Tag Archives: pittsburgh steelers

AAF, NFL, Super Bowl MVP

Ward, Hines (2)

Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl MVP, #45 (HACK)
Topps AAF 2019, #84

CARDS: Atomic 2001, Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl MVP Hack, Topps AAF 2019
ACQUIRED: IP, 2022
FAILURE: TTM 2016, 2019, 2021 C/o Work

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

Well as you can see here, I racked up quite a few misses TTM on Hines. After his time in the AAF, I had wanted to get him on a few more cards- especially his Topps AAF card itself, but no such luck. When the XFL reemerged in 2022 (for its 3rd iteration) the league was quick to announce that Hines was going to be a coach in the league.

He’d become quite the hot coaching commodity clutching at coaching pearls with the Jets as an offensive assistant, and then to the college ranks with Florida Atlantic as a WRs coach. The Houston Texans even had Ward in for a head coaching interview in 2021. He’d later be one of the big splash names the XFL 2023 announced. When he was announced for the San Antonio franchise, I was very excited.

Atomic 2001, #116

I finally got an invite for the XFL Town House about a week before the event back in late October. I went ahead and invited a local collector and new friend of mine, Brandon, to the event. He got there a bit earlier than me, as I went to the wrong side of town, but eventually I got there about 15 minutes before it began. I was wearing my Greg Ward Commanders jersey.

We had a really good time. Hines once I told him that I had met him previously on the front row of the Commanders inaugural game, had a good chuckle with me. He signed 3 cards for me and posed for a photo. I got lots of love from not only the other fans there that recognized my jersey, but also from news and sports personalities that wanted to come over and talk to me about the Commanders. It was great and I felt like was back in my element.

This Pro Set Super Bowl MVP Hack I did looks great! I am so glad that he was kind enough to autograph it for me. I am looking forward to getting more of this set printed and signed.

AFL, Arena, CFL, NFL, usfl

Parilli, Babe (1930-2017)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-152

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Had a marvelous journey as a quarterback playing through 18 seasons for 3 leagues and 8 teams from 1952-69.
  • Played for Kentucky from 1949-51.
  • In an era not renown for passing, threw for 1627 yards (114/203) and 23 TDs to 12 INT in 1950.
  • 4th pick of the 1952 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.
  • Joined CFL Ottawa Rough Riders in 1954, playing there through 55, and also again in 59.
  • Returned to NFL for a one year stint with the Browns in 56.
  • Again, played for Packers in 57 and 58.
  • After one year stint with the CFL again in 59, played for the Oakland Raiders in 1960.
  • After middling success with Oakland, was traded as part of a blockbuster deal to the Boston Patriots.
  • Played for the Patriots from 1961-67.
  • At time of departure from Boston, owned all the franchise’s passing records and many AFL ones as well.
  • Retired after winning Super Bowl III as Joe Namath‘s backup in Super Bowl III.
  • Had extensive coaching career.
  • Passed away in 2017 at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer.

NOTES:

In an age of more sexy names, I really hadn’t considered the legacy of Babe, compared to guys like Tom Brady (of course), or even Drew Bledsoe or Steve Grogan for that matter. -That being said Babe paved the way for those guys.

AFL/NFL

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
333015522268146.617822059.6
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
38315224.02333

CFL

*Stats not available pre-1959

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
522337344.244N/a
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
4205.0015
PYDSAVGLG
65249738.458
NFL, XFL

Jones, Landry

Panini Rookies & Stars 2013, #155

CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, Topps XFL 2020 Rising Stars, Topps XFL 2020 Certified, Panini Rookies & Stars 2013
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 4/16 RECEIVED: 7/28 (103 days)
FAILURE: 2020, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • 4 year starter at Oklahoma from 2009-12 who was heir to Sam Bradford at quarterback.
  • Completed 405 of 617 passes for 4718 yards and 38 TDs in Sophomore campaign.
  • Finished college career with 123 passing TDs, 63.6 completion percentage, and 16646 yards passing.
  • 4th round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers who intended to groom Jones to become long term backup or future starter to replace Ben Rothlisberger.
  • Didn’t see any significant action until the 2015 season as quarterback injuries wracked the Steelers.
  • In first game led Pittsburgh to comeback victory over Cardinals throwing for 165 yards and two TDs.
  • Saw sporadic playing time over the next 2 seasons putting together some solid numbers.
  • Cut in early September of 2018 after losing out on a quarterback competition against Mason Rudolph,
  • Joined the Jaguars later that year as an injury replacement for Blake Bortles.
  • After a short stint with the Raiders in early 2019, was courted by the AAF, and the San Antonio Commanders– but declined their offer.
  • Later was reunited with his former college coach Bob Stoops who signed him to play for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL.
Topps XFL 2020, Stars of the XFL, #1

NOTES:

After I saw a few successes from Landry online through Facebook groups, with users who refused to disclose his address- I figured out the address myself and sent it out. I broke a cardinal rule and shared the address with a few friends before I got mine back. Thus they got theirs back signed and I got back… nothing. In the meantime, I got his certified off of Ebay, and waited about a year to resend to which I was able to get him on the three non-certified cards above.

Landry is named after former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. In a game that I was attending in Dallas, Houston Roughnecks defensive back Charles James (after the Roughnecks intercepted Landry Jones for the 3rd time in the first half) was caught on a live mic saying, “Get him the f*ck out of here!”

Topps XFL 2020, #114
Topps XFL 2020, #AU-LJ