Tag Archives: players who should be in the HoF

NFL

Russell, Andy

Card: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 7/3 Received: 7/22 (19 days)

Andy Russell played 14 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers at linebacker from 1963-1976. A 7 time Pro Bowler, he was a member of the Steelers first two Super Bowl Championships.

Originally a home grown product out of Missouri, Andy chose to play for the Tigers, There he was known more for his rushing prowess than his ability to tackle players in the backfield. He ran for 662 yards on 172 carries and scored 3 TDs over three years from 1960-1962. At the time Russell was a two way player and also played linebacker, and most notably recording an interception for a TD in a 10-0 victory over the Sooners in ’61.

Andy was drafted by the Steelers to play linebacker in 1963. He’d garner all-rookie honors for his first season. He’d join the military in 1964 and serve through 1965 before returning to the team and playing through some truly terrible years with the franchise. Russell though persevered, and eventually head coach Chuck Noll built a nucleus of players around Andy, which eventually became known as ‘The Steel Curtain’. He’d be a stalwart bulwark for the Steelers, playing for the team the next 11 seasons.

Andy was unusually durable and reliable for a player of that era and never missed a game in 168 regular season contests. Andy is also the only player in NFL history to be named to 6 consecutive Pro Bowls (1970-1975). He earned the Whizzer White Award in 1973, was a team captain for 10 consecutive seasons, was named team MVP 3 times, won two Super Bowls, and has earned numerous awards and nominations from Missouri and is a member of the Steelers All-Time Team.

G/GSTACSACFUM
168/162N/aN/a10
INTYDSAVGTDLG
1823813.2145
AAF, NFL

Allen, Eric

Card: Action Packed 1990
Acquired: In Person 2019, San Antonio Commanders v San Diego Fleet

Eric played for Arizona State from 1984 to 1987, posting 16 career interceptions and 2 TDs. He had a dominant Senior year in ’87, putting up 8 interceptions for 185 yards and 2 TDs. Selected by Buddy Ryan’s Eagles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Draft, Eric was immediately slotted in at right cornerback, where he payed dividends with 65 tackles and 5 interceptions his rookie year. He’d earn his only First Team AP nomination in 1989 when he recorded 8 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 48 tackles. Arguably Allen had his best year in 1993, when he had 6 interceptions for 201 yards and count em, 4 TDs- including a 94 yard long. He also had 3 forced fumbles 2 sacks and 64 tackles.

Eric joined the New Orleans Saints in 1995. He played there for three seasons starting 48 games, and recording 160 tackles, and 5 interceptions. In 1998, Allen signed with the Oakland Raiders, where he experienced a renaissance of sorts, first with an injury shortened 10 game campaign, but not before he added 5 more interceptions to his resume. In 2000, Eric had another fine season for the books, with 6 picks for 145 yards and 3 TDs, a sack, 14 pass deflections, and 68 tackles. He’d retire after the 2001 season and go into the broadcast booth at ESPN as an analyst, and then later for college football Pac 12 games.

Despite the NFL making adjustments to defensive passing rules over the years, Eric Allen continued to shadow his opponent’s #1 receiver. He is the only player in the history of the league to return 3 or more interceptions for a TD in a season- twice, and the 6 time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame, and named to the Eagles 75th Anniversary squad.

I had found out that Eric was wanting to cut his teeth coaching in the AAF and he hooked up to work with Mike Martz’s San Diego Fleet as a defensive backs coach. Before the second half of the game began, he tried sneaking by me in the end zone, so I called him out. In my trademark style I said to Eric, “Hey Eric, just because you shaved your mustache doesn’t mean you can go incognito.” He smiled wryly and did a slight detour and came back to me. We talked briefly about the Fogbowl, and reminisced about those crazy times. For a DB of Eric’s HoF quality, I was surprised that more people didn’t take part or ask for his autograph, but still I was happy to add him on this card.

Great autograph on a good looking card. It’s too bad that the artifact noise of the photo transferred to the card during production.

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217/2147893.06
INTYDSAVGTDLG
5482615.3894T
CFL, NFL, ufl

Hairston, Carl ‘Big Daddy’

Cards: ProSet 1991 Legends, Score Supplemental 1989
Acquired: TTM 2018, C/o Home
Sent: 10/20   Received: 10/27   (7 days)

During the Jurassic Period of football, there were some absolute beasts of defenders that took the league by storm in the 70s. One of them was Carl Hairston, a little known defensive lineman prospect out of UMES or (University of Maryland Eastern Shore). He played on some terrible teams during college, which allowed him to really hone his game. Hairston was named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team 3 times. In his final year with the team, he posted 147 tackles and 15 sacks, good enough to get noticed by the Philadelphia Eagles, who selected Carl in the 7th round of the 1976 draft. 

He’d make the squad and in fact lead the NFL in sacks in 1979 (unofficially) with 15. Then in 1980, he’d help champion the defense that got the Eagles to Super Bowl XV.  Injuries began to slow Hairston down in 1983, and soon thereafter he’d be traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he’d be a mainstay on the line until 1989. He’d finish his career in Phoenix the following season. 

Carl has an extensive coaching resume at the Pro level, and has seen stops in the NFL (Phoenix, KC, St Louis, and Green Bay), UFL (Florida, Omaha), and CFL (British Columbia). He earned a Super Bowl ring as the defensive line coach for the St. Louis Rams (Super Bowl XXXIV). 

Carl is another one of these players who should probably be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A dominant lineman during his time, unofficially he has 1,141 tackles and 94 sacks to his name in 184 starts. 

Both of these are really nice cards of Carl. I almost feel like they are nods to him out of respect- like these card companies knew he was long in the tooth but they still wanted to pay him respects with their brand of card. The ProSet Legends 1991 card is an absolute gem. Merv Corning can make a player standing on the sideline look exciting, and this highly detailed image is no different with its nicks and bumps. It’s a fine card with excellent minimal design- which screams classy. The Score Supplemental 1989 had always been floating around my doubles box, so I had been kicking around the idea of getting it autographed for sometime. It’s unique because it’s obviously a special teams shot, but he’s just sort of popping up in a sea of helmets.

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224/184114194.0N/A14040.0040