I had gotten Rich way, way back when he was with the Houston Oilers TTM. He had some great cards, but I only got one at the time. Later I acquired the Topps, Bowman, and Score autographs as part of what I call the ‘Akron Aquisition’- a stack of autographs I got from Bryan when he briefly left the hobby. A consistent signer, I put out these last 4 to Rich, with the majority of them being set needs. Honestly one of the best autographs out there- if not for punters alone. Love the loops. Solid.
Cards: Topps 1983, Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991 Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home Sent: 4/10 Received: 4/18 (8 days)
At the time of his retirement from the Dolphins, Nat Moore owned many of the game, season and career receiving records of the franchise. A home grown product out of Miami, Moore played collegiality for the Florida Gators in 1972 and 1973 as a runningback. It was there they discovered Moore’s dependable hands and smooth route running. He managed 1566 total yards from scrimmage on 254 touches to go along with 16 touchdowns.
A 3rd round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1974, Nat played for the franchise for the next 13 seasons. Nat played during the heyday of the dead ball era. While he did not ever clock a 1,000 yard season over his career, he was consistently ranked near the top of the league leaders for most of his career. He earned 1 Pro Bowl and All Pro nomination in 1977, when he led the NFL in TD catches with 12 (52 receptions for 765 yards).
In 1986, Nat earned the Byron Whizzer White Award for his humanitarian work, and continues to receive recognition for his efforts during his playing career. He was inducted into the Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor in 1999, and in 2006 was named one of the 100 Greatest (FL) Gators. Nat also has a trophy named after him given to the best High School Football player in Southern Florida. As of 2020, he’s an alumni executive for the Miami Dolphins.
Nat is well known as the player in the highlight reel who goes up and over for a catch, and as he is hit simultaneously by two players, he helicopters in the air before he hits the ground, still in possession of the football.
Joe Ferguson was the QB for the Bills who owned nearly all the franchise record books before Jim Kelly shattered them over the next 10 years.
A Southwest Conference Alum with the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1970 to 1972, Joe competed 327 of 611 passes for 4431 yards to 24 TDs and 32 interceptions- shattering many of the passing records at the school, and earned the Liberty Bowl MVP award in 1971. He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. The team pressed him into service immediately, where he posted 3 winning seasons in a row. Ferguson played ball during the dead ball era. Regardless he led the league in a variety of categories including TDs (25, 1975), attempts (1977, 457), yards (1977, 2803), and interceptions (1977, 24. 1982, 16). In 1976 he started 7 games and threw 9 touchdowns to just 1 interception for a 90 QB rating.
With the arrival of Jim Kelly in 1985, Joe began the journeyman phase of his career. He’d play 2 seasons for the Lions as a backup, starting 5 games and posting a 2-3 record. Afterwards he’d play 3 more non-descript seasons for the Bucs (1988-1989) and the Indianapolis Colts (1990).
Joe went into coaching after his playing career wrapped up and saw stints at Louisiana Tech and Arkansas.
Perhaps most intriguing was when he joined the CFL and was the QB coach for the San Antonio Goldminers in 1995. After an injury befell starting QB David Archer, head coach Kay Stephenson needed somebody who was familiar with his offensive system. Enter backup Joe Ferguson for one final season. An ironman of football, Joe started at one point 103 consecutive games, and played 16 seasons.
Joe has also been inducted into numerous Arkansas Sports Hall of Fames, All-Century Teams, and All-Decade Teams. He also has a spot in the Bills Ring of Honor.
I loved these Legends cards made by Pro Set in 1991. I had never gotten this one when I pulled packs as a kid so I was doubly surprised when I originally saw this Corning masterpiece. Joe is a great signer, so I had been kicking the can down the road the past few years before I decided to pull the trigger on this one, and he responded in no time flat.
G/Gs
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
186/171
4519
2369
29817
52.4
196
209
68.4
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
