CARD: Fleer 1990, Action Packed 1990, Pro Set 1989 ACQUIRED: eBay, 2025, TTM 2026, C/o Home SENT: 3/21/26 RECEIVED: 4/9/26 (19 days) FAILURE: TTM 2021, C/o San Diego Strikeforce
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Burt Grossman rose to prominence as a defensive end for Pitt from 1985-88.
A rangy, prototypical defensive lineman, with great speed, Burt was limited in his Senior campaign in ’88 due to an ankle injury.
Still managed to post 71 tackles, 7 sacks and 17 quarterback pressures.
Highest rated defensive lineman who was selected 8th overall, in the 1989 NFL Draft.
Plugged in as a starter at RDE and posted 10 sacks and 60+ tackles in back to back seasons (1989 and 1990).
Played for the San Diego Chargers through the ’93 campaign.
In 5 seasons, Burt tallied 255 tackles, 38.0 sacks, 3 safeties, and 5 fumbles in 71 games.
Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994, and tallied 21 tackles and 5.5 sacks, before suffering a career ending neck injury.
Afterwards Burt went into TV and media journalism writing for the now defunct “National Football Post” and co-hosting the Eagles Hour.
Named HC of the IFL San Diego Strikeforce in 2019.
After COVID, Burt did not return to coach the team.
ACCOLADES:
Regional Sports Emmy Award 1995
NOTES:
Burt’s not a reliable signer TTM so I went ahead and picked this one up via eBay. Then literally a week or so after I put this post together, he just started signing out of the blue! I ran the Pro Set and the Action Packed out the door as soon as I could, but couldn’t find the Skybox 92. The TTM gods were looking out for me as a half torn, damaged envelope arrived with the two autographs inside.
Despite his injury shortened career ‘Big Mouth’ was a pretty solid DL notching 43.5 sacks in 6 seasons. Burt’s legendary big mouth was chronicled in Sports Illustrated in 1990.
Took job in same capacity for the Buffs at Colorado in 2013.
Was in Boulder through 2017 before hopping over to coach for Steve Spurrier and the Orlando Apollos of the AAF in 2019.
Coached in the XFL 2020 with the Dallas Renegades before the COVID pandemic killed the league.
NOTES:
So I’ve been after Jim since I got him way back at Westlake High School when the Cowboys had a scrimmage there in… 1991 I think? He had a really nice Fleer card, that I even drew into a larger picture later. Beyond that I had set needs with the Pro Set 89 and the Action Packed card that have emerged over the years.
The 2019 AAF Certified HACK card is one that I made well after the league folded. I remember asking for his autograph after the Orlando Apollos beat the Commanders in San Antonio. He just glared at me and stormed away. It was one of the few times I feared for my life asking for an autograph. Ha ha.
Jim doesn’t sign TTM so to get him via a paid signing for such a nice price, it was totally worth it.
Kyle Clifton played college ball at TCU from 1980-’83.
Upon arriving at TCU Clifton was a quarterback, but by his Sophomore season had fully converted to the rigors of linebacker- playing both inside and outside ‘backer.
Broke the school’s single season tackle record in ’83, posting 189 total stops.
Selected in the 3rd round of the ’84 draft by the New York Jets.
After Bob Crable went down with an injury in the middle of the defense, Kyle stepped in.
Finished with 113 tackles in his rookie campaign.
He’d lead the squad in 1985 with 160 while chipping in 3 picks.
In 1988, Kyle had a banner campaign with 162 total tackles, and 4 forced fumbles.
He quickly broke the 1k tackle barrier in 1990, posting a career high 199 tackles that year.
Kyle continued to be a force in the middle, leading the team in tackles over 5 straight seasons.
In 1994, Kyle blew out his knee, ending his streak at 6 seasons with 130+ tackles.
And that was that- as in 1995 he came in off the bench and seldom saw playtime, retiring after the ’96 campaign and 204 contests.
At the time of his retirement, he was the Jets’ career leading tackler with 1,484 stops, and second all-time in league history (since surpassed).
NOTES:
Over Kyle’s quiet career in New York, you’d think that he’d have garnered more attention based on his incredible run stopping prowess, leading the league in 1985, ’86 and ’88. He also ranked in the top 10 in solo tackles seven times. Kyle is a great example of a run stopping tackle monster not getting their due. Despite his resume, the Jets have yet to induct Clifton into their Ring of Honor, as of the time of this post.
Kyle had a lot of cards that fit my set needs so I was lucky enough that he’d sign 4 for me.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
