Tag Archives: fleer 1990

Johnson, Norm ‘Mr. Automatic’

Fleer 1990, #268

CARD: Fleer 1990
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Norm Johnson was a placekicker for UCLA from 1980-’81.
  • Over those two years he locked in 64 of 65 extra points, and 24 of 33 field goals.
  • He was signed as an UDFA by the Seattle Seahawks in 1982.
  • Played the next 9 seasons for the team, and in 4 of those seasons accounted for 20 or more field goals.
  • Signed with Atlanta in 1991, played with the Falcons through 1994.
  • In 1993, he went 26 of 27 on fieldgoals, including a 54 yard long.
  • Joined the Steelers in 1995, and immediately paid dividends hitting 34 of 41 field goals that year at Three Rivers to lead the NFL in both those categories.
  • Played final season for the Eagles in 1999.
  • Finished career with a whopping 1,736 points in 273 games played.

ACCOLADES:

  • All Pro 1984
  • Second Team All Pro 1993
  • Pro Bowl 1984, ’93
  • Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team

NOTES:

Norm played for the ‘Seattle Knights’ on Tecmo Bowl- and he was absolutely terrible. The season that his player stats were based off of, 1985, was an outlier, and his worst season as a pro, when he hit 14 of 25 field goals. In general, Norm was a very reliable kicker throughout his playing career, but he could never shake that bad moniker for me.

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Toney, Anthony

CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Fleer 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Work
SENT: 12/26 RECEIVED: 1/6/24 (11 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Anthony Toney played from 1984-’85 for the Texas A&M Aggies at RB.
  • He saw action in 20 contests posting 271 carries for 1238 yards, 18 TDs, and 9 receptions for 68 yards.
  • The Eagles selected Toney in the second round of the 1986 Draft to compliment first round pick Keith Byars.
  • He’d be put into the lineup as a FB, where he’d be in a pretty heavy rotation rushing and catching the ball out of the backfield over 5 seasons.
  • 1987 was perhaps his best season, when he carried the rock 127 times for 473 yards and 5 TDs.
  • He’d also post a career high 39 receptions for 341 yards and have 814 yards from scrimmage.
  • Had a career high 582 yards rushing in 1989.
  • Cut after the 1991 preseason and retired soon thereafter due to hamstring issues.
  • Recognized for contributions to the Boys & Girls Club of Salinas, Ca.

NOTES:

For a while there Texas A&M was quite the RB and FB factory. Anthony, Roger Vick, Johnny Hector, Keith Woodside, Robert Wilson, and Darren Lewis all ended up playing in the NFL during a 10 year period there.

Shout out to my TTM friend Chris, who got Toney first and hit me up with Toney’s address. Anthony is not a heavy signer through the mail, so I consider his response to be quite a coup. Both his cards here come in as set needs, and they are both really great photos of him in action. He was also kind enough to inscribe Best Wishes and All My Best on his two cards.

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Ritcher, Jim

CARDS: Pro Set 1992, Topps Stadium Club 1992, Fleer 1990, Fleer Ultra 1993
ACQUIRED: Akron Acquisition, 2013, TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 1/7 RECEIVED: 1/30 (23 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Jim Ritcher played college ball at NC State where he blocked up front at guard from 1976-’79.
  • First round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1980.
  • Bills liked his versatility and utilized Ritcher at Guard and Center.
  • Played for the high powered K-Gun offense through all their Super Bowl appearances.
  • Played final two seasons in 1994 and ’95 with the Atlanta Falcons.
  • Appeared in 218 games, starting 167,
  • Recently retired from being a commercial airline pilot.

ACCOLADES:

  • Outland Trophy 1979
  • Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame
  • NC State Wolfpack Jersey Retired (51)
  • Pro Bowl 1991-’92
  • All Pro 1991
  • College Football Hall of Fame

NOTES:

Ritcher was a solid lineman for the Bills who will probably not get the due he’s deserved in being considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.