Tag Archives: pittsburgh steelers

NFL

Worley, Tim

Pro Set 1989, #511
Action Packed 1990, #230
Fleer 1990, #153

CARDS: Action Packed 1990, Fleer 1990, ProSet 1989
ACQUIRED: 2023, Paid Signing

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Tim Worley played RB from 1985-89 at Georgia.
  • Despite playing only 2 full seasons for the Bulldogs, he finished his college career with 2038 yards on 353 carries (27 TDs).
  • Worley was a first round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers (7th overall) in the 1989 NFL Draft.
  • A ground and pound offense under HC Chuck Noll, Tim Worley was well suited for the system rushing for 770 yards in his rookie season.
  • In 1991, he was placed on IR for the season.
  • Subsequently he failed two mandatory drug tests and was suspended for the entire 1992 season.
  • He’d be traded to Chicago in 1993, and seemed to get back on track somewhat, rushing for 437 yards and 2 TDs during the season.
  • Played in only 5 contests though in 1994, and after being released decided to retire from the league.
  • Founded a motivational speaking, consulting, and marketing company- Worley Global Enterprises.

ACCOLADES:

  • Georgia-Florida HoF 2007
  • Roberson County HoF 2011
  • Georgia SEC Legend 2013

NOTES:

Tim Worley’s career and problems parallel those of fellow RB and ’89 draftee Sammie Smith. Worley much like Sammie, had a fumbling problem, and had a career that fizzled due to a drug issue- as it was said that cocaine was Worley’s drug of choice.

Post football continued to spiral, and eventually had a run in with the law, resulting in him being tasered by police. He was able to restart his life however, and now is a motivational speaker.

Unable to secure Tim TTM, I went ahead and did a paid signing to get him on these 3 set needs. Tim makes an appearance in the classic Tecmo Super Bowl at RB for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Shell, Donnie

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-24

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Donnie Shell played DB at South Carolina State.
  • He’d sign as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974.
  • A key member of the secondary during the heyday of the Steel Curtain, Shell became a fulltime starter in 1977.
  • Had 6 seasons in a row of 5 or more interceptions from 1979-’84.
  • Widely regarded as one of the greatest FS during the Dead Ball Era.
  • Played 14 seasons for the the Steelers retiring after the 1987 season and 201 games.
  • At the time of his retirement, Donnie was the all-time leader at FS in interceptions, with 51.
  • Jumped into the front office after retirement working with the Carolina Panthers as the Director of Pro Player Personnel from 1994-’09.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Football Hall of Fame 2020
  • PFRA 2013 Class of Very Good
  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team
  • Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor
  • Pro Bowl 1978-’82
  • All Pro 1979, 1980, 1982

NOTES:

Donnie was long overdue for PFHOF recognition which only underscores how disrespected the position is held by voters.

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NFL

Williams, John L. (2)

Gameday 1992, #114
Action Packed 1990, #260
Action Packed 1991, #260
Action Packed 1992, #256

CARDS: Gameday 1992, Action Packed 1990, Action Packed 1991, Action Packed 1992
ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home
SENT: 1/11/23 RECEIVED: 3/22/24 (436 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Okay! I knew that John L Williams was a slow signer so I just put these out there and wasn’t completely surprised to see them back in a year. A few more of my friends had gotten theirs recently- even waiting so long as 3-4 years to get theirs, so mine seemed like only a smallish accomplishment.

So this is a great case study in design watching the evolution of the Action Packed set from 1990 to 1992. It’s interesting how it goes from a framed border, to a floating 3/4 border, to a border just on one side. The photos are great, but really showcased here is how by ’92, the photos were consistently about as close as you see here in this Action shot of John L. In a nice touch of subtleness, the red stripe indicates the AFC conference, while the blue indicates the NFC.