CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Action Packed 1990, Score 1991, Fleer 1990 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 1/27/22 RECEIVED: 9/12/22 (228 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Mark Murphy played college football at little known West Liberty State.
DB signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers in 1980.
An iron clad tackler at SS, who was very effective as a zone defender, quickly established himself as a starter in the secondary in ’81.
Had career high 114 total tackles in 1984.
Started for the team through ’86- when he spent the entire season on IR after breaking his leg.
Returned back to form in 1987, led the team in tackles the next 4 seasons.
Notched a career high 5 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries the following season.
Dabbled in coaching at the high school and small college level since retirement in 1992.
ACCOLADES:
West Liberty State Hall of Fame
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
Stark County High School Hall of Fame
NOTES:
Mark Murphy was always an underrated gem who got the appreciation of his peers and fans in Green Bay- but very little outside of it. He however did cash in on most of the major brands before he retired, and all my set needs are represented here. Mark has alopecia and doesn’t have any hair on his body. My friends used to call him ‘Mr. Clean’. Mark Murphy is not to be confused with the football executive by the same name.
CARDS: Pro Set 1991 HoF Photo Contest, Fleer 1990, Score 1992, Playbook ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 6/13/22 RECEIVED: 6/24/22 (11 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Mike Mularkey played college ball at Florida from 1980 to ’82.
He caught 55 passes for 628 yards and 3 TDs over his college career.
In 1983 signed with the San Fransisco 49ers as a 9th round pick, but ultimately finished the season on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings.
Caught first TD pass against Buccaneers in 1984, for one yard.
Known as a blocking TE, played for the Vikings through the ’88 season, catching 42 passes for 464 yards and 5 TDs.
Signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989 and had a career high 22 receptions for 326 yards and a TD.
Recorded career highs again in ’90 catching 32 receptions for 365 yards and 3 TDs.
Retired after the 1991 season.
After a year off, went into coaching with Concordia University (MN) and was there for two years.
Quickly moved back to the NFL in 1994 working with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a quality control and then later a TE coach.
Returned to Pittsburgh in ’96 as a TE coach, and then later as the offensive coordinator (2001-’03).
In 2004 took his first head coaching job in Buffalo and coached the team to a 14-18 record over two seasons as the team had to manage a QB controversy in 2005.
After an odd season with the Nick Saban Dolphins as OC in 2006, and then Cam Cameron as his TE coach in 2007, Mike hopped over to the Falcons in 2008 where he was OC again.
Head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars for one season in 2012, posting a 2-14 record.
Stayed in the AFC South as the TE coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2013.
Then after Ken Whisenhunt was fired during the season in 2015, Mularkey finished out the season, posting a 2-7 record.
Kept on board as the HC, Whisenhunt rebuilt the Titans, and in 2016 and 2017 posted a 9-7 record- making the playoffs in the latter.
Served as a TE coach for the Falcons in 2019, retiring from coaching after the season.
ACCOLADES:
Assistant Coach of the Year 2001
Offensive Coordinator of the Year 2010
NOTES:
Yes! What a play drawn up by Mike! Randle El Shovel 68 (Pitch to Randle El. Shovel to Jerome.) Pretty neat! He even wrote in a few player names including Bettis, Hines, Kordell Stewart and Randle El. So we know for certain this play came from his golden era with the Steelers between 2001-’03. Mike’s nickname ‘Inspector Gadget’ came from his penchant for gadget plays during his time with Pittsburgh.
To be honest, Mike got no respect. I remember when the Titans hired him as their head coach, everyone, even flaming tacks fans were snickering or uninspired by the choice- but much to Mike’s credit, he did build a successful team, and then he was run out of town.. after making the playoffs!
CARDS: Score 1990 Supplemental, Score 1991, Pro Set 1989 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Work SENT: 1/30/23 RECEIVED: 2/26/24 (392 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Riki Ellison played college ball at USC where underwent 4 knee surgeries- which caused him to be overlooked or removed from many draft day boards.
A 5th round find by the San Fransisco 49ers in 1983.
Led the team in tackles in two of his first 3 seasons.
Had career high 106 tackles in ’85.
Had 10 tackles and 2 picks in ’83 playoff victory over Detroit Lions.
Missed most of ’87 season with a broken forearm.
Broke arm in final preseason game of ’89 and missed entire season.
Signed by the Los Angeles Raiders as a free agent in 1990.
Immediately led all Raiders LB’s in tackles over the next two seasons.
Retired after the 1992 campaign.
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1983
Polynesian Sports Hall of Fame 2017
NOTES:
Riki is probably the first player of Maori and from New Zealand that I’ve gotten the autograph of. He was signing at a pretty quick clip at the end of ’22, but I had to wait a bit over a year for this one. He’s got a great autograph! Riki appeared with other 49ers as backup singers on two Huey Lewis and the News songs.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
