Cards: Pro Set 1990 DRoY, Pro Set 1990 Interception Leader, Action Packed Rookies 1990 Acquired: 2019, Paid Signing
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played safety at USC from 1987-1989.
First player in USC history to win the Jim Thorpe award after a banner year in 1989 with 107 total tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 7 picks for 58 yards.
Selected in the first round, 6th overall, by the Chicago Bears in the 1990 NFL Draft to play free safety.
Recorded Bears rookie record 10 interceptions.
Played 7 seasons with Bears from making 20 interceptions for 197 yards and a TD along with 10 FF, and 587 TT.
Spent 1997-1999 with division rival Detroit, playing in 44 games and adding another 11 picks and 5 FF.
Last season in 2000 was with the Redskins.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
1990 Defensive Rookie of the Year
100 Greatest Bears of All-Time
Jim Thorpe Award (1989)
Pro Bowl (1990, 1991, 1993)
All Pro 1990
Second Team All Pro 1991
Action Packed Rookies 1990, #30. Pro Set 1991 Interception Leader, #18
NOTES:
This signing was quite affordable- I believe coming in at $10.00 a card, so I threw 3 out there. He’s nearly impossible to get by mail so I was very happy to get him on my Action Packed Rookies as it is a set need. It is a disappointing card, as it is his back… looks like in a huddle, and his face and hands are completely obscured.
Pro Set though- great cards. In fact he shares a Pro Set 1990 #800 with Emmitt Smith that was part of the Update set you mailed out for, as well as card #1 in Pro Set 1991. If another signing comes around this cheap, I will try again, even though his autograph is quite pedestrian.
Mark Carrier makes his debut in Tecmo Super Bowl and is a monster on defense for the Bears secondary clocking in as the 5th rated defensive back with the highest interception ability.
Recorded 379 tackles and 5 sacks playing for the Buckeyes from 1982-1985.
New York Giants 2nd Round pick out of Ohio State in 1986 who was penciled in to play inside linebacker replacing Harry Carson.
Equally adept dropping into pass coverage or laying down the wood on opposing ball carriers.
Giants leading tackler in 1988, 1990-1992.
Pepper joined the Cleveland Browns in 1993, reuniting him with former Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichick, who used him at both inside and outside linebacker.
Johnson led the Browns in tackles with 207 in 1994, and 195 in 1995.
Went on to play for the Lions (96), and Jets (97/98).
Joined coaching staff of the Patriots in 2000 as a positional coach, and coached there through 2013.
Later Pepper coached for the Bills (14), Jets (15/16), in the AAF with the Memphis Express (2019), and briefly with the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL (2020).
In 2021 Pepper coached for IMG Academy in Florida.
Topps AAF 2019 #78
ACCOLADES:
Pepper is a two time Pro Bowler (90/94).
First team All-Pro (90).
Two time Super Bowl champion as player (XXI, XXV).
Three time Super Bowl champion as coach (XXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX)
NOTES:
Pepper’s given name is Thomas. His nickname came from his habit of sprinkling pepper on his cereal as a child.
Pepper’s time in the XFL as a defensive coach lasted just one game as defensive coordinator of the Wildcats in 2020. He was fired after the team allowed 4 TD passes against the Houston Roughnecks in their season opener.
Card: Playoff Contenders 2000 European Ticket Acquired: 2021, Future Prospects
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played 4 years for Ohio State from 1994-1997, rushing for 3036 yards.
Best year came in 1996, rushing for 1484 yards and 17 TDs, while catching 19 passes for 218 yards and finishing with 1702 yards from scrimmage for the Buckeyes.
Went undrafted in 1998 and bounced around the NFL on practice squads and offseason rosters with the 49ers, Browns, Lions, Jaguars, Steelers, Buccaneers, and Bears.
Joined the NFLE in 2000, playing for the Rhein Fire.
Ranked second in the league with 486 yards rushing and 3 TDs on 102 carries that year.
Scored the game winning touchdown in World Bowl 2000.
In 2001, topped those totals rushing for 597 yards on 166 carries (3 TDs).
Briefly saw time on the roster of the XFL Las Vegas Outlaws in 2001.
Has extensive coaching experience as a positional coach (Ohio Dominican, Youngstown State, Marshall, Dayton Warbirds, and as of 2021 at Tennessee State.)
Also had head coaching stops in the AFL2 with the Daytona Beach Hawgs (04/05) and the Marion Mayhem (08/09) where with the latter he also served as GM.
As of the time of this post, is currently offensive coordinator for Eddie George at Tennessee State.
NFLE
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
268
1083
4.0
6
46
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
37
297
8.0
1
34t
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
