Tag Archives: topps 1980

NFL, wfl

Bergey, Bill

Cards: Topps 1980, Topps 1981
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Bill Bergey was a monster middle linebacker with a motor that never quit. After setting multiple records for tiny Arkansas State, he’d be drafted by the Cincinatti Bengals in the second round of the 1969 AFL draft. He immediately contributed to the team as a starter, and was named an AFL All-Star and Sporting News defensive rookie of the year, after recording 2 picks his rookie season. He continued playing with the Bengals through 1973 when he had 3 picks and 3 fumbles. After the season, the upstart WFL was picking off established and upcoming names from the NFL to pepper its rosters. Bill Bergey signed a futures contract with Jack Pardee‘s Florida Blazers, and then was promptly sued by the Bengals for breach of contract.  The NFL ended up losing in court, and Paul Brown traded the rights of Bergey for what seemed an exorbitant amount at the time- two first round draft choices and a second rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles.  When Bergey quickly figured out that the Blazers were all fuzzy math, he made the correct choice and returned to the NFL for the 1974 season.

The Eagles trade immediately paid off. Bergey solidified the center of the ‘Gang Green’ defense for Philadelphia, and his ability to read and react quickly and heat seek out ball carriers, led him to set the team record with 233 tackles in one season.  Bergey also set the NFL record for most interceptions by a middle linebacker in a season with 5 in 1974. He’d follow that up in 1975 as he led the league in fumble recoveries with 6. 1977 saw a switch of defensive philosophy for the Eagles, and the 3-4 was in order. Bill shifted inside to left inside linebacker and didn’t miss a beat recording 4 picks and 4 fumble recoveries in 1978.  Over his time with Bergey, the Eagles were a dominating force in the NFC East, and they’d reach the Super Bowl in 1980. He’d retire in 1981.

Bill was inducted into the Eagles Honor Roll in 1988, and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. (The Bengals also consider him one of their best defensive players ever too.) He remains popular with fans of that era, and has gone into color, and radio game commentary for the Eagles. With surprising interception numbers that look like a defensive back, its disappointing that there hasn’t been a stronger case made for Bergey in the HoF at least as a ‘seniors’ candidate.

G 159     Tac   N/a        Sac  N/a      Fum 21    Int  27     Yds  397    Avg  6.8    Td  0     Lg  58

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, ufl, University of Texas

Sisemore, Jerry

to81 j sisemoreto80 j sisemore

Cards: Topps 1980, Topps 1981
Acquired: In Person, 11/9/11 Card Traders of Austin UD 2011 UT Football Card Launch Party

Really Upper Deck? Shame on you for not printing a card of University of Texas legend Jerry Sisemore. I guess they are saving him for series 2. Pathetic. Well Jerry also appeared at the event and signed some cards. He was a last second booking, but I was happy to add him finally to the collection along with Bill Bradley, Johnny Walker, and Rod Babers.

The 3rd overall pick of the 1974 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Jerry Sisemore was a man-mountain, at 6’4″, 250 after graduating from the University of Texas.  He’d go on to start 155 games for the franchise over the next 12 seasons at both guard and tackle. Sisemore played for an Eagles franchise from some of the lowest doldrums of the NFC East, to its apogee and the Super Bowl in 1980. In 1979 alone he played for a monstrous 430 minutes. Considered one of the Eagles finest linemen ever, he was inducted into the Eagles Wall of Honor in 1991 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Currently Sisemore partially owns a chain of sub shops in Austin called Delaware Subs, that used to air somewhat hilarious commercials where his Texas drawl and delivery were the punchline of them. He’s dabbled in coaching, lastly for the Florida Tuskers of the UFL.  Jerry also is highly active in commercial property development, which if you live in Austin is quite lucrative.