Tag Archives: topps 1983

NFL

Bingham, Gregg ‘Devil’

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Cards:  Topps 1983, Topps, 1978, Topps 1979
Acquired: 2016, C/o Home
Failure: TTM 2012, C/o Home

Little known fact about Gregg Bingham is that he is the Houston Oilers career leading tackler with nearly 2,000 tackles. Surrounded by talent like Elvin Bethea, Robert Brazile and Curley Culp, during the Luv Ya’ Blue era of the 70s- it was easy for Bingham to be overlooked in the star studded defensive lineup, even if he led the league 11 straight seasons. Also tackles were an unofficial statistic for the league until the late 80s/ early 90s.

After toiling away his rookie season in a 4-3 at MLB in 1973, and earning all-rookie honors, Gregg slid over to LILB, as the Oilers converted to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Bum Phillips. Bingham had earned the nickname ‘Devil’ for his strong motor and style of play, and he punished ball carriers on every tackle.  Bum Phillips was once quoted as saying that, “You’d have to cut off his head and hide it, in order to keep Bingham off the field.” He’d start the next 5 seasons for the team, recording 10 interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries, returning one 34 yards for a TD.  Gregg was also counted on by the team for special teams as well.  The following season he switched to RILB, playing the position for the majority of the rest of his career. Considerably durable, Bingham would have challenged Bethea’s consecutive games started record if not for a hip injury suffered in 1982 at 135. He topped the 200 tackle mark 4 times and led the league in tackles consistently over his career.

to78 gbinghamAn interesting character, Gregg made every penny count, investing into a series of coin operated car washes and oil changes around the Houston area. He even had the business foresight to have an assistant sort the change that came out of the machines for valuable coins.

Years later in 2008, Bingham’s heir at linebacker, John Grimsely committed suicide. It was later linked to CTE- caused by concussions. Gregg became a concussion flashpoint himself in 2009 when he was working in one of his car washes, and blacked out. When he next woke up, Bingham was in the hospital and learned he had been in a coma for the past 3 weeks, due to a swollen brain. It took him well over a year to rehab, but Gregg connected the dots to his time in the NFL and concussions, -something that at the time was to be ‘shaken off’.  He later rejected an NFL concussion settlement, because it would have not covered his expenses.

He continues to live in the Houston area, and after failing on a request back in… 2012- he kindly signed two cards for me and tossed in a third.

G/Gs   173/173       TAC   1,985         SAC    n/a        FUM   14
INT  21     YDS   279     AVG 13.3       TD   0         LG  54

NFL

Brazile, Robert “Dr. Doom” (2)

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Cards: Topps 1976, Topps 1981
Acquired: In Person 5/19,  Houston 610 Fan Fest 2013
See Also: Robert Brazile “Dr Doom”

Robert Brazile is another guy who was clearly ahead of his time and warrants merit into the Hall of Fame. Brazile was the forerunner to such guys that terrorized the scene of the 80’s, like Andre Tippett. He embodied everything that a 3-4 linebacker could do, playing the pass, run, and rushing the quarterback with frightening efficiency. He’d set the NFL on fire his rookie season, earning Defensive RotY honors in 1975. A cornerstone of the Oilers defensive front, Brazile was relied heavily upon by the team to put pressure up front during the Luv Ya Blu’ heyday of the franchise. He played 10 seasons for the team, contemplating retirement, but ultimately decided to do so after the sudden passing of his wife in 1984.

Brazile had probably the longest of all the lines at Fan Fest in 2013. I am sure that surprised him that so many people remembered him, and I’m sure he enjoyed that immensely. He loved it when I called him Dr. Doom, but he also told me that he hasn’t played tennis in a few years when I asked him about it. A bit disappointing, but I could find no card of Robert with him in an action pose. Every Topps card printed during this period was either a profile shot, him standing on the sidelines or sitting on the bench.


NFL

Hill, Kent

Cards: Topps 1983, Topps 1988
Acquired:  TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 11/8  Received: 11/17  (9 days)

Kent Hill was a member of some solid offensive lines during his career. Perhaps best remembered as blocking for HoFer Eric Dickerson and seeing the Rams to their lone Super Bowl Appearance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980, Hill spent his final two season blocking for the Houston Oilers alongside Bruce Matthews and Mike Munchak for HoFer Warren Moon. Over his career he was named to the ProBowl 5 times (1980, & 1982-1985).

Originally drafted by the Rams with their first round selection out of Georgia Tech in 1979, Hill would earn the first LA Rams team honor for rookie of the year.  He’d go on over his career to start 114 games over a 132 game slate before being traded by the Rams to Houston as part of the mega trade that ushered in the Jim Everett era in Los Angeles.  During his tenure on the Rams Kent was honored to play with Jackie Slater, Doug Smith, and Tom Newberry among others.

I was very surprised to locate Kent through SotL, – little less that there were any cards of him, but I was extremely happy to add him to my collection.  A really nice guy. He wrote on the letter, “Thanks for writing!” A solid through and through lineman that really never got his due, he’s the perfect addition to my Hall of Fame.  Of odd note is the fact that Kent Hill played along side Drew Hill (no relation) at Georgia Tech, were both drafted in the same year by the Rams, and then played together on the Oilers.