Dominating defensive end played college ball at Washington before heading over to the CFL in 1984.
Playing for the Edmonton Eskimos, racked up 18 sacks in rookie year.
Over 9 year career, never failed to notch less than 8 sacks in a season.
Also had 18 sacks in 87, and 17 in both 86 and 90.
Played the 91 and 92 seasons with the British Columbia Lions.
Finished out career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1993.
Seldom used TE as well, recorded 4 catches and 4 TDs over his career on offense.
ACCOLADES:
CFL All-CFL 1984, 89, 90
CFL West All-Star 1984, 86, 89-91
CFL Grey Cup MVP, Defense 1987
NOTES: It seemed to make a lot of sense to go ahead and pick this autograph up since it was so cheap and the seller had multitudes of the same autographed card.
CARD: 1991 All World Canadian Football ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/O Home SENT: 7/6 RECEIVED: 9/3 (59 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played for Penn State from 1984 to 1987.
Originally started career as a TE, but later in 1985 switched to LB where he earned a starting role.
As a solid cover LB, intercepted 4 passes for 94 yards over college career.
Recorded a sack and 2 picks in 1987 Fiesta Bowl.
Was not selected in 1988 NFL Draft, but signed with the local Pittsburgh Steelers.
Selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the 6th overall pick of the 1988 CFL draft.
After refusing to report was subsequently traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Played 8 seasons in Hamilton, recording a career high 77 tackles, and 3 sacks in 1990.
In 1991, posted 63 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 3 interceptions for 28 yards.
Lost starting job in 1992, and saw time on the offensive line as well.
Was well known as a leading special teams player, and concluded his career after the 1995 season.
CFL
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
247
7.0
3
5
27
5.4
0
19
NOTES:
Thanks in part to his unique Greek last name, Pete was very easy to find. It should be observed that in the past, he rarely responded through the mail from what I could tell- perhaps because of the misspelling of his name on this card, which spells his last name ‘Giftopoulus’ as opposed the correct spelling of ‘Giftopoulos’.
After a year at the University of Tennessee- Chattanooga, Eddie made his mark as a walk on at linebacker playing for the University of Alabama in 1981. In 2 years playing for The Crimson Tide, Eddie had 4 interceptions for 70 yards and a TD. Considered too small (5’10”) to play in the NFL, Eddie took his skills north to the CFL. He’d play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1983-1991.
Although tackles were not tracked by the league until 1987, Eddie posted 437 tackles, including a career high 104 in 1991. He was both effective in coverage and also as a blitzer, posting 33 sacks and 16 interceptions for 328 yards and 10 fumble recoveries.
Eddie earned CFL-All West Honors in 1989- a season in which he won the CFL Grey Cup, playing for the Roughriders. He’d retire after 1991, and move back home to Phenix City, Alabama, initially serving as a volunteer coach. Currently he is the mayor of the city and signed his All-World card for me in a very short amount of time, and included the ‘Roll Tide’ inscription.
G
TAC
SAC
FUM
151
N/A
33.0
10
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
16
328
20.5
0
51
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