Cards: ProSet 1991, ProSet 1992 Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home Sent: 11/17 Received: 11/24 (7 days) See Also: Bruce Armstrong
The venerable Bruce Armstrong really nailed down the right/ left tackle positions for New England throughout the late 80s and into the 1990s, so much so that he was nominated for the NFL HoF in 2011, and the Patriot organization retired his number. Armstrong over his storied career played in a franchise high 212 games. Amazingly enough he started as a tight end at Louisville, before switching over to tackle as a Senior- where he allowed zero sacks. Armstrong had it all over his career with the Patriots, combining speed, power, and durability, making him a formidable pass and run blocker.
Merv Corning’s work on the Pro Set Superbowl cards were not enough, so the company had him come back to create the All Pro subset in 1991. He also chipped in some spot work on ProLine as well. While I was never a fan of ProSet 1992’s break in style between the two series that year, they still had some pretty good photos littering the set and this card with the red pants is a really nice throwback issue the Patriots briefly did. A solid signer, the venerable Armstrong boasts a 90% response rate (250+ attempts) through 2015.
Bruce Armstrong is a dominant offensive lineman who still has not received his due for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As the Patriots #1 pick in 1987, Bruce anchored the tackle position for the Patsies for 14 seasons earning 6 Pro Bowl nominations and starting 212 games. He is the Hew England Patriots all-time leader in games started.
Highly durable but considered (6-4, 295) undersized to play tackle, Armstrong made up for it with his speed, balance, and hands. He played right tackle for the first 44 games of his career before moving over to left tackle for the remainder of his time in New England. A career threatening injury ended his 1992 season prematurely, but Bruce surprised even the doctors when he came back from injury the next season. He is one of three players in the history of the league to play in three decades for the same team, playing his entire 14 season career for the Patriots. Since retirement, Armstrong has been inducted into the Patriots’ Hall of Fame, and has opened a salon with his wife.
John Brodie led the PCC in nearly all the passing categories in 1956 while playing QB at Stanford.
He completed 139 of 240 passes for 1633 yards and 12 TDs that season and finished 7th in Heisman voting.
Selected in the 1st round of the 1957 NFL Draft (3rd overall) by the San Fransisco 49ers.
He’d be groomed as the heir apparent to Y.A. Tittle in San Fransisco.
After a rough couple of seasons, he’d finally hit his stride by ’61 when he was firmly established as the team’s starter.
He’d lead the league that year averaging 9.1 yards per attempt.
In 1965, he had one of his finest seasons as a pro, completing 242 of 391 attempts, for 3112 yards and 30 TDs, and leading the league in most passing categories.
Then in ’68 he’d complete 234 of 404 passes for 3020 yards (22 TDs) to lead all passers.
1970 saw another banner year with 24 TD passes on 223 attempts along with 2,941 yards to lead the NFL.
Retiring from football after the 1973 season, Brodie played 17 seasons in all, appearing in 259 games, and starting 201 of them.
Brodie’s love for sports ran deep and he quickly became a force on the PGA golf circuit, and later in life a member of the Champion’s Tour.
He was also a gifted announcer and color man for both sports for many years.
ACCOLADES:
All Pro 1965, ’70
Pro Bowl 1965, ’70
San Fransisco 49ers Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame (’86)
Number 12 Retired- San Fransisco 49ers
NFL Comeback Player of the Year 1965
NFL MVP 1970
African-American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame 2010
Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
NOTES:
Way, way back in 1993, I met John Brodie on the course early in the day at the CGA Youth Golf Tournament with Steve Spurrier and Dick Anderson. He loved the drawing I did of him and he laughed because I didn’t have one of the Ol’ Ball Coach.
John really didn’t sign TTM very much until the last year of his life, and this certified like many others were usually out of reach financially for me. I just got lucky on this one.
Brodie should’ve been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame some time ago IMHO. I feel that his career, spanning 3 decades, and owning all the 49ers passing records at the time of his retirement really should merit a bit more consideration.
One of the many overlooked legendary quarterbacks who came through the 49er organization before Montana and Young, Brodie was a passing machine throughout the 1960s.
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
4491
2469
31548
55
214
224
72.3
EPITAPH:
1/23/26- On Friday January 26th, it was announced that John Brodie had passed away at the age of 90. No cause of death was given.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
Cards: ProSet 1991, ProSet 1992
