Michael Carter was a powerful NT and shot put champion who played at SMU from 1980-83.
Selected in the 5th round of the 1984 NFL Draft by the San Fransisco 49ers.
1988 probably stands as his best season, when he recorded 71 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 9 pass deflections, and his only career interception.
Considered the premier NT of the era, frequently faced double teams from the G and C and still managed to be around the action.
Competed at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in shot put.
Retired after the 1992 season, playing his whole career in San Fransisco.
Skybox 1992, #221
ACCOLADES:
1984 Olympic Silver Medal (shot put)
First player to win an Olympic medal and a Super Bowl ring in the same year.
Texas Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame
All Pro 1986-’88
Second Team All Pro 1985
Pro Bowl 1985, ’87, ’88
Action Packed All-Madden Team 1990, #42Fleer 1990, #3
NOTES:
Michael Carter was a monster in the original Tecmo Bowl, but the team was so loaded I primarily played Lott. Michael has some great cards but I’d rarely seen him sign, so I took a shot in the dark at this one. I was really happy he took the time to sign all 4 of these cards for me. 3 of them were set needs. The All-Madden team card slipped in over the Pro Set 1989 card, but this Skybox entry is pretty outstanding. Michael’s daughter is also a champion shot putter following in his footsteps. She won a gold medal in the Rio Olympics.
A deep cut find out of East Tennessee State, DB Thane Gash was selected in the 7th round of the ’88 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
After not really seeing the field in his rookie year, Thane slotted in at FS where he quickly developed a reputation as a headhunter with a nose for the endzone.
In 1989, he picked up 3 interceptions (returning 2 for TDs) and led the team in tackles with 134.
Only had 1 pick in 1990, but duplicated his tackle feat, leading the team with another 134 tackles.
During the offseason in 1991, Gash herniated a disc in his neck, and was placed on IR for the entire season.
In 1992, joined the 49ers to replace Ronnie Lott at FS -who had left the previous season for the Raiders.
Gash started 3 games that year, and then retired after the 1993 season
Pacific 1991, #77Action Packed 1990, #36
NOTES:
I had been sitting on Thane’s cards for a while. He has a stack of really good cards combined with set needs that I had wanted. Thankfully he’s a voracious signer (when he does) and he signed all 5 cards I sent to him.
After picking up a few cards of Johnny via the Canton Acquisition way back in 2012, I went ahead and decided to close him out on pretty much the rest of the cards I had of him. Upper Deck for once, though came through with a nice shot of Johnny splashing through a wet field. The color is also outstanding on this shot. -A true winner.
Both his Score and Fleer cards are also outstanding shots of a predator linebacker in motion. The Fleer however sorta cheated, using an older shot of Johnny (also seen in his Panini Stickers entry from 1989). Johnny has a really nice stylized autograph. I love how he loops the ‘M’ of his last name under the ‘eads’. Solid.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
