Jimmy Garoppolo played QB for Eastern Illinois from 2010-’13.
Playing in 45 games, he set multiple records at the school.
In his Senior season he completed 375 of 568 passes for 5050 yards and 53 TDs.
Selected by the New England Patriots in the 2nd round of the 2014 NFL Draft as one of the many heir apparents to Tom Brady.
He sparingly saw action through 3 seasons, but put up solid numbers, completing 63 of 94 passes for 690 yards and 5 TDs.
Traded to the 49ers near the tail end of the trading period of the 2017 season.
Went 5-0 during that season, creating a heavy amount of hype going into 2018.
Jimmy G got only 3 games under his belt before his season ended due to an ACL tear.
In 2019, he had an impressive season for the ‘9ers, leading the team to Super Bowl LIV.
Threw for 3979 yards and 27 TDs completing 329 of 476 passes.
A troublesome high ankle sprain tainted his encore in 2020, as he played in only 6 contests.
The ‘9ers began to restock their QB room trading up for Trey Lance and selecting little known QB Brock Purdy.
Returned to near form in 2021, completing 301 of 441 passes for 3,810 yards and 20 TDs.
In 2022, the ‘9ers named Trey Lance as starter right out of the gate.
Garoppolo didn’t have to wait long to get back into the starting lineup as Trey Lance was injured in the first game of the season.
He was able to rally the team into playoff contention but Jimmy too got injured and his season ended during Week 13.
Jimmy signed in 2023 with Las Vegas- reuniting him with his offensive coordinator of the Patriots and now head coach of the Raiders- Josh McDaniels.
The Raiders were a dumpster fire under McDaniels and Raider management.
McDaniels’ and Jimmy’s tenure in LV lasted just one season.
Currently Jimmy G is a backup QB for the Los Angeles Rams.
ACCOLADES:
2013 Walter Payton Award Winner
NOTES:
I saw that Jimmy G. was signing through the ‘9ers organization and sent out to him back in 2021. In the meantime I saw a lot of people get his autograph back that sent to him after me. So in 2022, I sent to his home address. After about a year I saw the two come back from his home address.
I didn’t think I’d ever get the other two back from his time with the ‘9ers, but apparently I was at the bottom of the refilled mail bag!
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.
Topps 1979, #115Upper Deck Legends 1997, #76
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
Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl XVI Insert, #162008 Upper Deck Football Heroes, #238
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.
Donruss 2020, #70
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
