Tag Archives: Minnesota Vikings

NFL

Doleman, Chris (1961-2020)

Cards: Action Packed 1991, Pro Set 1990, GameDay 1992.
Acquired: TTM 1992, C/o The Minnesota Vikings

Chris Doleman was the 4th overall choice of the 1985 draft. Originally drafted as an outside linebacker, Doleman was converted to a defensive end in 1987 and formed a dynamic duo with Keith Millard at DT.  The change was immediate as Chris became a force at right end, dominating the sack charts for the next 13 seasons notching at least 7 sacks in each season for the Vikings, Falcons, and 49ers.   He was traded to the Falcons after the 1993 season, and played there 2 years before going to the 49ers. In his final season he returned at the grand old age of 38 to the Vikings and notched 8 sacks before retiring.  Doleman was named All Pro from 1987-1990, 1992 and 1993, lead the league in sacks with 21 in 1989, and made the Pro Bowl 8 times. His sack totals currently rank him 4th overall in league history and he is listed on the NFL All 90s team. Unfairly cast as a ‘pass rush specialist’ Doleman had a streak of seasons with 90+ tackles (1989-1991) in addition to his high sack totals demonstrating his overall ability against both pass and run.

I sent off for Chris’ autograph in 1992, on a whim not expecting to get his autograph for my collection and received back all 3 cards signed.  Most people still don’t respect ‘sackers and tacklers’ but the league over the last few years has made a concerted effort to induct more of them into the HoF. With John Randle’s impending induction scheduled for 2010, the hope is Doleman should be next in the logger jam of defensive sack talent to go in.

In 2011, Chris was honored by the Vikings who selected him to announce their 2nd round pick during the NFL draft.

Games  232       Tac  914        Sac  150.5        Fum  44       Int   8        Yds  121      TD  2

UPDATE 1/30/2020: Chris Doleman passed away overnight at the age of 58. He had been battling brain cancer- and as recently as 2018 had triumphed over having a tumor removed.

AFL, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Stenerud, Jan

Cards: Proset 1991, Topps 1970, Memorabilia.
Acquired: In person, CGA Youth Golf Tournament 1993. TTM, 1993.

Back in 1993 I went to the CGA Youth Golf Tournament in Austin, Tx with one mission in mind: get as many football player autographs as possible. I would not be disappointed. Jan Stenerud was one of the many players that I got on that 3 day bonanza that I made a drawing for. He signed the Topps 1970 and the Pro Set Hall of Fame card I got. (He is probably one of the tannest white people I have ever met.) Later much like Dick Anderson, I received a letter in the mail thanking me for my drawing and encouraging me to continue with art from Jan. He also sent me a personalized piece of memorabilia. It was quite a surprise and very nice of him.

Jan was born in Norway and came to the United States on a ski jumping scholarship for Montana State. When coaches saw his ability to kick the football, he was quickly put on the football team. In 1965 utilizing a soccer style kick, he put a 59 yarder through the uprights in what was a college football record at the time. Stenerud would go on to play for the Chiefs in the AFL as one of the first pure place kickers. His career spanned 3 decades (60s, 70s, and 80s) and 3 teams (Chiefs, Packers, and Vikings). A two time AFL All Star,  4 time Pro Bowler,  7 time All Pro, both in the NFL and Packers and Chiefs HOF, and on the NFL 75th All-Time Team, Stenerud was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1991 as the first ‘pure’ kicker. Jan still retains strong ties with his native country, and has been recently involved with a firm that designs arenas and sports stadiums.

G 263     FG 373     FGA 558   XP 580   XPA  601   Pts   1699

NFL, ufl

Moats, Ryan

Card: Playoff Prestige 2005
Acquired: Texans Blitz 2009
See Also: Ryan Moats (2)

I bleed Houston football colors, whether it is the Oilers or Texans, so when I go to an art school it’s desperate times to find other fellow football fans, little less Texans. Teacher assisting Digital Design at school during the fall of last year, it came as quite a surprise to not only find 2 fans in the class, but one of them was related to a player on the Texans. When he asked me if I knew who his brother was, I immediately rambled off nearly his whole draft card. Over the next few months I pulled the student through the class and in appreciation for what I did, he had his brother send me an autographed ball and some equipment. My friendship with the student would grow, and he and I would watch all the Texans games on TV. His brother in appreciation for being such a big fan got about 60 cards for me signed. He told me it was no big deal, (because all the players harassed each other when I didn’t have their card), and he’d do it again but I’d have to provide him with every player’s card. Later we’d even sit down and watch the playoffs where the player painstakingly answered all my NFL questions.

Ryan Moats was originally drafted by Philadelphia Eagles in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft.  In his 5 years since, Moats has been a reliable RB presence, but has always found himself in a numbers game, playing for the Eagles, Cardinals, Texans and Vikings. In his best pro game to date, (2009) Moats came off the bench against Buffalo and had 126 yards on 26 carries and 3 touchdowns. Moats was signed by the Vikings in 2010 where he was reunited with former coach Brad Childress from Philadelphia in Minnesota. Unfortunately caught in a numbers game he’d be released by the Vikings during final cuts.