I think that when I got Mike a few years back, I was later thumbing through my Skybox 1992 binder and realized he had a card. Thankfully my friend Rick came through in a pinch for me. He asked me if I needed him and sent him to me unprompted.
I think one of the hardest things to take from a hobby- especially things like autograph collecting, is not to become jaded, not to become insular to making new friends or helping others. Rick and I met through the autograph group that I manage on Facebook. He and Jake have been constant contributors and fast friends. I always pay it forward, so I am always thankful when I get something. This is really what the hobby is about, and I am so thankful that others think of me.
Mike Curtis played college ball at Duke from 1962-’64.
He’d go on to establish himself as one of the greatest athletes in Duke history, playing both LB and FB.
#1 pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1965 who planned to use him exclusively at FB.
Was also selected in the 3rd round of the 1965 AFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Made the transition to MLB in 1966 and the rest became history.
Played alongside ‘The Mad Stork’ Ted Hendricks, as the team lost Super Bowl III and won Super Bowl V.
Played for Colts from 1965-’75.
Joined the expansion Seahawks for ’76, eventually finishing career after the ’77 and ’78 seasons with the Redskins.
Started 125 of 166 contests over career.
ACCOLADES:
Duke Hall of Fame
All-Pro 1968, ’69
Pro Bowl 1968, 1970-’71, ’74
Colts MVP 1974
AFC Defensive Player of the Year 1970
NOTES:
Mike Curtis was one of these sweeping cheap Ebay pickups I did at the beginning of 2020. As a not really big name, I waited this one out- and then promptly forgot to scan the card in when I got it, so it waited in limbo for a while before I tracked it down.
I could make an argument for Mike Curtis to be in the HoF, but I doubt he will ever get in, as defensive statistics weren’t well tracked or considered spectacular at the time. He was an absolute terror patrolling the middle of the field and was extremely effective covering the pass for a LB.
EPITAPH:
4/20/20- Mike Curtis passed away from CTE in St. Petersburg, FL at the age of 77.
CARD: Pro Set 1989 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Work SENT: 1/17 RECEIVED: 2/13 (27 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
After transferring from Cal St Fullerton, Paul Moyer finished out his college career playing for Arizona State in 1983.
He’d go undrafted in 1984, but catch on with the Seattle Seahawks, starting one game.
In his rookie campaign he had an interception for a TD and 3 forced fumbles.
He’d start his first 16 game slate in 1988, posting a career high 6 picks and 2 forced fumbles.
Unfortunately in 1989 he suffered a career ending neck injury.
He’d be hired as a coach for the team, working with the DBs from 1990-’94.
Since that time he’s worked for the franchise as an analyst for the Seahawks pre and post game coverage.
NOTES:
Sometimes I crawl through the back end of sportscollectors.net and look for players that have fallen through the cracks TTM. I had a very good feeling about Paul. He was a player who boasted a pretty good response percentage, but had dropped off recently after an address change. It just required a bit of grease work to find his updated address. He responded by writing a very nice note thanking me for being a fan along with the autographed card.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
