Cards: Topps 1979, Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991 Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home Sent: 4/26 Received: 5/1 (6 days)
Playing at Illinois as an under-utilized TE, Doug Dieken had to wait until the 6th round of the 1971 NFL Draft to hear his name called by the Cleveland Browns. The Browns, recognizing his talent as an end sealing blocker, decided that Dieken was a better fit for offensive tackle. After learning the ropes for his rookie season, he moved into the starting lineup fulltime- a position he’d hold down for the next 12 seasons. Over that period Doug started a mammoth 193 consecutive games (while consecutively appearing in 203 games). At 6’5″, Dieken excelled as both a run and pass blocker, towering over opponents he faced on the line.
In 1983 Doug was recognized for his charitable work, earning the Byron Whizzer White Award. After retiring in 1984 Doug moved into the broadcast booth, and is considered one of the iconic players of the Browns franchise.
Doug really didn’t have any cards that stuck out- other than this post-career issued Whizzer White card, which really knocks it out of the park. Action Packed really nailed it on archival images, but unfortunately they only produced a few sets that dabbled in that. I just love the shot and the excess of grime and dirt on Dieken. It screams football.
Rajion Neal played runningback for the Tennessee Volunteers program from 2010-2013. Displaying an interesting skillset, Neal showed great hands and versatility playing runningback, Wildcat, and wide receiver. He finished with 444 carries for 2163 yards and 19 TDs, along with 66 catches for 626 yards and 5 TDs for Tennessee.
Undrafted, Rajion has seen time criss-crossing the North American continent in 3 different leagues. As a practice squad member, Neal has seen time with the Packers, Dolphins, Raiders, Steelers, and Browns in the NFL, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL.
He’d join the Memphis Express of the AAF in 2019 and make the squad, but be cut after two games. finishing with 8 carries for 15 yards, and 4 receptions for 10 yards. Rajion returned to the Tiger-Cats of the CFL but did not make the squad.
Cards: Topps 1970, Upper Deck Legends 1997, Crown Royale 2010 Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home* Sent: 3/23 Received: 4/2 (10 days) Failure: TTM 2018, C/o Home * donation required/ Do not use this address
Hall of Fame WR Paul Warfield has been on my radar for sometime. I finally got these great cards together with the required donation sent his way in 2018- but was dismayed to find out that he was no longer signing TTM. I got a form letter informing me that I had to contact his agent who then had a fee schedule. After the agent never responded to me- I gave up on Paul until I saw a few responses come back from his home address again in early 2019. Annoyed, I went ahead and penned a new letter, enclosed the cards, and the signing fee/donation.
Roughly a month later I got a note from Paul with all my cards autographed, and a check reimbursement for the money order. In the note he indicated that he was between signing schedules with his agent, and he would honor my request, and refund my donation. I was pretty floored. It was very nice of him and I felt a bit odd having a check in my hand from a HoFer but there it was. Not only is his signature unique, Paul’s handwriting is wispy elegance.
By late April of 2019, Paul had gone ahead and signed with an agent again. I had gotten very lucky hitting him in that window as his fee/donation schedule had more than doubled. Warfield no longer accepts fan mail at his home address anymore. -Save your postage and contact his agent instead.
Paul Warfield played college ball at Ohio State from 1961 through 1963. He carried the ball 196 times for 1047 yards and 8 TDs, and contributed 39 receptions for 525 yards and 3 TDs over his time at Columbus.
Selected in the 1st round by the Cleveland Browns in 1964- Cleveland saw potential in Warfield initially as a defensive back, but later in camp converted him to wide receiver instead. Paul went on to put up some truly amazing numbers over his career with the Browns. In his first 6 seasons with the team, he finished 3 of those seasons averaging more than 21 yards a catch, lead the NFL in receiving TDs in 1968 (12), and was named to 3 Pro Bowls. In a shocker Paul was traded on draft day 1970 to the Miami Dolphins for a first round pick.
Paul played the next 5 seasons for the ‘Fins. Undeterred Warfield was named the Pro Bowl every year he was with the team, and All-Pro in both 1971 and 1973. He’d average a career high 25.1 yards per catch in 1970, and then in 71 lead the NFL with 11 TDs. After the 1974 season concluded, Paul signed with the upstart WFL Memphis Southmen.
After limping through the 1975 season, the WFL folded, and Paul heard the siren’s call and returned to Cleveland. He played two final seasons there, retiring in 1978.
Paul was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983. He is also a member of the Dolphins Honor Roll and the Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor. He’s done a variety of things since then including sportscasting and working for the Browns in the front office, but is currently retired and enjoying life living in California.
NFL G/GP
REC
YDS
AVG
LG
TD
157/152
427
8565
20.1
86T
85
WFL
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
25
422
16.9
3
N/A
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