Tag Archives: harvey martin

NFL

Martin, Harvey ‘Too Mean’ (2) (1950-2001)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL137

Card: Upper Deck Legends 1997
Acquired: 2021, EBay

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

ACCOLADES:

  • Super Bowl XII Co MVP

  • NFL Defensive MVP 1977

  • NFL All 70s Team

  • Pro Bowl 1976-79

  • First Team All Pro 1977

  • Second Team All Pro 1976, 1979, 1982

  • Lone Star Conference Player of the Decade (1970s)

  • Lone Star Conference 75 Anniversary Squad

  • Lone Star Conference Hall of Fame 

  • Texas A&M – Commerce Hall of Fame 

NOTES:

Upper Deck Legends 1997 really was a gem of a set and continued to outdo itself with quality photography. This is an excellent shot of Too Mean. Thankfully he didn’t shorthand the autograph on this one. I patiently waited out the market on this autograph since it was exploding, and was able to snipe this one at a fair price under 10 bucks.

NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Martin, Harvey “Too Mean” (1950-2001)

Card: ProSet 1990, Topps 1977
Acquired: In Person 1991,1993 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp, Autograph Signing

Drafted in the 3rd round of the 1973 draft by the Dallas Cowboys Harvey Martin was a powerful member of the famed ‘Doomsday Defense’ and made 8 sacks out of the gate as a rookie that season. Nicknamed ‘Too Mean’ by his teammates to go along with ‘Too Tall’ Jones, Martin had a 20 sack season in 1977, was NFL defensive MVP, and was co-mvp of SuperBowl XII with defensive tackle Randy White. A member of the All 1970s team, Harvey was an embattled individual who dealt with drug, domestic and financial issues throughout and after his career ended in 1983. He also was named to the Pro Bowl and was first or second team AP 4 times over his career. Upon his retirement he held the team record for career sacks with 114.

I’d get his autograph in 1991 packing former players at training camp. He’d curiously sign his card with only his garbled initials. Josh and I looked at each other so disappointedly thinking that Harvey had just ruined this card with his half-assed signature. Later we’d go to an autograph signing where there was Drew, Preston, Harvey and a few other players that were just charging 5 bucks a signature and we would get his full signature this time.  He’d continue to battle his inner demons post retirement, and occasionally do commentary for wrestling circuits such as the WWF and WCC but sadly in 2001, Harvey passed away from Pancreatic Cancer at the age of 51. At this time Martin is the only player who is a Super Bowl MVP who is deceased and is also of a slim minority who have won the award and not been inducted into the NFL HoF.

G/Gs 158/71     Tac N/a     Sac 114    Fum 6   Int 2   Yds 7     Avg 3.5    Td  0