NFL

Cofer, Michael (1960-2019)

Cards: Pro Set 1989, Pro Set 1990, Fleer 1990, Score 1989.
Acquired: TTM 2010, c/o home.
Sent: 6/11/2010  Received: 6/26/2010 (15 days)

I used to play Tecmo Super Bowl non stop with my friends back in the early 1990s, and the Lions back then were still playoff competitors with Barry Sanders and the Run N Shoot offense. On defense the Lions had some great contributors and among them was Michael Cofer, a speedy blitzing linebacker. While Spielman would grab all the tackles, and Crockett would get the picks, Cofer would get the sacks. When I’d play against friends and I suspected that they were bootlegging I’d select Cofer every time and blitz from the outside before they even finished rolling out.

Michael Lynn Cofer was drafted in the 3rd round by the Detroit Lions in the infamous 1983 draft (and was technically the 9th linebacker taken.  Cofer was also taken by the New Jersey Generals in the USFL territorial draft but opted to sign with Detroit.) Playing defensive end his first two seasons, Cofer was then converted to the linebacker position in 1986 where he remained the rest of his career. Finding his home, he’d go on to notch at least 7 sacks in each of the next 5 seasons with 12 in 1988 and 10 in 1990. Roaming the fields in his black visor shield, (one of the first in the league,) Cofer was unblockable when his game was on and was compared to such greats as Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White by opposing players. He’d be named to the Pro Bowl in 1988, was named second team All NFL both of those seasons and led the team in sacks in four of those seasons.  Cofer would be bitten by the injury bug on occasion which impacted his statistics if looked at over a 10 season career, playing in 123 games.   In 1991 he suffered a knee injury in a victory at the Silverdome over the visiting Dolphins, that ended his season, and his career was never the same, retiring soon there after in 1992.

Mike, a former Vol,  has been battling with Amyloidosis and appreciates the letters of encouragement he receives from fans.

If you are a fan who has benefited from his generosity in person or through the mail or considering writing him through the mail, please donate to his gofundme effort. 5, 10, 20 – It all helps and Mike needs our help now.

G  123       Tac   N/a      Sac 62.5     Fum 10
Int  1     Yds 0       Avg 0.0      TD 0

3/21/19 UPDATE: Mike Cofer passed away today after a lengthy battle with Amyloidosis. Over the last two years I tried to do what I could and gave his GoFundMe about 50 bucks. It was the least I could do. From all accounts that I had read, he was a good man. Mike was just 58.

AFL, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Blanda, George (1927-2010)

Card: Topps 1972
Acquired: TTM 2010, c/o home
Sent: 3/26  Received: 4/13  (18 days)

This card was the oldest card in my collection (for a time) ironically because my friend Josh brought over his card collection and accidentally spilled them all over the floor. He let me have this card, because he thought it was in such bad condition that it was trash.  Being the big Oiler fan I am, I knew about George’s history with the team, but it never seemed to cross my mind to locate him for an autograph and for many years the card languished in my collection.  I started a TTM drive to get autographs of many of the classic Oilers after watching the NFL Network presentation of “Full Color Football”. (While the broadcast gives the AFL some credit, it still failed to give the Oilers teams credit of the early 60s, Charlie Hennigan any exposure, and does not acknowledge the contributions of many of our now injured and fallen gladiators in dire need of medical attention and pension assistance.) George was at the top of the list.

George Blanda is an amazing story of longevity in sports history. In a sport like football, with players average playing time of less than 5 years, Blanda would play in 4 different decades, spanning 26 seasons, longer than any other player in football history. He began playing for the NFL in 1949 for the Bears, where he’d play for 10 seasons. Forced with an ultimatum to become a kicker full time and not a quarterback, he opted to retire; However fate would smile upon “The Grand Old Man” who was granted a reprieve when the upstart AFL started in 1960. Signed by the Houston Oilers, he led them to the first 3 championships, winning the first and second with an impressive aerial attack. After seven seasons, he’d move on to play with the Raiders, where he served as backup quarterback and kicker for the team for an additional nine seasons. Blanda at the time of his retirement held the record for most games played and most points scored. He was inducted into the Pro Football HOF in 1981.

G 340   Att 4007   Comp 1911    Avg 47.6    Yds 26920
Td 236    Int 277
FG 335    Att 641   XPA 943    XPM 959    Pts 2002

UPDATE -George Blanda passed away quietly at the age of 84 on September 27th, 2010.  He is survived by his wife and 11 children.

AFL, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Stenerud, Jan

Cards: Proset 1991, Topps 1970, Memorabilia.
Acquired: In person, CGA Youth Golf Tournament 1993. TTM, 1993.

Back in 1993 I went to the CGA Youth Golf Tournament in Austin, Tx with one mission in mind: get as many football player autographs as possible. I would not be disappointed. Jan Stenerud was one of the many players that I got on that 3 day bonanza that I made a drawing for. He signed the Topps 1970 and the Pro Set Hall of Fame card I got. (He is probably one of the tannest white people I have ever met.) Later much like Dick Anderson, I received a letter in the mail thanking me for my drawing and encouraging me to continue with art from Jan. He also sent me a personalized piece of memorabilia. It was quite a surprise and very nice of him.

Jan was born in Norway and came to the United States on a ski jumping scholarship for Montana State. When coaches saw his ability to kick the football, he was quickly put on the football team. In 1965 utilizing a soccer style kick, he put a 59 yarder through the uprights in what was a college football record at the time. Stenerud would go on to play for the Chiefs in the AFL as one of the first pure place kickers. His career spanned 3 decades (60s, 70s, and 80s) and 3 teams (Chiefs, Packers, and Vikings). A two time AFL All Star,  4 time Pro Bowler,  7 time All Pro, both in the NFL and Packers and Chiefs HOF, and on the NFL 75th All-Time Team, Stenerud was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1991 as the first ‘pure’ kicker. Jan still retains strong ties with his native country, and has been recently involved with a firm that designs arenas and sports stadiums.

G 263     FG 373     FGA 558   XP 580   XPA  601   Pts   1699

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