John Hadl was a local hero to Lawrenceville, Kansas, and he stayed close to home playing offense and defense for the Kansas Jayhawks from 1959-61.
He played multiple positions for the Jayhawks: HB, QB, P, and DB.
He set multiple records at the school and was elected as an NCAA All-American at both HB (’60) and QB (’61).
Hadl was selected by both the Lions of the NFL and the Chargers of the rival AFL in 1962.
John opted to play for the Chargers, and although he contributed to the franchise’s AFL Championship run, he was relegated primarily to splitting time or backing up Tobin Rote.
Took over the reins of the starting QB job in 1965 and led the AFL in passing yards (2798) and yards per attempt (8.0) while posting a 9-2 record.
In 1968, he led the league in a host of categories: Attempts (44), completions (208), yards (3473), TDs (27) and unfortunately interceptions- 32.
1971 saw another solid output for Hadl as he led the league in attempts (431), completions (233), yards (3075), and TDs (21).
After his swan song in 1972 when John led the NFL in interceptions (26) a second time, he’d be traded to the Rams in 1973.
Hadl had an outstanding season with the Rams leading the team to a 12-2 record as a starter, leading the team to the playoffs.
He threw 22 TDs on just 135 attempts, and his receivers went for 14.9 yards after the completion.
After 5 contests in 1974, Hadl was traded again- this time to the Packers.
The trade itself is considered one of the worst in NFL history, as the Pack gave up 5 picks to get him, including first and second round picks for the next two seasons.
Hadl struggled with the Packers mightily posting a 7-12 record over the next season and a half, throwing 15 TDs to 35 interceptions, while be sacked mercilessly 44 times.
In 1976 John joined the Houston Oilers, where he saw mop up duty behind starting QB Dan Pastorini.
Retiring after the 1977 season, John wanted to stay close to the sport.
He worked at his Alma Mater, Kansas from 1978-81 as a QB coach and as offensive coordinator, but was run out of town basically by the NCAA as they felt he was giving ‘improper benefits’ to potential recruits.
John then moved to the Rams in ’82 as an offensive assistant, before tutoring future NFL HOF QB John Elway in 1983 with the Broncos.
At his final stop he coached for the Express from 1984-85, posting a 13-23 record.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
Pro Bowl 1972-73
All-Pro 1973
AFL All-Star 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969
Chargers Hall of Fame
NOTES:
I don’t know why it took me so long to get around to writing John’s bio, but it could’ve been for two reasons. First, John has a laundry list of accomplishments and accolades. One could even argue that he’s HOF worthy based on his AFL contributions. Second, it was rumored that in his final years, John was really struggling, and that perhaps his autograph was ghost signed. I did kick in 20 bucks to grease the wheels, so the hope is he actually signed these, but they look really.. fluid and not like a struggling octogenarian signed it.
John quickly became a set need based on a variety of factors that did come into play, but most importantly I loved his Topps and Upper Deck entries.
EPITAPH:
On November 30, 2022, John Hadl passed away at the age of 82. No cause of death was given.
CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Action Packed 1990, Action Packed Rookies & Stars 1990 ACQUIRED: 2022, Private Signing
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Andre Rison was a dominant receiver who played at Michigan State.
He established career record marks for receptions (146), and yards (2992).
Also was a great basketball and track man for the Spartans.
Selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft.
Was second among all rookie receivers in 1989 with 820 yards, and was the first Colts receiver in almost 10 years to catch over 50 passes in their rookie season (52).
He and Bill Brooks were an effective 1-2 punch, pairing for the most 100 yard games since ’68.
Well in 1990, the Colts were desperate for a QB, so they packaged up Andre, T Chris Hinton, and draft picks to get the #1 pick from the Falcons to select Jeff George.
While the Colts were imploding over the next few years, Rison was reaching new heights in the Falcons Red Gun offense.
He also adopted a bad boy persona and became known as ‘Bad Moon’ Rison.
