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.
Big man-mountain (6’4″, 330), Antone Davis played RT at Tennessee.
He and fellow blocking teammate Charles McRae were considered the best offensive lineman in the 1991 NFL Draft.
A consensus All-American, and runner up for the Outland Trophy, Davis and McRae were selected back to back during the first round of the 1991 NFL Draft.
Needing to address their porous OL, the Eagles traded away two picks to move up and select Antone Davis at #8 overall.
After a holdout, Davis had an extremely bumpy baptism by fire playing for the Eagles his rookie year.
The remainder of the next 4 years were punctuated by penalties and injury.
Following the 1995 season, he was not resigned by the Eagles, and joined the Atlanta Falcons for the 1996 campaign.
Davis saw action primarily as a backup the next two seasons, but was released in early ’98.
He’d then see time briefly on the off-season roster of the Packers in 1999, before retiring.
Action Packed Rookies 1991, #19
NOTES:
Ugh. Poor Antone. I remember him appearing on MNF in 1991. I think it was his first start after an early injury sidelined him for most of the preseason and some of the year. He got absolutely wrekt by the Redskins front 4 on MNF. Holding calls, false starts, constant pressures, and sacks galore. I felt so terrible for Antone. After his career ended, Davis went into the food service industry. He was also a finalist on the show ‘The Biggest Loser’ a few years back. Antone doesn’t sign often so I thought I’d shoot these two set needs out.
Note that his Action Packed Rookies card shows him with #77 and his Gameday has #78. After he signed his rookie contract he changed his jersey number.
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.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
2.0
3
4
81
16.2
2
36
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