Tag Archives: topps 1971

NFL

Mauck, Carl

Cards: Topps 1971, Topps 1980
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 9/7    Received: 9/13   (6 days)

In the Jurassic Era of AFL football, even before offensive linemen Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews roamed the gridiron for the Houston Oilers, perhaps one of the most solid technicians to play OL for the team was Center Carl Mauck.  Originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts way back in 1969 in the 13th round of the NFL draft, Carl bounced around his first 3 years in the league. After only 4 games under his belt in 1969, Carl moved to the Dolphins for a season for another 3 games experience. It’d be in his time in San Diego in ’71 he’d finally position himself as an outstanding lineman, leading the Chargers from center for the next 4 seasons.

The Oilers signed him in 1975. With a new head coach in Bum Philips, the team was trying to change its losing ways and signing Mauck was a way of stopping the revolving door on the offensive line. The 6-4, 243lb, offensive lineman had 55 games under his belt, and immediately became a guiding force in young quarterback Dan Pastorini‘s football life. Mauck was also a road grader, providing great inline blocking for Earl Campbell. In 1978 the offense set an NFL record with the least sacks allowed on the season with 17. He’d also succeed in stabilizing the line woes starting 94 games over the next seven seasons, retiring after the ’81 season.

Carl went straight into coaching, following Bum to New Orleans. Considered a virtuoso at coaching offensive line blocking, Carl spent the 1982 through the 1985 seasons with the Saints, before coaching with the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Chargers, Cardinals, Bills, and Lions. In his first coaching stint with the Chargers, Carl was reunited with Bum Philips’ son, Wade, where the team appeared in Super Bowl XXIX following the 1994 season.  From 2006-2007 he coached tight ends at his Alma Mater, Southern Illinois. Carl is an active NFL alumni and frequently gives his feedback on the state of the NFL, players and coaches. He also appeared at Fan Fest II in Houston. Currently he lives outside of Dallas, Tx.

 

College Football HoF, NFL

Brodie, John (1935-2026) ‘JB’

CARDS: Topps 1970, Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: IP 1993, CGA Youth Golf Tournament. eBay, 2023

CAREER SHAPSHOT:

  • John Brodie led the PCC in nearly all the passing categories in 1956 while playing QB at Stanford.
  • He completed 139 of 240 passes for 1633 yards and 12 TDs that season and finished 7th in Heisman voting.
  • Selected in the 1st round of the 1957 NFL Draft (3rd overall) by the San Fransisco 49ers.
  • He’d be groomed as the heir apparent to Y.A. Tittle in San Fransisco.
  • After a rough couple of seasons, he’d finally hit his stride by ’61 when he was firmly established as the team’s starter.
  • He’d lead the league that year averaging 9.1 yards per attempt.
  • In 1965, he had one of his finest seasons as a pro, completing 242 of 391 attempts, for 3112 yards and 30 TDs, and leading the league in most passing categories.
  • Then in ’68 he’d complete 234 of 404 passes for 3020 yards (22 TDs) to lead all passers.
  • 1970 saw another banner year with 24 TD passes on 223 attempts along with 2,941 yards to lead the NFL.
  • Retiring from football after the 1973 season, Brodie played 17 seasons in all, appearing in 259 games, and starting 201 of them.
  • Brodie’s love for sports ran deep and he quickly became a force on the PGA golf circuit, and later in life a member of the Champion’s Tour.
  • He was also a gifted announcer and color man for both sports for many years.

ACCOLADES:

  • All Pro 1965, ’70
  • Pro Bowl 1965, ’70
  • San Fransisco 49ers Hall of Fame
  • College Football Hall of Fame (’86)
  • Number 12 Retired- San Fransisco 49ers
  • NFL Comeback Player of the Year 1965
  • NFL MVP 1970
  • African-American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame 2010
  • Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame

NOTES:

Way, way back in 1993, I met John Brodie on the course early in the day at the CGA Youth Golf Tournament with Steve Spurrier and Dick Anderson. He loved the drawing I did of him and he laughed because I didn’t have one of the Ol’ Ball Coach.

John really didn’t sign TTM very much until the last year of his life, and this certified like many others were usually out of reach financially for me. I just got lucky on this one.

Brodie should’ve been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame some time ago IMHO. I feel that his career, spanning 3 decades, and owning all the 49ers passing records at the time of his retirement really should merit a bit more consideration.

One of the many overlooked legendary quarterbacks who came through the 49er organization before Montana and Young, Brodie was a passing machine throughout the 1960s.

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EPITAPH:

1/23/26- On Friday January 26th, it was announced that John Brodie had passed away at the age of 90. No cause of death was given.