CARDS: Topps Stadium Club 1992, GameDay 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home SENT: 1/2/22 RECEIVED: 1/9/22 (7 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Ethan was the overall #15 pick by the Kansas City Chiefs out of North Carolina in 1985.
He was the first RB off the board.
Had a disastrous rookie campaign, totalling just 331 yards from scrimmage, 4 TDs, and 2 fumbles.
Cut in 1986, saw time on and off the roster of the Raiders through 1989.
Converted to TE in 1990 and quickly maturated at position, posting 404 yards on 33 receptions.
Caught a career high 53 receptions for 650 yards and 5 TDs in 1991.
Played next two years for Raiders, catching 33 and 43 receptions respectively.
Finished out career in 1994 with Redskins, catching 15 passes for 157 yards.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1991
Topps Stadium Club 1992, #274
NOTES:
A not very regular signer, I pounced when I had the opportunity. Unfortunately he only signed 2 of 3 cards, opting out on the Skybox 1992. Still this was one of those rare situations where the Stadium Club card really stood out -so I was happy about that. I collected Stadium Club near the end, not because I wanted to, but because it had the highest production value and pretty high photo quality. I was already onto the ruse that the base set Topps were intentionally low end so that they could charge more for the premium Stadium Club, and this like many sets is partially what led me to not collecting cards for many years after this.
I missed out on getting Ethan during his time with the Raiders when they visited Cowboys training camp back in the day, so I was happy to add him to the collection now on these cards. He was the first calendar to calendar signer of 2022.
The last time I got Warren, he quickly stopped signing again before I could clear out a few more of my set needs and cards I liked- and he appears in all the great sets of the era I collected. I definitely decided to double dipped on this one.
I was pretty disappointed recently to hear that Warren decided to change his tune and is now fully selling the HOUSTON Oilers as part of the Tennessee Titans history. This coincided with the franchise’s late attempt to fully integrate Oilers history into Tennessee, as Houston fans were clamoring again about bringing the derrick and history home. Then the Tacks decided to have a homecoming game where they flew out all the players to Tennessee. Pretty good PR move on their part.
He used to be one of my favorite players, but I saw this as an absolute betrayal. It was odd because he was even quoted as saying that he never played for this fan base or in Tennessee but here he was being inducted into their Ring of Honor.
After I had received my autographs from Tim mangled in the mail back in 2012-ish, I decided to give him another shot in 2022. He still had quite a few cards that I had wanted to get signed, and some great set needs that appeared after the fact.
Although his Action Packed 1992 was not a set need, it’s a beautiful action shot of him playing with his notable reckless abandon, amazingly after his broken leg in Super Bowl XXIII left him with a metal rod down his leg. There’s a lot of great detail in the photo, with even a ‘waterboy’s’ face slightly out of focus- but watching in awe alongside a Bengals player.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
