Category Archives: Super Bowl MVP

NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Rypien, Mark

Cards: Score 1990, GameDay 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament

Mark Rypien gets less credit than he’s deserved. The first Canadian born quarterback to start in the NFL, Rypien was a traditional drop back passer with a cannon arm and a touch for the deep ball. Selected in the 6th round by the Washington Redskins in 1986 by Charlie Casserly, Rypien would sit on injured reserve for roughly two seasons, while Jay Schroeder and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams slugged it out. When the dust settled Jay was in Los Angeles and Doug was ailing from back injuries.

Making the best of his limited starting assignment, Mark became the fulltime starter and was named to the ProBowl in both 1989 and 1991. In 1991 Mark led the Redskins to a victory in Super Bowl XXVI and was named the MVP after throwing for 292 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Plan B, free agency, and the salary cap, eventually took their toll on the Redskins. With the retirement of Joe Gibbs, the Redskins went through a transitional period and by 1994 the team was already looking in another direction for a quarterback and drafted Heath Shuler, essentially ending Mark’s tenure with the team. He’d then go on to become the true definition of a journeyman quarterback spending no more than 1 season at any location over the next 5 teams playing for the Rams, Browns, and Eagles. Signed by the Falcons in 1998 he retired briefly after the tragic passing of his son.  He’d emerge again 3 years later in 2001 with the Colts, and then be cut after playing briefly in the preaseason for the Seattle Seahawks in 2002.

In 2006 Mark would play briefly as a promotional appearance for the GLIFL for the Rochester Raiders and is an avid golfer and fan of NASCAR. After losing a son in 1998 to cancer, Rypien would establish the Mark Rypien Foundation, to which he devotes a significant amount of his time.

( www.markrypienfoundation.org )

I met Mark Rypien at the CGA Youth Golf Tournament in 1992. At the time I’d give players each a 13×19 drawing I did of them as thanks for their autograph. Mark was the first player who didn’t want his and I was confused by his ‘modesty’ but he was still nice enough to sign 2 cards for me.

Games 104      Att 1466     Comp 2613     Pct  56.1    Yds 18473
Td 115     Int 88

NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Anderson, Ottis ‘OJ’

Cards: Pro Set 1990 CPotY, Pro Set 1989.
Acquired: TTM 2010, c/o http://www.ottisanderson.com/
Sent:  1/13  Received: 2/25    (43 days) *donation required
See Also: Ottis Anderson (2)

Ottis ‘OJ’ Anderson was drafted in the 1st round by the then St. Louis Cardinals in 1979, rushing for 1,605 yards and garnering Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Anderson ran for over 1,000 yards in the next 5 seasons, but because of his punishing style, he began to show wear and tear through injuries. OJ signed with the Giants in 1986, where he found himself knee deep in the depth chart. Bill Parcells utilized OJ in short yardage and in goalline situations as injuries continued to limit his effectiveness. In 1989, OJ found himself atop the depth chart of the Giants in Bill Parcells ball control offense.  OJ had brick hands for catching the ball yet, was a sure handed runner who rarely fumbled (3 times while playing for the Giants from 1986-1992.). Later in that year, he ran for 1023 yards, won Comeback Player of the Year honors and was Superbowl XXV MVP with 21 carries and 102 yards. Anderson retired in 1992 after 13 years and is one of a select few of runningbacks who has run for over 10,000 yards. After football OJ has become a motivational speaker, done commentary for NFL games, and is involved with a variety of charities and causes. OJ Anderson surprisingly is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite his extensive credentials and MVP honors.

OJ Anderson was in the second blitz of players I mailed out to in 2010. I located his website and fee regarding autographs and sent out these two cards.  My general rule of thumb with most players is to send out two cards, that way I can compare the autographs that come back to check the authenticity of them. I was surprised that I got back this one and that these are both considered authentic, – as they both looked like scribble. The ball control offense that the Giants ran during this time period was- annoying and boring, but watching OJ pound the rock that year was a thing of beauty.

G  182     Rush 2562      Yds  10273     Avg  4.0     TD  81         Lg  76

 

NFL, Pro Football HoF, Super Bowl MVP

Starr, Bart (1934-2019)

Cards: ProSet Super Bowl 1, ProSet MVP SB I, ProSet Super Bowl 2, ProSet MVP SB II.
Acquired: TTM 2010, c/o The Starr Foundation*
Sent: 1/4  Received: 1/30  (26 days)
*Requires donation

There’s gotta be a place to start (or restart as it may,) and to kick off my return to the world of autograph collecting, I wanted it to begin with a bang, so without further adieu I present Bart Starr MVP of Superbowl 1 and 2. I discovered that in the world of the internet, it was much easier to find players now, and Starr is a great example of this. A surprise added bonus was the fact that when you donate the required fees, Bart puts the money towards the Rawhide program who then sends you updates through the year to let you know how those at risk kids are doing.  (I will probably get Bart’s auto again next year, just because the Rawhide program makes you feel like you are making a difference in peoples’ lives.) Bart painstakingly autographed these four cards for my charitable contribution, returned the SASE in under a month’s time and enclosed another letter with a thank you as well.

Bart Starr is the epitome of the old guard of the NFL before the AFL merger. A 5 time NFL champion (61,62,65-67), He was also a 4 time Pro Bowl selection, and NFL MVP in 1966. It goes without saying that he is in the Packers Hall of Fame,  Won the MVP of Superbowls I and II, and made the NFL 1960’s All-Decade Team. (Starr would also found the Rawhide Boys Ranch during his playing days.) After his illustrious and decorated career ended, Starr would go on to have his number retired, coach the Packers for 9 years leading them to 2 playoff appearances and be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. In 1988 Bart would tragically lose his son Bret to a cardiac arrythmia while that same year, the Bart Starr Award would be created. (It is given to this day to players of outstanding moral character.)

For many years Bart remained heavily involved in Rawhide, public speaking, and ran Heathcare Realty Management. In recent years he cut back his schedule as his health declined- including signing autographs.

Games 196     Att  3149     Comp 1808      Pct 57.4%
Yds 24718      TD 152     Int 138     Rat 80.5

*UPDATE 5/26/19* Bart Starr passed away today at the age of 85.