Rufus Porter was a big, rangy LB that played college ball at Southern.
Going undrafted in 1988, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and was a surprising diamond in the rough found by the franchise.
Recorded 16 special teams tackles, and saw time as a defensive end and nickle situations later in the season.
Recorded 10.5 sacks, and led Seattle with 4 forced fumbles in ’89.
Had another 10 sack appearance in ’91, and a 9.5 effort in ’92.
After two consecutive down seasons with the Seahawks, Rufus took his game to New Orleans in ’96.
Earned a gameball for his play against the Colts that season.
Played one final season in Tampa in 1997.
ACCOLADES:
1988, ’89 Pro Bowl
Steve Largent Award 1991
Fleer 1990, #272
NOTES:
Rufus was blessed to come onto the NFL scene and get in on nearly all the big sets from the Big Bang of cards during the late 80s and early 90s. As he was on all my set needs, I got him on two cards back in 2021 and then realized he was in every other set. I didn’t want to put him on blast so soon after he started signing so I waited 2 years to ask for his autograph on these remaining set needs.
Oddly Rufus appears in the Action Packed series 3 times, almost scoring a trifecta at #256 in every set- only to appear as #257 in 1992.
It can not be emphasized how awesome many of these cards are. The neck roll was obligatory for many of the linebackers during this period and the Action Packed 1990 and the Skybox Impact ’92 really show it off. If you wanted to be an intimidator, a neck roll was a first good step.
Porter appears in all Tecmo Super Bowl games. He was affectionately referred to as ‘ROOF!’, By the Kingdome faithful who would yell his name after he made a big play.
Gary Plummer played junior college ball before transferring over to Cal where he played NT.
After going undrafted in 1983, played for the Oakland Invaders of the USFL.
The Invaders decided Plummer’s best fit would be at LB- a position he’d play for the remainder of his pro career.
Gary played in 53 USFL contests over his career, lodging 2 sacks, and 6 picks.
Still, Gary was not selected during the 1984 USFL Supplemental Player Draft, so he’d be a free agent after the league folded following the ’85 season.
Signed by the San Diego Chargers, Gary quickly became a starter for the team, as he had strong versatility at the position.
Over his career in the league, Gary started nearly every LB position in 3-4 or 4-3 alignments.
He played the next 8 seasons there in SD, racking up 792 tackles.
At the grand old age of 35, he signed with the 49ers in 1995.
After winning a Super Bowl against his former team, Plummer went on to play for the ‘9ers through the 1997 season.
Action Packed 1990, #237Skybox 1992, #113
NOTES:
A member of Tecmo Super Bowl, with some great cards, I thought it was fine time to add Gary to my collection. He has a very nice autograph. I really like the unique curvature of his signature, especially the ‘G’. I appreciate him taking the time to sign my cards, with apparently a pretty fresh sharpie.
Eugene Marve played LB for the Saginaw Valley State football team from 1978-81, and is credited for really helping to put the school on the map.
In 1981, he tallied a school record 124 tackles and 9 sacks.
Marve closed out his time with the Cardinals with 299 total tackles and 18 career sacks.
Originally a 3rd round pick of the Buffalo Bills, Marve quickly came into his own, posting 63 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles in 1982.
Eugene was a fixture in the Buffalo defense through the 1986 season starting 74 of 76 contests.
He’d also lead the team in tackles 3 times, and finish second twice.
During a game against the Patriots in 1983, Eugene had an amazing single game 23 tackles.
In 1988, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in exchange for an 8th round pick.
A rare steal for the Bucs, Marve dropped 121 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pick that year.
In fact he led the team in tackles, going over 100 tackles every time.
At the end of the 1991 season, Marve had 1126 total tackles.
He’d join the Chargers for a final campaign in 1992, retiring after the season.
ACCOLADES:
Saginaw Valley State Hall of Fame 2010
Greater Flint Area Hall of Fame
NFL All-Rookie Team 1982
NOTES:
Eugene was a pretty good signer TTM, up until his passing. He was always one of those ones with great cards I was always just about to send out to, but never did. I got lucky and picked this autograph up with a small batch of other Action Packed Bucs cards I had wanted.
EPITAPH:
5/26/21- Eugene passed away at the age of 60, after entering the hospital for an undisclosed medical issue. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
8.0
8
3
30
10.0
0
29
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
