Tag Archives: 80 greatest redskins

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Taylor, Charlie (1941-2022)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-14

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Selected by the Redskins (NFL) and the Oilers (AFL) in the league’s respective drafts, but opted to play for Washington.
  • Burst onto the scene in 1964 rushing for 755 yards and receiving 814.
  • At the time his 54 receptions by a rookie was an NFL record.
  • In 1966, caught 72 passes for 1119 yards, 12 TDs and an 86 yard long.
  • Redskins officially converted Taylor to LE (left end) in 1967.
  • Caught 70 passes for 990 yards and 9 TDs, including another 86 yard long that year.
  • In 1969, was officially classified a WR and responded with another 71 catch season (883 yards) and a career high 88 yard long reception.
  • Remained remarkably productive during dead ball era during mid-70s, producing 801 yards in 73, 738 in 74, and 744 in 75.
  • Lost entire 76 season to knee injury.
  • Returned for one final season in 77.
  • Finished career with 10,598 yards from scrimmage, and 90 total TDs.
  • At time of retirement, his 649 receptions were an NFL record.
  • Spent next 3 decades with franchise, working first in the front office and later as a WR coach for Washington.
  • Passed away in early 2022, at the age of 80.

ACCOLADES:

  • Rookie of the Year 1964
  • All-Pro 1967
  • Second Team All-Pro 1964, 66, 68-69, 74
  • Pro Bowl 1964-67, 1972-75
  • All-Decade Team 1960s
  • Washington Commanders Ring of Fame
  • 80 Greatest Redskins
  • NFL Receiving leader 1966-67
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame 1984

NOTES:

Charlie hadn’t signed very much since 2012, so I decided to go the certified route when the pandemic hit. It was a fun time being able to hit the EBay market and pick up a few of the Upper Deck Legends set before it blew up.

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NFL, Pro Football HoF

Hanburger, Chris ‘The Hangman’

Card: Topps 1970
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Home
Sent: 7/9 Received: 7/19      (10 days)

Chris Hanburger thought the door had closed on his attempts to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame- so he was pleasantly surprised to get the nod as a Seniors candidate in 2011. It’s a great story really. Chris has been so good to the TTM community and fans for years, so it was long overdue that the Redskins linebacker received the honor after his accolade laden career concluded. 

I mean, who knows if much was expected from the little known 18th round selection out of North Carolina in 1965. Regardless, Chris put together a remarkable 14 year career with 9 Pro Bowl nominations (1966-1969, 1972-1976) and All-Pro Honors (69, 72, 73, and 75) setting the standard for professional play at outside linebacker, durability (135 straight games started), and as a member of the Redskins’ Over the Hill Gang.

I had been wanting to get Chris’ autograph for a while, but had to find the perfect card to get signed. I had no clue that he had a Topps 1970- but considering that he was playing during that period, I should have assumed that there was this great golden era card. It was nice of him to personalize and put an inscription to the card- but it’s too bad that the inscription was slightly smudged.

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