CARDS: Donruss 2020, Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl XVI, Upper Deck Football Heroes 2008, Topps 1979, Upper Deck Legends 1997, Top Notch Signature Select
ACQUIRED: TTM 2018, 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 1/2/21 RECEIVED: 1/13/21 (11 days)
SENT: 9/10/18 RECEIVED: 1/29/21 (872 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

• Ken Anderson played QB for Augustana College from 1967-70.
•  Finished college career ranked fifth in NCAA history for career total offense yardage (6,679).
• 3rd round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1971.
• Became starter in 1972.
• Played for the Bengals for his entire 16 year career.
• Led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance (XVI).
• Set the NFL single season record for completions 70.6 (since surpassed – Drew Brees).
• Led league in completion percentage in 1974, ’82, ’83.
• Led league in passing yards in both 1974 and 75.
• Led league in passer rating in 1974, ’75, ’81, and ’82.
• As of 2023 holds the Bengals records for completions, passing yards, TDs and rushing yards by a Cincinnati QB.
• Coached with the Bengals from 1993-2002, Jaguars from 2003-06, and Steelers from 2007-09.

ACCOLADES:

• Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame 2003
• NFL MVP 1981
• Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
• Pro Bowl 1975-76, ’81, ’82
• All-Pro 1981
• Second Team All-Pro 1975
• NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1981
• NFL Comeback Player of the Year 1981
• NFL Man of the Year 1975

NOTES:

I had sent out to Ken back in 2018, but since he lives in SC, he was square in the path of I think Hurricane Sandy that month. Looking back now, it seems that my request from that year was in the bottom of his mailbag. Ken ended up responding to my retry before my original request, if that makes any sense. His 872 day response falls short of the top 10 waits by about 150 days.

I didn’t buy any NFL cards from 2020, but my friend Joe who helps me run a Facebook group had so many of the Donruss he sent me the entire set. I like the design of it but, considering how much prices have gone up I wouldn’t buy any of these in the wild unless they were discounted.

I really like ‘Long Tom’ cards like the Gameday set, so I thought I’d try my hand at making a few customs. It was a pain to do initially as no printer handles this size, but I designed the canvas to have some areas of white so that it was perfect for the autograph. His autograph looks great on this. I’m not sure if I’ll do anymore of these cards, but time will tell.

I am firmly in the camp that Ken Anderson belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His numbers compare favorably with fellow WCO alum and HoFer Dan Fouts yet Anderson played during the Dead Ball era earlier in his career.