Tag Archives: Action packed 1991

NFL

Stark, Rohn

Card: Action Packed 1991
Acquired: TTM 1992, Colts Blitz

An All-American decathalete and punter at Florida State, Rohn Stark was the most decorated punter to play college football since Ray Guy. (He was also a killer punter during the 80s and 90s with the Colts. He not only played for the Indianapolis Colts but also the Baltimore Colts- before they got in the Mayflower trucks and headed East.) Stark would also be a part of probably the best kicker and punter combination in Tecmo Bowl being paired with Dean Biasucci, and ironically year over year they’d be the most consistent part of the Colts through their combined tenure up to the end of 1994.
Originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 2nd round of the 1982 draft, Rohn would really come into his own by 1983 where he’d be named 2nd team AP with a gaudy 45.3 average and lead the league with over 4100 yards. His 1984 would be equally impressive as Stark would lead the league with 98 punts that season. 85 and 86 would be ProBowl caliber seasons, leading the league in average yards per punt with a 45.9 and a 45.2 yard average respectively. While the rest of his career would not see him reach such levels- Rohn would never average below 40 yards per punt during 13 seasons but would return to the ProBowl again in 1990 and 1992. With free agency and the salary cap making players and positions more expendable, Stark would leave via free agency in 1995, playing one season in Pittsburgh where he made his lone SuperBowl appearance. In 1996 he’d put his skills to work for the Carolina Panthers, and in 1997 finish out his career with the Seattle Seahawks. Rohn also held on extra points and field goal attempts and was notably left footed- meaning the ball was spinning the opposite direction than punt returners would expect after he would punt it. Stark holds another odd accomplishment as the only Baltimore Colt to play against the Baltimore Ravens. At the time of his retirement in 1997, Stark was top 5 in career punts and yardage. Stark like many other punters, will probably never get his due as the NFL HoF shows little respect for the position.

G/Gs 233/233    P 1141      Yds 49471    Avg 43.4    Lg 72   Blk  7

NFL

Stephens, John (1966-2009)

Cards: Action Packed 1991, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 1992, Patriots Blitz

John Stephens was a bruising halfback drafted in the first round of the 1988 draft by the New England Patriots. A tough, relatively unknown competitor from a small Louisiana college, John would burst onto the scene and in his rookie season it would culminate with him taking the offensive rookie of the year award home rushing for 1168 yards and a Pro Bowl nod.   A relatively plain halfback with excellent quickness and relentless, churning legs, he would lead the Patriots in rushing the next two seasons, but never eclipse the 1,000 yard mark or return to the ProBowl with injuries beginning to slow him down. With Leonard Russell drafted in 1991, John would be relegated to backup- but refused to give up and moved to fullback where he refined himself as a tough blocker. He’d stay with the team through 1992. In 1993 he’d play in one final season splitting time with the Chiefs, Packers and Falcons before retiring. Since then, John had led a relatively quiet life in the Louisiana area, but tragically was killed in 2009 when his car slammed into a tree and he was thrown from the car. Below are his career statistics:

G/Gs 88/64    Att 945    Yds 3440   Avg 3.6   Td 18   Lg 52  |
Rec 105     Yds 812     Avg 7.7    Td 1    Lg 43

NFL

Langhorne, Reggie

Cards: Action Packed 1990, Action Packed 1991
Acquired: TTM 1993, C/o The Indianapolis Colts

In 1985, the Cleveland Browns selected Reggie Langhorne out of little known Elizabeth City State College in the 7th round to be paired along with new quarterback Bernie Kosar. Overall the ’85 draft is well regarded, and Langhorne would be drafted along with such notable wide receiver talent as Andre Reed and Eric Martin.  After a rough first season, Reggie would get more playing time in 1986 and would provide a long bomb threat for the team, averaging 17.4 yards a catch on 39 receptions, but perhaps his best season with the Browns was in 1988 where he would catch 7 touchdowns on 57 receptions. Langhorne would continue to provide the team with help from the slot, but in 1992 hopped over to Indianapolis via Plan B. Reggie would immediately help out young quarterback Jeff George over the next two seasons, recording a career high 1038 yards in 1993 – leading the AFC in receptions. After the team only won 4 games that season, the Colts would purge their veteran roster along with him. Langhorne would retire but is most well remembered by fans for his playing time with the Cleveland Browns and the touchdown he caught against the Oilers to help them make the playoffs in 1988.

Since football Reggie has managed over a variety of charitable activities including former teammate Eddie Johnson’s Charitable Fund and does commentary on Browns games for WOIO. In 2010, Reggie was badly injured in a biking accident when he was hit by a car. He broke his clavicle, fibula, a rib and had a massive concussion, and will be in physical therapy for 7 to 9 months. Ironically this injury post football put him out of commission longer than any injury he got while he was playing.

G/GS 134/109      Rec  411        Yds 5406        Avg 13.3      Td 19        Lg 77T