Tag Archives: gameday 1992

NFL

Muster, Brad

Cards: Score Supplemental 1989, Action Packed 1990, GameDay 1992, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM 2017, C/o Home
Sent: 10/3/17 Received: 12/27/19 (801 days)

Stanford seems to have all the luck with the fullbacks. Brad Muster played there from 1984 to 1987. Classified as a RB, he had his best season in 1986 rushing 260 times for 1123 yards and 13 TDs. A solid blocker and receiver, Brad had 78 catches for 654 yards and 4 TDs in 1985. In his 4 years at Stanford, Brad posted 3010 yards (703 carries) and 28 TDs rushing. He also caught 198 passes for 1722 yards and 8 TDs.

Brad was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft. Notably Thurman Thomas was the only back in this group inducted into the HoF, however sandwiched on either side of Muster at 22 was recognizable names Lorenzo White, and 24 was Craig ‘Ironhead’ Heyward.

Brad switched to fullback in the pros. His best season came in 1990 when he rushed for 664 yards on 141 carries (6 TDs), and then caught 47 passes for 452 yards- giving Brad a career high 1116 yards from scrimmage. His numbers with the Bears were all the more impressive in the fact that he was neither the feature back and that he paved the way for 3 1,000 yard seasons for Neal Anderson.

Brad desperately wanted to be the feature back in Chicago after the 1992 season, but head coach Dave Wannstedt saw otherwise, so Brad signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints- playing there for two additional seasons. He retired after the 1994 season due to injuries.

Wow. 2017 seems like such a long time ago now. Nearly everything has changed about my life since then. Whether it was good or bad, it is amazing how time flies. -So at 808 days, it feels like these were out so much longer.

I think I liked the Skybox card of Brad the most here. It’s just a solid image all across, and I love that they used the secondary Bears logo instead of the primary ‘C’. Both Score and Fleer used that same shot of Brad, so I had to get one of them autographed, but the Action Packed card really sticks out because Brad’s neck roll pad means he’s ready to do some major hitting.

Brad is also a powerful hitting runningback in the Nintendo game Tecmo Super Bowl.

G/GSRUSHYDSAVGTDLG
95/7052022314.32435
RECYDSAVGTDLG
20219069.4748
NFL

George, Jeff (2)

Cards: Topps 1990, Score 1990, Fleer 1990, Gameday 1992, Skybox 1993-94 Colors
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 3/23 Received: 11/5 (227 days)
See Also: Jeff George

Ah Jeff George- One of the most reliable TTM respondents in the business. I had originally gotten him way back in 2011 on 3 cards- but over the years had stocked up on some absolutely beautifully designed canvases I wanted to see his autograph grace. Usually a very quick signer, I was surprised to wait some 220+ days for his autographs on these cards, however true to his ways, I just had to be patient and they showed up.

Probably my favorite among them is this Skybox 1993-94 card. I only discovered these cards right at the intersection of my dead cat bounce in collecting- and right as the industry really started going off the rails. At the time, something as over produced as this with the duotone background was still novel. Photoshop and current design standards we take for granted today were barely getting off the ground. I only got a few of these from packs at a Hollywood Video, but I’ve kicked the tires a few times about buying a box wholesale now.

Jeff’s 1992 Gameday card is solid. It’s obvious that I was at the bottom of his mailbag- as he dispensed with the formality of personalizing the cards, and his signature looks a bit rushed on these cards. The framing itself is a great example of when Gameday’s design decisions really paid off as this canvas is exciting and it looks as though he is launching off of it.

I did feel guilty asking for 5 but, I reasoned that I had held off sending back to him for 8 years or so- so that made me feel a bit better about breaking my own rule.

Of these three other college uniform cards, I didn’t have the Fleer one, and it was considered rare back in the day. I got a box of Fleer 90 a few months ago, and I had forgotten how simple and elegant these cards were- despite the floating helmet. I remember Josh laughing at the Score 90 card because George wasn’t even throwing in the shot. He was even less generous about the Topps 90 one, but myself I do appreciate it as you rarely see a well composed shot of a QB under center next to his hogs.

In 2019 Jeff was spotted taking his son Jayden- an accomplished pro-style quarterback on recruiting visits around the country. Although his response took a while, Jeff did take the time to read my letter and in response to my suggestion that he consider coaching in the XFL- he wrote on the letter, “Perhaps in the future.”

NFL

Newberry, Tom

Cards: GameDay 1992, Score 1989, ProSet 1990, Fleer 1990
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 3/13 Received: 3/24 (11 days)

Tom Newberry was a 2nd round pick out of little known Wisconsin-La Crosse by the LA Rams in 1986. He developed so quickly in camp that the Rams felt comfortable moving long time offensive lineman Kent Hill to the Oilers as part of the Jim Everett trade. After settling in Tom earned AP honors in both 1988 and 1989. Versatile, durable, and aggressive, Tom was a fixture on the offensive line for the Rams throughout most of his career in LA starting 120 games at guard and 8 at center over 9 seasons. In 1995 Tom signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he played a final season for the team, and appeared in Super Bowl XXX.

Tom lives in Montana and is a big LOS ANGELES Rams fan. His autograph is pretty… pedestrian. I mean, Tom don’t get me wrong if you read this. I appreciate the subtle loop at the top of the T but everything else seems to fall into place with scribble for the last name. I think it says more about Tom’s workmanlike ethic that allowed him to stand out over his more prideful competitors over his well regarded career. I like the ProSet, Score, and GameDay cards a lot. They all show Tom pulling or blocking in every shot. His Fleer leaves much to be imagined, but it is still a well designed canvas.