CARDS: Skybox 1992, Pro Set 1990, Fleer 1992, Gameday 1992, Pacific 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: 5/30/23 RECEIVED: 8/23/23 (85 days) FAILURE: TTM 2018, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Michael Young played WR for UCLA from 1983-’84.
He caught 48 passes for 737 yards and 7 TDs with the Bruins.
A 6th round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1985.
Got caught in a numbers game as his playing time waned with the unretirement of Ron Brown.
Played for the Rams through ’88 catching 35 passes for 421 yards and 4 TDs.
Joined the Broncos in ’89 via Plan B and immediately paid dividends, spotting the Three Amigos.
From 1989-’91 he set career single season highs in receptions.
Caught a career high 4 TDs in 1990.
In the playoffs that year caught a 53 yard pass and a 70 yard TD against the Browns to help Denver reach Super Bowl XXIV.
Started 13 games in 1991 and caught a career high 44 passes for 629 yards (2 TDs).
Played for the Eagles in 1993 catching 14 passes for 186 yards and 2 TDs.
In 1994 dressed for two contests for the Chiefs.
After retirement, made the transition to the front office, serving for the Denver Broncos, and then the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League and then with the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB).
Skybox 1992, #132Pacific 1992, #86
NOTES:
When I first became a Rams fan, I saw Michael streaking down the field on a few plays. I thought he was going to really be something for them in their already strong WR corps. Then he went off and signed with Denver. I was a bit butt hurt. I knew he’d be clutch when it counted for somebody.
I was miffed that I failed on him back in 2018 considering I lived pretty much right around the corner from him at one point, however I reloaded and gave him another shot a few years later. After pointing out that I was confused because sometimes color men and Wikipedia called him ‘Mike’- he let me know that he indeed goes by Michael. He sent me an NFL Alumni sticker, 2 extra autographs, a nice note, and also his Dodgers business card in his return correspondence. Worth the wait.
Many years ago, thanks to my friend Bryan who was taking a break from collecting I acquired a few of Tom Waddle’s autographs. At the time I didn’t have anything from Waddle and gleefully added him on 2 cards. Well after all those years, I’ve developed specific set needs and now I needed him on a few of them, including both these Skybox sets and the Gameday 1992 issue.
Skybox 1992 had very few disappointing cards, chief among this one. There was no reason that any manufacturer at this point- especially one that prided itself in the ‘poster card’ design style, would come up with this one of Waddle just standing there with his hands on his hips. They should’ve used the action shot from the Skybox set’s Bears team card for this and relegated this hip pose to that team card instead.
All the others feel like nice designs- though Pro Set 1992 used a less close shot of the same image from the Action Packed 1992 card. I love the clarity of the Gameday 1992 card. Although probably unintended, the people in the background and the referee are so clear, that you can see their astonishment with Tom laying out to catch that pass.
Mike Merriweather played linebacker for Pacific from 1978-’81.
Playing in 33 contests he had 4 interceptions for 67 yards and a TD.
Third round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1982.
After suiting up for 9 contests in ’82 became a full-time starter in 1983.
Dominant linebacker, had an impressive run from 1984-’86.
Had a career high 15 sacks in 1985.
After the shortened ’87 strike season, Merriweather held out the entire 1988 season.
He’d be traded in 1989 to the Minnesota Vikings.
Returned to form, starting 63 games with 7 picks, and 7 fumble recoveries.
Finished out career splitting the 1993 season with the Packers and Jets.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1984-’86
Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame
Skybox 1992, #158
NOTES:
Mike had some great cards along the way. Total intimidator shots- but these as set needs definitely came first. He was kind enough to sign all of these with a small donation, personalizing each one- which I don’t mind at all. I remember getting Mike’s 1989 Pro Set card as a kid. I was pretty disappointed that he was in his off season gear.
Mike was one of a group of rare players who challenged the NFL’s bargaining contract by sitting out the entire ’88 season from the Steelers, until he forced the trade in 1989 that sent him to Minnesota.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
41.0
16
18
299
16.6
4
73
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
