Tag Archives: San Diego Chargers

AFL, College Football HoF, NFL, usfl

Hadl, John (1940-2022)

Topps 1970, #73
Upper Deck Legends 1997, #112

CARDS: Topps 1970, Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2019, C/o Home
SENT: 2/9 RECEIVED: 2/25 (16 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • John Hadl was a local hero to Lawrenceville, Kansas, and he stayed close to home playing offense and defense for the Kansas Jayhawks from 1959-61.
  • He played multiple positions for the Jayhawks: HB, QB, P, and DB.
  • He set multiple records at the school and was elected as an NCAA All-American at both HB (’60) and QB (’61).
  • Hadl was selected by both the Lions of the NFL and the Chargers of the rival AFL in 1962.
  • John opted to play for the Chargers, and although he contributed to the franchise’s AFL Championship run, he was relegated primarily to splitting time or backing up Tobin Rote.
  • Took over the reins of the starting QB job in 1965 and led the AFL in passing yards (2798) and yards per attempt (8.0) while posting a 9-2 record.
  • In 1968, he led the league in a host of categories: Attempts (44), completions (208), yards (3473), TDs (27) and unfortunately interceptions- 32.
  • 1971 saw another solid output for Hadl as he led the league in attempts (431), completions (233), yards (3075), and TDs (21).
  • After his swan song in 1972 when John led the NFL in interceptions (26) a second time, he’d be traded to the Rams in 1973.
  • Hadl had an outstanding season with the Rams leading the team to a 12-2 record as a starter, leading the team to the playoffs.
  • He threw 22 TDs on just 135 attempts, and his receivers went for 14.9 yards after the completion.
  • After 5 contests in 1974, Hadl was traded again- this time to the Packers.
  • The trade itself is considered one of the worst in NFL history, as the Pack gave up 5 picks to get him, including first and second round picks for the next two seasons.
  • Hadl struggled with the Packers mightily posting a 7-12 record over the next season and a half, throwing 15 TDs to 35 interceptions, while be sacked mercilessly 44 times.
  • In 1976 John joined the Houston Oilers, where he saw mop up duty behind starting QB Dan Pastorini.
  • Retiring after the 1977 season, John wanted to stay close to the sport.
  • He worked at his Alma Mater, Kansas from 1978-81 as a QB coach and as offensive coordinator, but was run out of town basically by the NCAA as they felt he was giving ‘improper benefits’ to potential recruits.
  • John then moved to the Rams in ’82 as an offensive assistant, before tutoring future NFL HOF QB John Elway in 1983 with the Broncos.
  • At his final stop he coached for the Express from 1984-85, posting a 13-23 record.

ACCOLADES:

  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • Pro Bowl 1972-73
  • All-Pro 1973
  • AFL All-Star 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969
  • Chargers Hall of Fame

NOTES:

I don’t know why it took me so long to get around to writing John’s bio, but it could’ve been for two reasons. First, John has a laundry list of accomplishments and accolades. One could even argue that he’s HOF worthy based on his AFL contributions. Second, it was rumored that in his final years, John was really struggling, and that perhaps his autograph was ghost signed. I did kick in 20 bucks to grease the wheels, so the hope is he actually signed these, but they look really.. fluid and not like a struggling octogenarian signed it.

John quickly became a set need based on a variety of factors that did come into play, but most importantly I loved his Topps and Upper Deck entries.

EPITAPH:

On November 30, 2022, John Hadl passed away at the age of 82. No cause of death was given.

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
468723633350350.424426867.4
NFL

McCardell, Keenan ‘Thunder’ (2)

Playoff Contenders 2001, #40
Upper Deck 1997, #65

CARDS: Atomic 2001, Playoff Contenders 2001, Upper Deck 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o The Minnesota Vikings
FAILURE: TTM 2022, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I had been wanting to get a few more Jaguars’ players autographs, and with very few of them who signed I thought I’d loop back and get Keenan, since I’d never gotten him TTM. Since I met him way back in 2012 or 2013 at Houston Fan Fest, I had developed a passing interest in Atomic and Playoff Contenders sets. The die cut gimmick with the large logo really got me, and the autographs look great on it so, it’s slowly become my 2001 favorite.

The Unknown Commodity card from Upper Deck was selected because it’s very much a card that emulated the zeitgeist of the era. Over the top large lettering as the background with an image on top of it. I mean, it’s not bad. Certainly catches the eye, but at the same time, feels dated and makes you smirk a bit.

McCardell has been enjoying a surge through the coaching ranks. After a stop at Maryland as the WR coach, as of 2022 he’s with the Minnesota Vikings in the same capacity.

AAF, NFL

Arbuckle, Charles

Score 1990, #639

CARD: Score 1990
ACQUIRED: TTM 2020, C/o Home
SENT: 4/3/2020 RECEIVED: 9/4/2022 (884 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played for UCLA from 1986-89.
  • Increased productivity every season despite being limited by injuries.
  • Finished 1989 on a high note with 33 receptions for 309 yards and a TD.
  • In 4 years had 73 total receptions for 821 yards and 4 TDs.
  • Selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 5th round of the 1990 NFL Draft.
  • Spent 1991 on the off season rosters of the Browns and Chargers.
  • Didn’t see action until 1992- as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
  • Had no receptions until 11/29 against Buffalo, but burst onto the scene catching 9 passes for 106 yards.
  • Finished season with 13 receptions for 152 yards and a TD.
  • Played next 3 seasons in Indianapolis, retiring after the 1995 season.
  • Has spent post playing career in the booth as a color analyst for college football and NFL games.
  • Spent 2019 as a positional coach with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF.

NOTES:

Barely missing the top 10 cut of longest waits is Charles Arbuckle. Obviously I felt I was never getting this one back but lo and behold at my old address, there it was some 880+ days later.

I never noticed until now that the UCLA logo was airbrushed off the helmet. By 1990, I thought that card companies stopped doing this, but I guess the NCAA or UCLA had something to say to Score about their logos. Great card though. The photography and color is spot on.

Once I knew that Charles was on the coaching staff of the Hotshots I moved him up in the queue to write to.

RECYDSAVGTDLG
332828.5123t