NFL

Brennan, Brian

pset89 brennanCards: Topps 1990,
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent: 2/9      Received: 2/22  (11 days)
Failure: TTM 2011, C/o Home

Brian Brennan was a consistently unheralded receiver in the Browns receiving corps from back in the 80s. Reliable, with good hands and route running, Brennan was a player who made it despite the naysayers by sheer grit and determination- almost like a prehistoric Kevin Walter.

to90 brennanBrian was an All-American wide receiver and established Boston College records for career receptions (115) and single season receptions (66). A teammate of Heisman Trophy Winner Doug Flutie, Brennan’s 2,180 career yards and 1,149 single-season yardage totals also set BC records. A 4th round pick of the Browns in 1984, Brian had to contribute any way he could and spent his first two years as the primary punt returner, even nabbing a TD in 1985. Never a starter in the wide receiver corps, somehow Brian managed to make big plays when they counted. His best season came in 1986 with 55 receptions for 838 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Surrounded by guys like Bernie Kosar, Ice Cube McNeil, Kevin Mack, Webster Slaughter, Ozzie Newsome, Earnest Byner, and Reggie Langhorne, Brennan always had to fight for scraps.

ap91 brennanBrian played through the 1991 season and then joined the cross state rival Bengals for a few weeks, before closing it out with the San Diego Chargers.

Since retiring Brian has worked as a broadcaster for the Browns and was inducted into the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. I had tried previously in the past to get Brian, since he has some surprisingly nice cards but was unsuccessful. I decided to give it another shot and got these 3 back in the mail in a short amount of time.

Rec 334     Yds 4336       Avg  13.0       Td  20      Lg   57
Pr 56     Yds 438      Avg 7.8       Td  1       Lg   37t

NFL, WLAF

Brown, Ivory Lee (2)

phomem ibrownCard: Wild Card WLAF 1992
Acquired: IP 2015, Adrian Peterson Day, Palestine,Tx.
See Also:  Ivory Lee Brown
Failure:  TTM 2011, C/o Home

I had tried- and failed to acquire the bell cow of the Riders offense TTM a few years ago.  Knowing that Ivory Lee Brown was Adrian Peterson‘s uncle, I hoped to track him down at the Peterson event.

wcwlaf92 ibrownI got Adrian early, but Ivory arrived in style- late. There were intermittent downpours in which I’d get soaked, and then dry out long enough to baste, but it was totally worth it. Ivory was really nice and gave me his autograph on this card and photo that I had.  He’s the same giant man mountain- maybe a bit more reticent and quiet from his playing days; However, he flashed that clever smile when I asked him about his gaudy yards per carry from his college days at Arkansas Pine Bluff. He also very much liked when I brought up how he was the World League’s leading rusher in 1992.

The photo he signed was from a set given away in Central Texas’ HEB Super Markets promoting the Riders 1992 season. The 1992 Wild Card WLAF card was the only issued card that featured him in a San Antonio Riders uniform. I got it many years after the league disbanded and had him pen the card at the event.

From what I understand, he still lives in the Palestine area.

NFL, University of Texas

Dillon, Bobby (1930-2019)

utud11 dillon

Card: UT Upper Deck 2011
Acquired: 2015, Spoodog Box Break

Bobby Dillon played for the Texas Longhorns from 1949 to 1951, earning All-American Honors. He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1952 draft, and from there etched himself into Packer lore. 3 times over his career Dillon notched 9 interceptions at Safety. In 1956 he led the NFL with 244 interception return yards. He walked away from the game in 1959, and is still the Packers all-time career leader in interceptions. He’s been inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame, and earned Pro Bowl Honors from 1955-1958.  Surprisingly Dillon has not been inducted into the Hall of Fame, even as a Seniors candidate. 

G 94         Tac   N/a        Sac N/a        Fum  3
Int 52         Yds  976        Avg 18.7       Td 6

UPDATE: Bobby passed away in Temple, Tx on August 22nd, 2019 at the grand old age of 89. 

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.