CARDS: Skybox 1992, Pro Set 1990, Fleer 1992, Gameday 1992, Pacific 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: 5/30/23 RECEIVED: 8/23/23 (85 days) FAILURE: TTM 2018, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Michael Young played WR for UCLA from 1983-’84.
He caught 48 passes for 737 yards and 7 TDs with the Bruins.
A 6th round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1985.
Got caught in a numbers game as his playing time waned with the unretirement of Ron Brown.
Played for the Rams through ’88 catching 35 passes for 421 yards and 4 TDs.
Joined the Broncos in ’89 via Plan B and immediately paid dividends, spotting the Three Amigos.
From 1989-’91 he set career single season highs in receptions.
Caught a career high 4 TDs in 1990.
In the playoffs that year caught a 53 yard pass and a 70 yard TD against the Browns to help Denver reach Super Bowl XXIV.
Started 13 games in 1991 and caught a career high 44 passes for 629 yards (2 TDs).
Played for the Eagles in 1993 catching 14 passes for 186 yards and 2 TDs.
In 1994 dressed for two contests for the Chiefs.
After retirement, made the transition to the front office, serving for the Denver Broncos, and then the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League and then with the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB).
Skybox 1992, #132Pacific 1992, #86
NOTES:
When I first became a Rams fan, I saw Michael streaking down the field on a few plays. I thought he was going to really be something for them in their already strong WR corps. Then he went off and signed with Denver. I was a bit butt hurt. I knew he’d be clutch when it counted for somebody.
I was miffed that I failed on him back in 2018 considering I lived pretty much right around the corner from him at one point, however I reloaded and gave him another shot a few years later. After pointing out that I was confused because sometimes color men and Wikipedia called him ‘Mike’- he let me know that he indeed goes by Michael. He sent me an NFL Alumni sticker, 2 extra autographs, a nice note, and also his Dodgers business card in his return correspondence. Worth the wait.
Brian Westbrook played RB at Villanova from 1997-01.
In 46 college games, he carried the ball for 4,298 yards, with 84 TDs, caught 219 passes for 2,582 yards (11.79 avg.) and gained 2,289 yards and four TDs on kick returns.
He holds the all-time NCAA record with 9,512 all-purpose yards.
Selected in the 3rd round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Worked his way into the starting lineup in 2004.
Had back to back 1200+ yard rushing seasons in 2006-’07.
A gifted receiver out of the backfield, caught 50+ passes in 5 straight seasons, with a career high 90 for 771 yards in 2007.
Played with the Eagles through 2009, concluding his career with a final season with the ‘9ers the following season.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 2004, ’07
All-Pro 2007
Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team
College Football Hall of Fame
Villanova University Varsity Club Hall of Fame 2016
Walter Payton Award 2001
Senior Bowl Hall of Fame
NOTES:
I had heard that Brian was a player rep for the league. I had packed cards on occasion and kept hoping he’d appear. Along the way I had lost the two cards I wanted signed the most. Knowing the XFL Championship was coming up and that’d be the best chance I’d have at getting him, I packed these three cards.
When I got inside the stadium I found my seat, and IDed him almost immediately, but I wasn’t 100% sure. He was in a crowd so I Googled him to be sure, and then called out his name. He looked surprised a fan IDed him in the stands and ambled over. He signed my three cards for me and asked me what team I was cheering on. I told him that I thought the Renegades would win. I had a good feeling. The energy was with them and they were surging. Westbrook shook his head and said no way! It’s gotta be the Defenders. They had a solid season and are stacked!
-The Renegades ended up winning 35-26.
Unfortunately after the USFL and XFL merged, Brian’s position was considered redundant.
Mark Higgs played RB from 1984-’87 for the Kentucky Wildcats.
In his senior season he ran for 1,278 yards on 193 carries.
He finished his career at Owensboro with 2,892 rushing yards- good for second all-time on the school’s rushing list.
Originally a 8th round choice of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1988 NFL Draft.
Buried on the depth chart and relegated to special teams his first 3 years in the NFL playing for the Cowboys (’88), Eagles (’89), and Dolphins (’90).
His first TD was a blocked punt he returned 19 yards for a TD against the Patriots in 1990.
He’d finally get his shot starting at RB in 1991, in place of Sammie Smith, running for 146 yards in the season opener.
The following week Higgs ran for 111 yards, marking the first back to back 100 yard performance by a Dolphins RB since ’82.
He finished the season with 231 carries for 905 yards and 4 TDs- the highest season total by a Dolphin since… 1978.
Mark topped those numbers in 1992, running for 915 yards and 7 rushing TDs.
Starting in 8 contests in 1993, Mark ran for 693 yards and 3 TDs primarily in a backup role behind Terry Kirby.
During the 1994 season he’d be cut and sign with the Arizona Cardinals.
After spending the majority of the 1995 season on IR due to a back injury, Mark opted to retire.
ACCOLADES:
University of Kentucky Hall of Fame 2006
NOTES:
Mark missed out on Pro Set 1989, but he sure did make up for it with a bevvy of set needs in Skybox, Gameday, and Action Packed sets. He provided a nice shot in the arm along with the rejuvenation of the Dolphins offensive line to buy Dan Marino a few more injury free years.
I finally got Mark back in 2020, and then realized I didn’t ask him for his autograph on his Skybox card. Time flew by really quickly after that and I lost track of sending out to him again for it. In the meantime the premium set from the year afterwards became more interesting to me, so it made a lot of sense to send both of them out together.
RUSH
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
794
2959
3.7
14
31
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
40
303
7.6
0
21
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
