Stepped into the starting lineup in ’73, and led the conference in completion percentage (55.8), yards per attempt (7.7) and rating (130.6), completing 116 of 208 passes for 1603 yards and 13 TDs.
Signed with the Southern California Sun of the WFL in 1975.
Completed 98 of 163 passes for 1404 yards and 11 TDs.
Was the league’s leading passer before heading off to Oxford.
After WFL folded he joined the Rams- who drafted Haden in the 7th round of the 1975 NFL Draft.
Completed 60 of 105 passes for 896 yards and 8 TDs after being pressed into action as the 3rd string QB during the second week of the season.
In ’77 completed 122 of 216 passes for 1551 yards and 11 TDs to 6 picks while guiding the team to 8 wins and 2 losses.
1978 would be Pat’s best overall season of his career, with him setting personal marks for attempts (444), completions (229), yards (2,995), TDs (13), and rushing with 33 carries for 206 yards.
He’d be supplanted in the lineup due to injury in 1979 as Vince Ferragamo led the Rams to the Super Bowl.
Injuries again derailed Haden’s 1980 and ’81 campaigns.
Went immediately into broadcasting providing color for CBS, NBC, Arena Football, Westwood One, and Notre Dame.
Athletic Director at USC from 2010-’16.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1977
NOTES:
Pat has been involved at numerous levels in charitable giving and organizations.
CARDS: Donruss 2020, Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl XVI, Upper Deck Football Heroes 2008, Topps 1979, Upper Deck Legends 1997, Top Notch Signature Select ACQUIRED: TTM 2018, 2021, C/o Home SENT: 1/2/21 RECEIVED: 1/13/21 (11 days) SENT: 9/10/18 RECEIVED: 1/29/21 (872 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Ken Anderson played QB for Augustana College from 1967-70.
Finished college career ranked fifth in NCAA history for career total offense yardage (6,679).
3rd round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1971.
Became starter in 1972.
Played for the Bengals for his entire 16 year career.
Led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance (XVI).
Set the NFL single season record for completions 70.6 (since surpassed – Drew Brees).
Led league in completion percentage in 1974, ’82, ’83.
Led league in passing yards in both 1974 and 75.
Led league in passer rating in 1974, ’75, ’81, and ’82.
As of 2023 holds the Bengals records for completions, passing yards, TDs and rushing yards by a Cincinnati QB.
Coached with the Bengals from 1993-2002, Jaguars from 2003-06, and Steelers from 2007-09.
Topps 1979, #115Upper Deck Legends 1997, #76
ACCOLADES:
Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame 2003
NFL MVP 1981
Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
Pro Bowl 1975-76, ’81, ’82
All-Pro 1981
Second Team All-Pro 1975
NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1981
NFL Comeback Player of the Year 1981
NFL Man of the Year 1975
Pro Set 1990 Super Bowl XVI Insert, #162008 Upper Deck Football Heroes, #238
NOTES:
I had sent out to Ken back in 2018, but since he lives in SC, he was square in the path of I think Hurricane Sandy that month. Looking back now, it seems that my request from that year was in the bottom of his mailbag. Ken ended up responding to my retry before my original request, if that makes any sense. His 872 day response falls short of the top 10 waits by about 150 days.
I didn’t buy any NFL cards from 2020, but my friend Joe who helps me run a Facebook group had so many of the Donruss he sent me the entire set. I like the design of it but, considering how much prices have gone up I wouldn’t buy any of these in the wild unless they were discounted.
I really like ‘Long Tom’ cards like the Gameday set, so I thought I’d try my hand at making a few customs. It was a pain to do initially as no printer handles this size, but I designed the canvas to have some areas of white so that it was perfect for the autograph. His autograph looks great on this. I’m not sure if I’ll do anymore of these cards, but time will tell.
I am firmly in the camp that Ken Anderson belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His numbers compare favorably with fellow WCO alum and HoFer Dan Fouts yet Anderson played during the Dead Ball era earlier in his career.
Converted from QB to TE while playing at Louisiana Tech.
In 1975 caught 25 passes for 577 yards and 6 TDs.
Second round pick of the Houston Oilers in 1976.
Saw first sustained action in 1977 used primarily as a blocking TE in the Oilers run based offense centered primarily around Earl Campbell.
Grew into role as receiver in ’78, catching 32 passes for 513 yards and 3 TDs.
Although ’79 was a down year, had best year in ’80 setting marks with 59 receptions for 712 yards and 5 TDs- all career highs.
After largely injury plagued 1981, joined Los Angeles Rams in 1982.
Had another solid year in ’83, posting 55 receptions for 657 yards and 3 TDs.
Played with LA through 1985, splitting time with Rams (5 games) and Broncos (10 games), before retiring.
Has been involved with coaching and ministry work since retirement.
Topps 1979, #37Topss 1980, #272
NOTES:
Second time is a charm, and I was happy to add Mike to my collection of Oilers. Unfortunately I saw on Twitter, that he like many Houston Oilers, has forgotten his HOUSTON Oilers fan roots, and has embraced the Tennessee Titan traitors, appearing in Tennessee for franchise’s ‘homecoming game’.
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
222
2788
12.6
17
79
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
