CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Action Packed 1991, Skybox Impact 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 2/14 RECEIVED: 3/7 (21 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Ronnie Lippett was a 3 year starter at the University of Miami at DB from 1979-’81.
Recorded 3 interceptions and 49 tackles in his Senior year, and 10 overall for this career.
Drafted by the New England Patriots in 1982 during the 8th round, Lippett ended up being a steal for the team.
Although standing at 5’11”, 180, he almost immediately stepped into the starting lineup replacing Mike Haynes (who departed for LA).
Over his career Lippett intercepted 24 passes- with 7 of them coming at the hands of Dan Marino.
Best season came in 1986 when Lippett had 8 picks for 76 yards.
Despite suffering near career ending injuries, Lippett played through the 1991 season, appearing in 121 contests.
After retiring worked with families counselling kids to stay off drugs and owned a series of quick oil change shops.
ACCOLADES:
University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame
AFC Defensive Player of the Week 1986
New England Patriots All 1980s Team
NOTES:
A venerable DB, Ronnie Lippett was a solid DB in Tecmo Superbowl. Lippett has received some attention for his litigation against the Patriots and the NFL for workman’s compensation, delayed payments and benefit issues.
Kyle Clifton played college ball at TCU from 1980-’83.
Upon arriving at TCU Clifton was a quarterback, but by his Sophomore season had fully converted to the rigors of linebacker- playing both inside and outside ‘backer.
Broke the school’s single season tackle record in ’83, posting 189 total stops.
Selected in the 3rd round of the ’84 draft by the New York Jets.
After Bob Crable went down with an injury in the middle of the defense, Kyle stepped in.
Finished with 113 tackles in his rookie campaign.
He’d lead the squad in 1985 with 160 while chipping in 3 picks.
In 1988, Kyle had a banner campaign with 162 total tackles, and 4 forced fumbles.
He quickly broke the 1k tackle barrier in 1990, posting a career high 199 tackles that year.
Kyle continued to be a force in the middle, leading the team in tackles over 5 straight seasons.
In 1994, Kyle blew out his knee, ending his streak at 6 seasons with 130+ tackles.
And that was that- as in 1995 he came in off the bench and seldom saw playtime, retiring after the ’96 campaign and 204 contests.
At the time of his retirement, he was the Jets’ career leading tackler with 1,484 stops, and second all-time in league history (since surpassed).
NOTES:
Over Kyle’s quiet career in New York, you’d think that he’d have garnered more attention based on his incredible run stopping prowess, leading the league in 1985, ’86 and ’88. He also ranked in the top 10 in solo tackles seven times. Kyle is a great example of a run stopping tackle monster not getting their due. Despite his resume, the Jets have yet to induct Clifton into their Ring of Honor, as of the time of this post.
Kyle had a lot of cards that fit my set needs so I was lucky enough that he’d sign 4 for me.
I like Christian so much as a person after meeting him back in 2011. He made such a positive impression back then. I had really wanted to get his autograph again on a few cards- well a lot of cards.
After sporadically signing back in 2019, I sent one out, only to wait 2770 days for him to return it asking for a charitable donation to the Christian Okoye Foundation. I was sort of conflicted about the wait- but I’d guess he was buried under fan mail for all those years, so I am thankful he returned them. So I packed them up with the fee with a few additional cards and sent these back out.
That leaves me with a few odds and ends to complete out my collection with him. I also invited him to town and told him to look me up so I could treat him to real BBQ or breakfast tacos.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
