Thanks to my autograph colleague Edgar over at myautographsignings.com for the tip on this one -as I had been really baffled as to the lack of autograph signings locally by players. I found out that Greg was appearing at the local “Raider Image” in Montebello Mall a few weeks back and I had hoped to have caught him at Ontario instead, but was busy that week with family. On a hot August day we trekked to the mall to see him. Cards and photos with Greg were reasonably priced at 5.00 a piece, so I dropped a 20 and grabbed 3 cards and a photo. I talked to Greg for a bit where he told me that the blocker he had the most trouble with was Lomas Brown (Lions) who with his long wingspan kept him regularly at bay. He comically remarked about that it seemed that many of the best blocking offensive linemen all had the last name Brown.
After talking at lengths with him I offered my remaining cards for him to keep. He glowed when he looked at the cards. He remembered the Upper Deck 1991 Team MVP card specifically- because of what he had to do to get to Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh who he posthumously suplexed. Townsend also mentioned how he specifically loved the Action Packed cards because of the embossed profile and edges. I had this photo below in mind to take with Greg. Always great with fans, he was more than happy to accommodate me with a manly arm clasp which really got the crowd going.
Cards: Stadium Club 1992, ProSet 1990, Pacific 1992
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o The Cleveland Browns
Sent: 1/13 Received: 2/12 ( 30 days)
See Also: Kevin Mack (2)
Kevin Mack was one of the most devastating runningbacks in Tecmo Bowl. He was what we called a ‘popcorn back’ and he was a one man wrecking machine that you dared not tackle alone. If you had the fortune of steering the ‘Mack Attack’ you just had to hit that A button non-stop to pay dirt. As an Oilers fan, Kevin was the last guy I wanted to see. Originally a fullback for the Los Angeles Express of the USFL, Mack would rush for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns in 18 games. The Browns saw something in the former Syracuse back and took him in the 1st round of the supplemental draft for USFL players in 1985. His rookie season was his best, as the team leaned on ‘Mack Truck’ for 1100 yards where he’d play in the Pro Bowl after the season.
In 1986 he had a career high 10 touchdowns and in 1987 he averaged a bit over 60 yards rushing a game. A sturdy short yardage presence, Kevin crushed defensive linemen and linebackers with well-proportioned 6″, 212 pound frame. Mack would always kill either the Oiler’s playoff hopes or their divisional championship dreams- including a backbreaking rushing touchdown in the waning weeks of 1989. These cards really represent Mack’s downhill running style well and the Stadium Club and ProSet card of him are among my favorites. I sent off for his autograph from the Browns organization and he responded quickly to my request in roughly a month. He currently works in the team’s front office.
Cards: Pacific 1992, Topps Stadium Club 1992, Score 1990, Score 1991, Pro Set 1993 PB, Fleer 1990
Acquired: In person, CGA Youth Golf Tournament 1993
Minnesota Golden Gopher kicker Chip Lohmiller would be taken in the second round of the 1988 draft. The Redskins were in desperate shape to locate a kicker and hadn’t had consistency at the position since Matt Moseley left. In fact the previous season 4 different players kicked extra points for the team during the 1987 season. With Lohmiller the team immediately fixed their kicking problem, and in fact made a massive upgrade at the position. The Redskins were one of those teams that weren’t embarrassed to take field goals and in the competitive and defensive NFC East, it certainly did help to have an accurate kicker with a booming leg. From 1989 -1992 Lohmiller would lead the league in field goal attempts making at least 40 attempts each season. He’d also lead the league in 1991 and 1992 hitting 31 and 30 field goals respectively. In fact in 1991 his 143 points were more than the entire Indianapolis Colts squad put up combined. Lohmiller could have probably had a long career with the Redskins and it is assumed that the team which was hemorrhaging in the new age of the salary cap made the agonizing decision to let him go. 1995 would see a short season for the New Orleans Saints- and his 1996, which would be his final, Lohmiller would finish out his career with the St. Louis Rams. Since football Lohmiller has taken up coaching and is currently a highly regarded coach at the high school level. While at the CGA Youth Golf Tournament in 1993 he’d sign all the cards I provided for him. He apparently is a great golfer with at one point a -3 handicap.
After talking at lengths with him I offered my remaining cards for him to keep. He glowed when he looked at the cards. He remembered the Upper Deck 1991 Team MVP card specifically- because of what he had to do to get to Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh who he posthumously suplexed. Townsend also mentioned how he specifically loved the Action Packed cards because of the embossed profile and edges. I had this photo below in mind to take with Greg. Always great with fans, he was more than happy to accommodate me with a manly arm clasp which really got the crowd going.