He had a career high 93 receptions in ’92, 1,242 yards , and a league leading 15 TDs in 1994.
Andre started 73 games over his time in Atlanta, catching 423 passes for 5633 yards and 56 TDs over 5 seasons.
In 1995, Andre signed with the Browns playing one seasons with the team.
After a disappointing season in Cleveland, where he feuded with fans, Rison played in 1996 for the Jags, and then was picked up by the Pack who needed help at receiver.
He’d earn a Super Bowl ring that season catching passes from Brett Favre.
Rison cashed in after the season, proving that perhaps he just needed a change of scenery from his hiccup two previous seasons ago in Cleveland.
Andre had a minor resurgence after he signed with the Chiefs in 1997.
He’d catch 72 passes for 1092 yards and 7 TDs, earning the nickname Spider-man.
Rison at this point of his career was attempting to rehabilitate his image as a diva, and Spider-man seemed like a positive role model.
After a total of 3 seasons in KC, Rison played one final year in the NFL with the Raiders in Oakland.
Despite not starting that year, he put up 41 catches for 606 yards and 6 TDs.
Rison took some time away from the sport, but returned in 2004 to play for the Toronto Argonauts.
He played just long enough to help the team win the Grey Cup, and retired after the 2005 campaign.
After his playing days ended, Andre has gone into coaching.
Pro Set 1989, #497Action Packed 1990, #107
ACCOLADES:
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
All-Rookie Team 1989
AP 1990
2nd Team AP 1991-’93
Pro Bowl 1990-’93, 1997
NOTES:
Boasting an extremely low signing percentage and an ancient last return date there was no way I was going to get Andre through the mail. I knew the best chance I’d have is to probably go through a private signing. I follow a couple of private signers and Facebook pages that promote them, and finally after missing out on one already- I was able to get him affordably on these three cards. The problem is with Andre, as he was an early darling of every set that came onto the scene in those early days of the big card boom, so I literally have probably five or six more set needs. Andre was an excellent receiver on the Atlanta Falcons in Tecmo Super Bowl and Super Tecmo Bowl.
Andre has a pretty solid resume, but maybe due to his bad image early in his career that caused him to be perceived as a diva, and then just as a bad guy in general, he’s gotten little traction from voters for the HoF, even though he’s gone to great lengths to dispel his reputation. Despite possessing a 10k resume, and impressive TD numbers, Rison is now caught in the logger jam at WR building from more modern candidates that have inflated numbers due to a game geared more towards the passing game. Andre is also one of a unique club of players who has won both a Grey Cup and a Super Bowl.
Had a marvelous journey as a quarterback playing through 18 seasons for 3 leagues and 8 teams from 1952-69.
Played for Kentucky from 1949-51.
In an era not renown for passing, threw for 1627 yards (114/203) and 23 TDs to 12 INT in 1950.
4th pick of the 1952 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Joined CFL Ottawa Rough Riders in 1954, playing there through 55, and also again in 59.
Returned to NFL for a one year stint with the Browns in 56.
Again, played for Packers in 57 and 58.
After one year stint with the CFL again in 59, played for the Oakland Raiders in 1960.
After middling success with Oakland, was traded as part of a blockbuster deal to the Boston Patriots.
Played for the Patriots from 1961-67.
At time of departure from Boston, owned all the franchise’s passing records and many AFL ones as well.
Retired after winning Super Bowl III as Joe Namath‘s backup in Super Bowl III.
Had extensive coaching career.
Passed away in 2017 at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer.
NOTES:
In an age of more sexy names, I really hadn’t considered the legacy of Babe, compared to guys like Tom Brady (of course), or even Drew Bledsoe or Steve Grogan for that matter. -That being said Babe paved the way for those guys.
AFL/NFL
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
3330
1552
22681
46.6
178
220
59.6
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
383
1522
4.0
23
33
CFL
*Stats not available pre-1959
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
52
23
373
44.2
4
4
N/a
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
4
20
5.0
0
15
P
YDS
AVG
LG
65
2497
38.4
58
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