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

NFL, WLAF

Teeter, Mike

Cards: ProSet 1991, ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home
Sent:  8/27/10  Received: 1/10/11  (130 days)

At 6’2″, 266 defensive end seemed more fitting for the former Michigan alum who was incredibly speedy (4.6) and strong (bench 600 lbs) for his size, but in the end Mike Teeter would play nose tackle in the 3-4 alignment for the Frankfurt Galaxy’s top rated defense in 1991. He’d be named second team All-World after making 3 sacks that season. After his WLAF stint Teeter would return stateside landing on the Houston Oilers roster in 1993. He’d make a sack that season but would not see any real significant playing time through 1994. He’d sign with Carolina in 1995, and then the Cardinals in 1996 before retiring. He also had short stints on the Eagles and Colts. Teeter afterwards would spend time coaching defensive line at Indiana, and was named to the Muskegon Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. I love getting WLAF autographs, especially the teams based in Europe so I was happy to get this one in the mail over 100 days after I sent it out. Below are Mike’s WLAF stats.

G/Gs  10/10   Tac  N/a   Sac 3.0  Fum N/a

College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Marino, Dan

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Score 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament

The crown gem of my celebrity golf tournament autograph requests, I’ve been dreading doing the bio for Dan Marino as he has so many accolades, it’s easy to miss some of them and his write up would be huge.

Well Dan Marino was quite nice at the tournament. He literally got swarmed and I dived into the fold. When he realized he was being surrounded he asked us to all line up in an orderly line and he’d sign a limit of 3 cards a piece for us. (The SkyBox and the Score cards are two of my favorite cards, while the Action Packed was just part of a set that I swore to complete and know I never will.) Anyway, I know now that Marino gets so overwhelmed with requests TTM it’s basically a waste of time now- and any sender gets their cards returned with a thanks but sorry letter, so I consider myself quite lucky in that regard to not only have 1 but 3 autographs from him.

Dan Marino went to the University of Pittsburgh, where he virtually shattered all the college quarterback records while leading them to some of their most memorable seasons ever but was unable to ever win the Heisman. Marino would be a part of the historic 1983 draft, that would include such notables as John Elway, Ken O’ Brien and Jim Kelly with so far 6 Hall of Famers have come out of this draft. His stock would plummet before the draft, and Dan would be passed up in favor for such notables as Todd Blackledge and Tony Eason. At #27 Dan Marino would drop out of the sky and into the Dolphins lap. Don Shula‘s Dolphins were at that time still a traditionally strong running team, but Marino’s imprint on the franchise would be so indelible, that the team would quickly become one of the most prolific air attacks in the league over the next 15 seasons. Dan Marino encompasses the definition of a traditional drop back passer. With a powerful arm, lightning quick release, great pocket awareness, and an intelligent understanding of the intricacies of the game, Marino would be named to the ProBowl and AP 9 times while making the playoffs 10 times out of 17 seasons. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, he held virtually every passing record when he retired, being the first player to throw for over 5000 yards in a season. In 2003 he was inducted into the college football hall of fame, had his number retired and has a statue also bearing his likeness outside of the Dolphins’ stadium. Dan has gone into broadcasting, been involved in charitable work, and has had lucrative endorsement spokesperson for Weight Watchers, Isotoner gloves, and Papa John’s Pizza.

G/Gs  242/240   Att 8358    Comp 4967   Yds 61361   Pct 59.4    Td 420   Int 252  Rat 86.4

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