CARD: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991 ACQUIRED: 2023, EBay
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played both ways at Grambling University- at OT and DE.
Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 1956 NFL Draft.
Due to military commitments, did not see the field until 1958.
Traded to Green Bay in 1960 and played exclusively at DE.
A significant contributor to the Packers defensive dominance during the 60s.
Never missed a game during his ten seasons with the Packers.
Captained Green Bay to 5 NFL Championships and 2 Super Bowl wins.
Sacks and tackles were not officially tracked statistics, but unofficially Willie has been credited with in excess of 125 sacks, including 25 in one season.
Retired after the 1969 season.
Dabbled in color commentary and was president of a series of radio stations.
Served as a director on the ’84 US Olympic Committee.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Football Hall of Fame 1981
Byron Whizzer White Award 1969
NAACCP Man of the Year Award 1978
Willie Davis Day 12/21/1969
All Pro 1962-’67
Pro Bowl 1963-’67
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
NFL All 1960’s Team
NOTES:
Willie Davis is frequently confused with the WR by the same name and vice versa. Since Davis passed away, I didn’t hold out much hope getting him on anything. The Packer legend remains in demand even after passing and I had a quick and protracted fight with another EBay buyer to get this one off their hands.
EPITAPH:
4/15/20- Willie passed away peacefully at Santa Monica Hospital due to kidney failure at the age of 85.
CARD: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991 ACQUIRED: EBay, 2023
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Gene Upshaw played OL for Texas A&I from 1963-’66.
He was selected by Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 1967 draft.
Considered one of the finest OL to ever play, was a fixture at OG for the Raiders for 16 seasons.
Has numerous distinctions on resume, including being the first player to appear in a Super Bowl in 3 different decades, and most consecutive starts to begin NFL career (231).
Offensive team captain for 9 seasons (1973-’81).
Was a firsthand witness to many of the NFL’s most memorable games such as the Ghost to the Post, The Sea of Hands, and the Holly Roller.
During NFL career became extremely active in union activity with the NFLPA, eventually ascending to Executive Director.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
All Pro 1970, ’74, ’77
Second Team All Pro 1971-’73, ’75
Pro Bowl 1972-’77
All AFL All Star 1968
NFL All Decade Team 1970s
Byron Whizzer White Award 1980
NFL 75th Anniversary Team
NFL 100th Anniversary Team
Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
1982 A. Phillip Randolph Award
NOTES:
Gene had long passed by the time I got around to this set, so I thought it’d be a challenge to get any of the deceased players. Much to my amazement his autograph showed up a few years ago on EBay on this exact card- but I forgot to place a bid and missed out on it. I was kicking myself for quite a while on it until this one popped up at the same time Willie Davis appeared. I pulled the trigger on both and was able to add both of them to my collection.
It should be noted that Gene’s autograph… is upside down.
EPITAPH:
9/20/2008- Gene passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer, surrounded by friends and family at the Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA. He was 63.
After his passing his family established a foundation in his name, and an annual golf tournament to help cover patient and family costs, at the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center.
