In Senior season of ’86, posted 125 tackles, 11 sacks and forced 5 fumbles.
First round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1987.
As a rookie, Bosa had 50 tackles, 3 sacks and recovered 2 fumbles in 12 starts.
In ’88, started 6 of first 7 games, posting 2 sacks and 17 tackles before a knee injury ended his season.
Never fully recovered after that- but returned in 1989, posting 2 sacks in 3 starts over 13 contests.
In 1990, during a scrimmage against the Bears, he reinjured his knee and was out for the entire season.
Signed with the Jets for the 1991 season, but was cut in camp.
ACCOLADES:
Varsity Club HoF (Boston College) -1996
NFL All-Rookie Team 1987
NOTES:
Probably my first exposure to John was when he played on the Miami Wolves on the NES version of Tecmo Bowl. He was a pretty decent lineman on the team and could cause some havoc.
John’s sons Nick and Joey both play DL in NFL and were selected in the first round as well joining the Mannings’ and Matthews’ as the only families to score that trifecta feat.
Brooks Bollinger saw action in 44 contests playing QB at the University of Wisconsin.
In his Senior campaign he threw for 1,758 yards and 14 TDs to just 4 picks.
Over his college career he completed 398 of 740 passes for 5,406 yards and 36 TDs (17 INT).
6th round pick of the New York Jets in 2003.
3rd string QB behind Chad Pennington and Vinny Testaverde that year.
Saw emergency action from time to time over his career with the Jets.
Traded to the Vikings in 2006.
Seldom saw the field over his career with the Vikings.
Signed by the Cowboys in 2008 and saw action after starter Tony Romo went down and backup Brad Johnson proved ineffective.
Joined the Lions in 2009 but didn’t make the squad.
Opted to play in the UFL with the Florida Tuskers.
Completed 121 of 179 passes for 1,518 yards and 14 TDs (3 INT) and compiling a 6-0 record as a starter.
Returned to the league in 2010, but beset by injuries… opted to retire after season.
Brooks dabbled in coaching after his pro days were over at both the high school level and briefly at the University of Pittsburgh.
ACCOLADES:
University of Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame 2017
UFL MVP 2009
NOTES:
Brooks had been on my list since the early days of TTMing. When I started creating these custom cards of the UFL back in 2010, I knew I wanted to get him eventually. I tried back in 2011 but failed, so I just bode my time and picked up these two additional cards.
I had a version of the card I printed out on flimsy card stock way, way back in 2011. Since I had improved the quality of the paper and print, I went ahead and reprinted it and his card came out nicely.
Matt Bahr was a kicker who played collegiately at Penn State from 1976-’79.
In 1977 he led the nation in XPM (39) and overall points (81).
He was an All-American in ’78 when he cleared 22 of 27 field goals (81.5%) for 97 points to lead the nation.
Played in the North American Soccer League with the Colorado Caribous and Tulsa Roughnecks that year.
In ’79 he briefly signed with the Pennsylvania Stoners as well.
Matt was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with their 6th round pick of the 1979 NFL Draft.
He’d lead the NFL making 50 of 52 extra points as the Steelers won the Super Bowl.
Signed with the 49ers in 1981- but was traded away to the Browns, where he’d become a fixture at kicker for 9 seasons.
Matt played in 115 games with Cleveland making 143 of 193 field goals and 248 of 252 extra points.
Cut unceremoniously during the 1990 preseason- he joined the New York Giants, replacing Raul Allegre.
By this point he was a highly reliable kicker, and fit in quite well with the Giants ball control offense that ground out the clock.
Set an NFC Championship Game record with 5 field goals in 1990.
Kicked what proved to be the game winning score as the Giants beat the Bills in Super Bowl XXV.
Joined the Eagles in 1993, seeing action in 11 contests, before hopping over to the Patriots for 3 more.
He’d play his final two years in New England- being beaten out in camp during the 1996 preseason by Adam Vinatieri.
NOTES:
I figured based on previous returns that Matt would take his time signing these. I didn’t expect it to take… 8 years or so, placing him squarely in second place on the longest waits list behind Matt Hasselbeck.
I always reflect on these autographs and where I’ve been since I sent them out. It has been a long and windy journey.
Matt appears in both Tecmo Bowl as a member of the Browns and in Tecmo Super Bowl with the Giants.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
