Tag Archives: san fransisco 49ers

NFL

Solomon, Freddie (1953-2012)

Upper Deck Legends 1997 Certified, #AL-167

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Freddie Solomon played college ball at Tampa.
  • He was a virtuoso as QB, RB, or WR.
  • Over his college career he accumulated 1573 yards passing and 10 TD passes, 2009 yards from scrimmage and 20 TDs on 366 touches.
  • Selected in the second round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
  • Caught 22 passes for 339 yards and 2 TDs his rookie year.
  • Also played on special teams, racking up 348 KR yards, and 26 punt returns for 320 yards and a 60 yard TD.
  • Although not a factor in the Dolphins passing game the following two seasons either, he was a devastating punt returner, posting a 79 yard TD in ’76, and 11.4 yards per return overall in Miami.
  • After a 252 yards from scrimmage against the Bills and 3 TDs, San Fransisco’s interest was piqued.
  • Traded to the 49ers in 1978 along with safety Vern Roberson, and first and fifth round draft picks for RB Delvin Williams.
  • The 9ers saw Freddie’s potential and gave him plenty of opportunities at WR.
  • Set the franchise mark for longest TD grab at 92 yards in 1980.
  • Freddie had a career high 59 catches for 969 yards in 1982.
  • He’d also do PR duty as well, returning 2 for TDs in 1980.
  • A key member of SF’s early Super Bowl runs, Freddie played 8 seasons for San Fransisco, posting 310 receptions for 4,873 yards and 43 TDs.
  • Freddie retired after the 1985 season.

ACCOLADES:

  • 1975 All Rookie Team

NOTES:

I waited this one out for about 3 years, until the market started collapsing. I gambled that since Freddie was considered a lesser star, I would be able to get him at a pretty decent price.

EPITAPH:

Freddie passed away February 13th, 2012 after a 9 month battle from liver and colon cancer. He was just 59.

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NFL

Alexander, Kermit

Action Packed 1991 Whizzer White Award, #5
Topps 1969, #161

CARDS: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991, Topps 1969
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 9/26 RECEIVED: 11/23 (58 days)
FAILURE: TTM 2019, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Kermit Alexander played runningback for UCLA from 1960-62.
  • Posted 708 yards on 128 carries (6 TDs), and caught 32 passes for 508 yards and 2 TDs over college career.
  • Opting to play for SF over Denver in 1963, the 49ers would utilize Kermit as a return man and DB.
  • Over 7 seasons in SF, Kermit had 5+ interceptions 5 times, lead the NFL in fumble recoveries twice (5 in ’64 and 8 in ’65) playing all DB positions.
  • In 1965, he led the NFL in returns (35) and return yardage (741).
  • At the turn of 1970, Alexander was traded to the LA Rams.
  • He’d only play two seasons for the franchise, but not before he added 7 more interceptions to his resume, including an 82 yard TD.
  • Retired after the 1973 season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1968
  • Byron Whizzer White Award 1972

NOTES:

I had coveted Kermit on this Action Packed card of his for sometime. After writing him back in 2019 I was surprised to get these cards back unsigned as he had a very good signing track record. I suppose that he may have taken offense to something I wrote in my letter, as I was unaware of his family tragedy.

Later a friend of mine got him through the mail and told me that in his response a family member stated that Kermit was struggling with his memory, so I figured now was as good as any time as any.

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NFL

Francis, Russ ‘All-World Tight End’ (1953-2023)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #104

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 1/3 RECEIVED: 3/23 (59 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Russ Francis was a three year starter at TE for the Oregon Ducks.
  • It was really in his Junior year in 1974 he put up some outstanding numbers, catching 31 passes for 495 yards and 4 TDs.
  • A monster prospect, clocking in at 6’6″, 245, Russ not only had the hands, he had the size as well.
  • Russ was a slam dunk first round pick of the New England Patriots in 1975, taken 16th overall.
  • Russ chewed up the scenery his rookie year with the Pats, with 35 catches for 636 yards and 4 TDs.
  • In 1980, Russ had a career high 664 yards and 8 TDs on 41 receptions.
  • After the Patriots refused to give Russ a bonus for his Pro Bowl appearance, combined with how the team treated teammate Daryl Stingley after his paralization, Francis opted to retire.
  • Russ became a broadcaster briefly with ABC Sports, but after having a conversation with 49ers Bill Walsh, decided to come out of retirement in ’82.
  • Russ joined the ‘9ers, through a trade, just in time to help them build their dynasty, and helping the team win Super Bowl XIX in 1984.
  • He’d post a career high 44 receptions in 1985.
  • Russ played 7 games with the ‘9ers in 1987, before returning back to the Patriots.
  • He played one more year with New England in ’88, spending the entire ’89 campaign on IR, retiring soon thereafter.
  • Russ has had a robust life since retirement, participating in Wrestlemania II, dabbling in politics, hosting radio, and outdoor shows.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1976-’78
  • Polynesian Sports Hall of Fame (Contributor)
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1978)
  • Wrestlemania II

NOTES:

I really, really wanted Russ to be my first response of 2022, but he ended up responding a few months later. Still, a great response from Russ, who put a lot of inscriptions on the card. He also wrote a nice note saying that he, “Had a great time in Wrestlemania II!”

Russ has two nicknames. He was dubbed ‘All-Universe’ because he could do it all when he came into the NFL. His second, ‘All-World Tight End’ was given to him by Howard Cosell during a MNF contest.

I think Russ deserved this card as a legend, and a lot more credit than he gets. A prolific receiver during the dead ball era, if not for an injury and retiring suddenly, he easily could’ve topped out over 6k yards. Nothing to sneeze at when 5 seasons were during the infamous dead ball era.

Russ appears on the original Tecmo Super Bowl as a member of the San Fransisco 49ers. He is notable as he is the receiver for a play that can not be defended against that if you time the pass right, catches the ball on every throw, even under heavy blitz.

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EPITAPH:

10/1/23- Russ had recently completed the purchase of the Lake Placid Airways Scenic Tours Business. He was on in a single engine Cessna 177 Cardinal with the SVP of the Pilot’s Association, when the plane started experiencing engine trouble after take off. The plane was unable to return to the runway. -Francis was just 70 years old.