Over his college career he accumulated 1573 yards passing and 10 TD passes, 2009 yards from scrimmage and 20 TDs on 366 touches.
Selected in the second round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
Caught 22 passes for 339 yards and 2 TDs his rookie year.
Also played on special teams, racking up 348 KR yards, and 26 punt returns for 320 yards and a 60 yard TD.
Although not a factor in the Dolphins passing game the following two seasons either, he was a devastating punt returner, posting a 79 yard TD in ’76, and 11.4 yards per return overall in Miami.
After a 252 yards from scrimmage against the Bills and 3 TDs, San Fransisco’s interest was piqued.
Traded to the 49ers in 1978 along with safety Vern Roberson, and first and fifth round draft picks for RB Delvin Williams.
The 9ers saw Freddie’s potential and gave him plenty of opportunities at WR.
Set the franchise mark for longest TD grab at 92 yards in 1980.
Freddie had a career high 59 catches for 969 yards in 1982.
He’d also do PR duty as well, returning 2 for TDs in 1980.
A key member of SF’s early Super Bowl runs, Freddie played 8 seasons for San Fransisco, posting 310 receptions for 4,873 yards and 43 TDs.
Freddie retired after the 1985 season.
ACCOLADES:
1975 All Rookie Team
NOTES:
I waited this one out for about 3 years, until the market started collapsing. I gambled that since Freddie was considered a lesser star, I would be able to get him at a pretty decent price.
EPITAPH:
Freddie passed away February 13th, 2012 after a 9 month battle from liver and colon cancer. He was just 59.
Long returned in time for the 2015 season, but was released in a cost saving move by the Rams.
He signed a one year contract with the Falcons.
In 2016, Jake briefly flirted with Baltimore, but ended up in Minnesota.
He’d tear his Achilles in week 10 ending his season.
Long retired during the 2017 offseason.
NOTES:
I had been meaning to get back to Jake for a while after getting a freebee back in 2014. I think I’d been kicking the tires on him for 3 to 4 years, so it makes sense he’s the first calendar success of 2023.
These Upper Deck cards- meh- they’re okay, but they were better than the junk that was designed for the ’08 season. The Score ’09 was definitely a set need, while the Topps 2014 was the slow evolution of the product from I think 2011. The design started resembling more of a fender, but eh I’m sorta okay with that. I thought it’d be nice to get one of him in his Rams attire- even if it is St. Louis.
He was a 7th round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1987.
A big hitter with tremendous speed, Gene also handled kick returning duties averaging 21.2 yards per return (71 returns) over his career with the Saints.
Played Strong Safety and was a solid find for NO, posting 3 interceptions his rookie season and 4 in 1988.
Converted to Free Safety in 1990, replacing Dave Waymer in the lineup, posting 5 forced fumbles.
Best season arguably came in 1991 when Gene recorded 5 interceptions for a league leading 198 yards, along with 4 forced fumbles, and 75 tackles.
Signed with the Dolphins in 1994, finishing his career there after 1997.
SKybox 1992, #258Action Packed 1991, #172
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1987
NOTES:
Gene’s son, Geno played DT most notably for the Bengals. It is said that Gene suffers from early onset dementia due to concussions sustained from playing football. A fairly rare signer, I felt very fortunate to get Gene’s autograph.
I felt like Gene should’ve gotten a Pro Bowl nod for his titanic 1991 season, but with a logger jam of great safeties out there, he didn’t get in. He had some great cards over the years and also makes an appearance in Tecmo Super Bowl.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
614
8.0
15
25
348
13.9
0
79
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
