Tag Archives: los angeles rams

NFL

Hirsch, Elroy ‘Crazylegs’ (1923-2004)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-39

CARDS: Upper Deck Legends 1997, Topps Archives 2001
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2020, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • An all-around all star athlete at football, track and baseball for Wisconsin (1941-42), and Michigan (1943-44)
  • Served in the military from 1945-46.
  • Selected by the NFL Cleveland Rams in the 1945 NFL Draft, but opted not to play for them.
  • Signed with the Chicago Rockets of the AAFL, who were coached by his military service football coach.
  • Played both ways intially, also moonlighting as CB, recording 6 interceptions for 97 yards his rookie season.
  • After 4 ultimately frustrating seasons in the AAFL, finally joined the NFL in 1950, signing with the now Los Angeles Rams, who held his rights and shifted him to End.
  • In 1951 set multiple NFL receiving records at the time, in only a 12 game slate.
  • Incredible season had him lead NFL in 5 receiving categories, catching 66 passes for 1495 yards, (22.7 yards per reception), 17 TDs, a 91 yard long and 124.6 yards per game.
  • Became one of the first multimedia darlings, as he starred in the movie ‘Crazylegs’ in 1953 based on his life.
  • Appeared in two other movies of note, ‘Unchained’ (1955), and ‘Zero Hour’ (1957).
  • Retired in 1957, but not after basically owning all the Rams career receiving marks (at the time).
  • Returned to Rams in 1960 where he served as the franchise’s GM through the 69 season.
  • Then headed back to Wisconsin where he served as Athletic Director through 1987.
  • Passed away of natural causes in 2004.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1951-53
  • All Pro 1951, 1953
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame 1968
  • Wisconsin Hall of Fame 1964
  • Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor 1984
  • NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
  • College Football Hall of Fame 1974
2001 Topps Archives, #29

NOTES:

When the pandemic struck, card prices began going through the roof. This was very true when it came to things like boxes of current product, so I turned my focus towards older cards. Since I was interested mainly in the hits, aka the autographs- I started focusing in on HOFers that I could possibly snipe out of the certified autograph market via EBay. The strategy worked better than I expected, and I was able to fill out quite a few needs at this level at an affordable price.

The first player I went after was Elroy Hirsch. I waited a few weeks and studied the prices and was able to nab this one at under the going rate. I was very happy to add his certified to the collection on his Legends entry. Later I picked up this Topps Archive autograph at a fraction of the cost.

I remember watching the archival footage of him slicing through opposing defenses with ease with his strange gait, and the NFL talking about what a legacy he had across a variety of media. I had always wanted to get Crazylegs certified autograph, but thought that he would be completely out of reach.

Elroy also was ahead of his time in his receiving style, as during that period it was still unheard of for players to catch the ball over their shoulder or in stride running down the field.

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NFL

Barber, Mike

Topps 1981, #99

CARDS: Topps 1981, Topps 1980, Topps 1979
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Work*
SENT: 1/11 RECEIVED: 1/29 (18 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2014, C/o Home
* Donation Enclosed

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Converted from QB to TE while playing at Louisiana Tech.
  • In 1975 caught 25 passes for 577 yards and 6 TDs.
  • Second round pick of the Houston Oilers in 1976.
  • Saw first sustained action in 1977 used primarily as a blocking TE in the Oilers run based offense centered primarily around Earl Campbell.
  • Grew into role as receiver in ’78, catching 32 passes for 513 yards and 3 TDs.
  • Although ’79 was a down year, had best year in ’80 setting marks with 59 receptions for 712 yards and 5 TDs- all career highs.
  • After largely injury plagued 1981, joined Los Angeles Rams in 1982.
  • Had another solid year in ’83, posting 55 receptions for 657 yards and 3 TDs.
  • Played with LA through 1985, splitting time with Rams (5 games) and Broncos (10 games), before retiring.
  • Has been involved with coaching and ministry work since retirement.
Topps 1979, #37
Topss 1980, #272

NOTES:

Second time is a charm, and I was happy to add Mike to my collection of Oilers. Unfortunately I saw on Twitter, that he like many Houston Oilers, has forgotten his HOUSTON Oilers fan roots, and has embraced the Tennessee Titan traitors, appearing in Tennessee for franchise’s ‘homecoming game’.

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NFL, University of Texas

Jones, AJ ‘Jam’

University of Texas Upper Deck 2011, #40

CARD: University of Texas Upper Deck 2011
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Followed in Earl Campbell‘s footsteps playing RB at the University of Texas.
  • Best year came in 1979, rushing for 918 yards on 188 carries, scoring 10 TDs.
  • Ran for a career high 165 yards against Arkansas in 1980.
  • Finished career at UT logging 645 career carries for 2874 yards and 27 TDs.
  • Selected in 8th round of 1982 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
  • Dressed for 29 games for the Rams from 1982-1985.
  • Finally saw some playing time with the Lions in 1985 as a kick returner.

NOTES:

Played alongside a duo of other Jones players. The trio was nicknamed ‘The Ham, Lam and Jam Jones Show’. I had wanted to get him for a while but saw a well priced certified on EBay to knock Jam off my list. Strangely this set is the only one to have any cards of AJ in them. I’m sure he was tickled to finally have one. He’s got a great autograph.

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