broadcasting.
Later he owned the AFL2 Green Bay Blizzard, before the league ceased operations in 2009,
He’s moved into coaching currently at the high school level in Nevada.
ACCOLADES:
NFLPA All-Rookie Team 1985
NOTES:
Brian had some great cards over the years so it was a hard choice for me on what to send him. He appeared in all the major sets and later, maybe in another 10 years or so I might try him again as there are so many that I still would like to get him on.
He was a great signer 10 or so years ago and then pretty much just stopped. I had his cards in my priority shoe box for a very long time, so I shot these out as soon as he popped up again.
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.
Some good set needs knocked out of Steve here with the classic Pro Set card. It’s a great action shot. The Skybox premium is a really well designed card too. The Topps Stadium Club one is interesting all on its own. You just don’t see action shots like that, and Steve also has that oddball Score 1990 shot of him on the ground too.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
