Category Archives: NFL

College Football HoF, NFL

Brodie, John

Card: Topps 1970
Acquired: In Person 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament

I met John Brodie on the course early in the day on the golf tournament circuit with Steve Spurrier and Dick Anderson. He loved the drawing I did of him and he laughed because I didn’t have one of the old ball coach. Off hand I have 5 or 6 cards autographed out of this beautiful and classy set, perfect for autographing.

John Brodie was the strong armed quarterback who was the heir apparent to Y.A. Tittle in San Fransisco. One of the many overlooked legendary quarterbacks who came through the 49er organization before Montana and Young, Brodie was a passing machine throughout the 1960s and was the NFL MVP in 1970. A two time AP in 1965 and 1970, he’d retire in 1973 ranked 3rd all time in passing yardage. Brodie was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and his number retired by the 49ers, but at this time has not been enshrined into the NFL HoF. An avid golfer, he frequently is in the running on the Champions Tour.

G/Gs 259/201    Att 4491    Comp 2469   Yds 31548    Pct 55%     Td 214    Int 224    Rat 72.3

NFL

Musgrave, Bill

Card: StarPics 1991
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

The heir to Chris Miller for the Oregon Ducks, Bill Musgrave enjoyed an excellent college playing career. With a logger jam at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Musgrave would not make the team roster after being drafted by them in 4th round of the 1991 draft. He’d sign with the San Fransisco 49ers and he’d post a 71 quarterback rating throwing 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He’d stay with the 49ers through 1994 and then sign with the Denver Broncos staying there through the 1996 season. Bill jumped almost immediately into coaching where he has remained since, working a season a piece for the Raiders and Eagles, and two for the Panthers. Musgrave returned back to the college ranks in 2001 tutoring future Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub at UVA. Again he’d surface in the pros with the Jaguars for the next two seasons through 2004 and the Redskins for 2005. Musgrave later spent the most time with the Atlanta Falcons from 2006 – 2010, -later signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011 to be offensive coordinator. Musgrave experienced his first offensive play calling with the Eagles and Ray Rhodes, so he probably is a member of the Rhodes’ coaching tree.

NFL

Brookshier, Tom “Brookie” (1931-2010)

Acquired: Austin City Wide Garage Sale 1996

I think a bar was liquidating all its possessions and I just happened to stumble upon a lot of these autographed photos. While I rarely purchase these pieces of memorabilia, I can’t pass up a good deal. It took me a long time to track down Tom Brookshier and the internet made it possible even though I owned NFL statistical books.

Brookshier would be drafted in the 10th round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1953. His rookie season was nothing short of dominating.  He’d make 8 interceptions that season and a fumble recovery through only 11 games. Due to commitments to the military and the Air Force Academy, Tom would not regularly for another 2 seasons, but  would make 4 picks in 1957 and 3 in 1959. Tom would also double as the team’s defensive coordinator upon his return. He’d make the ProBowl in 1959 and 1960, and first team AP in the latter as well where the Eagles would win an NFL Championship that year. His career would end after 7 games in 1961 due to a compound fractured leg against the Bears.

Tom would pick up and go straight into broadcasting, paired with great Pat Summerall whom he broadcasted with on Superbowls X, XII and XIV. Of note, Brookshier was Summerall’s original broadcasting partner before John Madden. It’s in broadcasting he’d gain his greater notoriety where he once said the Louisville Cardinals basketball team, “Had a combined IQ of 40,” on air.

He’d later get involved in radio where and also was a real estate consultant and his number was retired by the Eagles. Sadly, on January 29th, 2010 he passed away at the age of 78 from cancer.

G 76    Tac N/a   Sac N/a  Fum 8    Int  20   Yds 193   Avg 9.6   Lg 40   Td 0