Tag Archives: elvin bethea

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Bethea, Elvin (2)

to75 betheaCard: Topps 1975
Acquired: 11/23/2012, Fiterman Autograph Event, IP Houston Fan Fest 5/19/2013
See also: Bethea, Elvin 

Exerpt from Hornsby Howell (presenter) HOF: “After graduation from North Carolina A&T State University in 1968, Elvin was drafted by the Houston Oilers and played 16 seasons for them. He started as a defensive end in their opener in 1968 and did not miss a game until breaking his arm in November, 1977. That streak of 135 consecutive games played still stands as a club record. Elvin also holds Oilers records for the most games played – 210; most seasons played – 16, from 1968 to 1983; most Pro Bowl appearances; Elvin led the team in quarterback sacks six times, including a career mark of 14½ in 1976. In 31 years of Houston history, only three players have the distinction of having their jersey number retired, Elvin is one of those three.

Elvin is currently employed by Anheuser-Busch as the Director of Government Affairs and Special Projects for the western region. He’s been with this company for 19 years. Elvin’s quality of good character, integrity, talent, and solid work ethics, are qualities I observed in him in 1964. To his credit, these qualities have helped him make him the man he is today.”

I got Elvin via the Fiterman Autograph event in 2012. They were selling this incredible bulk pack of Oilers- to which many of them I needed for the collection, and Bethea was on the list. Dr. Doom later appeared via the 2013 Houston Fan Fest

AFL, NFL

Bethea, Elvin

Cards: Topps 1970, Topps 1974.
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o Home (Signing Fee)
Sent: 6/24  Received: 7/6  (12 days)

Always styling Elvin Bethea was known for his trademark afro, gap in his teeth or his winfield styled goatee.  Drafted by the Oilers in the 1968 AFL draft from North Carolina A&T in the 3rd round, Bethea would play technically in 3 decades of football for the Houston Oilers, from 1968-1983. He is believed to be the best prospect to come out of that draft, and a steal by the franchise. The sack statistic is widely accredited due to his amazing abilities from the outside at right defensive end, but Elvin originally began his career playing both end and guard for the Oilers. Over his career Bethea was named to the Pro Bowl 8 times, All Pro or second team 5 times, and a criminal amount of sacks unofficially listed at 105 -a team career record. He also holds the team record for most sacks in a season with 15, and made 2 career safeties.  Reliable and durable, Elvin’s 210 games at the time of his retirement were the most played by any player in an Oiler uniform. Bethea also was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and since receiving a heaping of accolades has written a book entitled, “Smashmouth: From Trenton to Canton” , documenting his life from childhood to the NFL HoF. I got Bethea’s autograph at an insanely cheap price TTM from him earlier this year. He responded quickly and I was ecstatic to receive it.

G/Gs  210/ 178    Tac 691   Sac 105   Fum 16
Int 0    Yds 0     Avg -.-    Td 0   Lg N/a