Leo Lewis was an offensive weapon in college at Missouri, seeing time rushing receiving and punt returning.
Played for the Tigers from 1975-’78.
Over college career amassed 82 receptions for 1043 yards and 9 TDs, 17 carries for 104 yards and 2 TDs, and returned 51 punts for 468 yards.
Undrafted he played in Canada for a season splitting time with the Calgary Stampeders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1980.
Signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 1981.
Had most successful season in 1984, catching 47 passes for 834 yards and 4 TDs for the Vikings.
Doubled as the team’s primary punt returner in 1988 and ’89.
Led league with 58 returns (550 yards) in ’88, and had another 44 in ’89.
Split the 1990 campaign with the Browns and Vikings.
Retired after the 1991 season and 11 seasons with the Vikings.
Caught 182 passes for 2924 yards and 16 TDs while returning 49 punts for 1868 yards and a TD.
Vikings Director of Player Development from 1992-’05
Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development at the University of Minnesota from 2005-’14.
NOTES:
Leo appeared early on in the Topps sets before the big boom of cards. I was surprised that he didn’t appear in Pro Set or Fleer for that matter near the tail end of his career, so I was happy to see that there was a Score 1990 floating around of him. He has a great autograph and I was a bit disappointed he wasn’t my first return of 2026.
Leo appeared in the classic Nintendo game Tecmo Bowl as a member of the Minnesota Monsters franchise and is a fantastic punt and kick returner.
There he had over 100 tackles in 3 straight years, including 129 as a senior.
A sneaky 10th round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989.
Saw playing time both on special teams and at ILB.
Totaled 41 total tackles, a sack, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble in his rookie campaign.
A key backup, he played sparingly over the next few seasons.
Lost a good portion of his 1993 and all of his 1994 seasons to a knee injury.
Returned again to a key role as a special teamer and backup linebacker.
Signed with the Bengals in 1998 and finished the regular season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Entered the college coaching ranks in 2003 working with Youngstown State.
In 2010, Jerry became a defensive assistant with the Steelers.
Then was moved to the inside linebackers coaching position with the team in 2015.
In 2023, joined Duquense as a defensive assistant.
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1989
NOTES:
Jerry only had 4 cards or so, but made out pretty good with these two. Topps always had a deep cut or two and Jerry qualifies as such in one of these rare action shots.
CARDS: Pro Set 1990, Score 1990, Score 1990 Supplemental, Gameday 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: 1/3 RECEIVED: 1/17 (14 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Keith Sims was a well decorated OL that played for the Iowa State Cyclones from 85-89.
His size and speed on his feet made him a versatile lineman who could play any position on the line.
During the 1990 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins were looking to rebuild their OL to keep the pocket clean for Dan Marino.
With their first two picks of the draft, the Dolphins selected Richmond Webb (1st) and Keith Sims (2nd).
Webb was immediately slotted in at T while Sims took over at G.
They’d form a dominant duo, that’d anchor the Dolphins from 1990-’97.
During the ’97 season, Sims played for the Redskins.
After an offseason with the Eagles in ’98, Sims finished out his career back in Washington from 1998-’00.
Over his career, Sims played in 142 games, starting 133.
Since retiring, Keith has gone into coaching.
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1990
Pro Bowl 1993-’95
2nd Team AP 1994
Iowa State Hall of Fame
Dolphins Walk of Fame 2013
NOTES:
Keith Sims, was a top notch and versatile lineman that has received due from both Iowa State and Miami- but buried under a backlog of elite players, will never see his due in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A reliable TTMer he signed these 4 cards for me.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
