Tag Archives: skybox 1992

College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Marino, Dan

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1992, Score 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: In Person 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament

The crown gem of my celebrity golf tournament autograph requests, I’ve been dreading doing the bio for Dan Marino as he has so many accolades, it’s easy to miss some of them and his write up would be huge.

Well Dan Marino was quite nice at the tournament. He literally got swarmed and I dived into the fold. When he realized he was being surrounded he asked us to all line up in an orderly line and he’d sign a limit of 3 cards a piece for us. (The SkyBox and the Score cards are two of my favorite cards, while the Action Packed was just part of a set that I swore to complete and know I never will.) Anyway, I know now that Marino gets so overwhelmed with requests TTM it’s basically a waste of time now- and any sender gets their cards returned with a thanks but sorry letter, so I consider myself quite lucky in that regard to not only have 1 but 3 autographs from him.

Dan Marino went to the University of Pittsburgh, where he virtually shattered all the college quarterback records while leading them to some of their most memorable seasons ever but was unable to ever win the Heisman. Marino would be a part of the historic 1983 draft, that would include such notables as John Elway, Ken O’ Brien and Jim Kelly with so far 6 Hall of Famers have come out of this draft. His stock would plummet before the draft, and Dan would be passed up in favor for such notables as Todd Blackledge and Tony Eason. At #27 Dan Marino would drop out of the sky and into the Dolphins lap. Don Shula‘s Dolphins were at that time still a traditionally strong running team, but Marino’s imprint on the franchise would be so indelible, that the team would quickly become one of the most prolific air attacks in the league over the next 15 seasons. Dan Marino encompasses the definition of a traditional drop back passer. With a powerful arm, lightning quick release, great pocket awareness, and an intelligent understanding of the intricacies of the game, Marino would be named to the ProBowl and AP 9 times while making the playoffs 10 times out of 17 seasons. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, he held virtually every passing record when he retired, being the first player to throw for over 5000 yards in a season. In 2003 he was inducted into the college football hall of fame, had his number retired and has a statue also bearing his likeness outside of the Dolphins’ stadium. Dan has gone into broadcasting, been involved in charitable work, and has had lucrative endorsement spokesperson for Weight Watchers, Isotoner gloves, and Papa John’s Pizza.

G/Gs  242/240   Att 8358    Comp 4967   Yds 61361   Pct 59.4    Td 420   Int 252  Rat 86.4

NFL

Wallace, Aaron

Card: Action Packed Rookies 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: In Person 1990, 1992 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Aaron Wallace was part of the Texas A&M “Blitz Brothers” back in the late 80’s with John Roper. Setting a Texas A&M record for career sacks (42), he was selected as a Lombardi semifinalist in 1989. His critical 10 yard sack of Andre Ware set the tempo and preserved a victory over the high scoring Houston Cougar offense. Combining great size (6’3″, 245) and speed, Aaron was a pass rushing force from the outside his rookie season, and he ranked second among rookies with 9 sacks after being drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Raiders. He’d be named to numerous All-Rookie teams after the season and led the team in forced fumbles.

Inexplicably, Al Davis had the team sign Winston Moss and Wallace was relegated to even more backup duty in his next season. Finally allowed to start in 1992  Wallace started 36 games for the Raiders over the next 3 seasons, before he was relegated to backup duty again in 1995. Aaron would retire after 8 seasons with the Raiders in 1998. Since then he’s done some coaching at the high school level and travels to San Diego to watch his son play regularly. Below you’ll find his stats, plus a video when he sacked Andre Ware and ripped off his helmet.

G/Gs 102/36   Tac n/a   Sac 21   Fum n/a     Int  0  Yds  0  Avg -.-   Td 0   Lg –

Wallace takes out Andre Ware in that 1989 game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac9AI-mpsMM

NFL

Agnew, Ray

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, SkyBox 1992
Acquired: TTM, Patriots Blitz 1992, 1993

Ray Agnew is a nice story. Here’s a guy who played on the Patriots when they really sucked, and was more of a run stopper than a pass rusher at left and right defensive end. From 1990-1992, Agnew would start 33 games for the Patriots after being drafted with their first round selection. Then in 1993 with a change in management, Ray’s playing time would drop, and he’d only start 4 games over the next two seasons.

He’d make the lineup for Tecmo SuperBowl, but the game would obviously not do him justice. In 1995 Agnew would move over to the Giants and also move to defensive tackle where after another season near 50 tackles, he spent the next two seasons in 96 and 97 riding the bench. His lone big highlight would be an interception he’d take to the house against the Detroit Lions for 34 yards in 1996. He’d sign with the St. Louis Rams in 1998, providing valuable depth for the them making a career high 5 sacks that season, and in 2000 Ray would get another 4 sacks, winning the Super Bowl with them and retire on top.

G/Gs 157/97   Sac 22.5   Tac 377  Fum 5
Int 2   Yds 34   Avg 17.0  Td 1   Lg 34T