Cards: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991, Topps Stadium Club 1992, Fleer 1990 Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home Sent: 3/8 Received: 4/2 (25 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Mike Kenn was a highly regarded lineman who played at Michigan from 1975-1977.
He was the Atlanta Falcons #1 pick in 1978, and was almost immediately slotted in at tackle.
He improved his overall strength and technique over the next few seasons.
By 1979, he went without penalty for the entire season, and earned numerous accolades.
Amazingly, Kenn went 26 in a row eventually without penalty.
Started 94 games in a row (including playoffs) before tearing up his knee in 1985.
Kenn retired after the 1994 season.
Over his career Mike was a part of an offensive line that set and broke team records for rushing yards and least sacks allowed in a season multiple times.
He played his entire career with the Atlanta Falcons: 17 seasons, 251 games started.
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie team 1978
First team AP 1980, ’83, ’91
Second team AP 1981, ’82
Pro Bowl 1980-’84
Polish Sports Hall of Fame
Byron Whizzer White Man of the Year 1990
Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor
Topps Stadium Club 1992, #157Fleer 1990, #380
NOTES:
Despite Mike’s utterly dominating resume, he’s rarely ever come up for consideration into the Pro Football Hall of Fame- An absolute injustice. It’s perhaps a side effect of playing for some absolutely terrible Falcons teams during long stretches of the 80’s that kept him under the radar, but in actual professional football circles, he’s considered one of the finest to play tackle in league history.
Great cards here. I wanted to get him on his Whizzer White Action Packed and Fleer cards, but the Stadium Club entry here is really well constructed. A simple design, but really good photography with just the right color.
CARDS: Topps Stadium Club 1992, GameDay 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home SENT: 1/2/22 RECEIVED: 1/9/22 (7 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Ethan was the overall #15 pick by the Kansas City Chiefs out of North Carolina in 1985.
He was the first RB off the board.
Had a disastrous rookie campaign, totalling just 331 yards from scrimmage, 4 TDs, and 2 fumbles.
Cut in 1986, saw time on and off the roster of the Raiders through 1989.
Converted to TE in 1990 and quickly maturated at position, posting 404 yards on 33 receptions.
Caught a career high 53 receptions for 650 yards and 5 TDs in 1991.
Played next two years for Raiders, catching 33 and 43 receptions respectively.
Finished out career in 1994 with Redskins, catching 15 passes for 157 yards.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1991
Topps Stadium Club 1992, #274
NOTES:
A not very regular signer, I pounced when I had the opportunity. Unfortunately he only signed 2 of 3 cards, opting out on the Skybox 1992. Still this was one of those rare situations where the Stadium Club card really stood out -so I was happy about that. I collected Stadium Club near the end, not because I wanted to, but because it had the highest production value and pretty high photo quality. I was already onto the ruse that the base set Topps were intentionally low end so that they could charge more for the premium Stadium Club, and this like many sets is partially what led me to not collecting cards for many years after this.
I missed out on getting Ethan during his time with the Raiders when they visited Cowboys training camp back in the day, so I was happy to add him to the collection now on these cards. He was the first calendar to calendar signer of 2022.
CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Topps Stadium Club 1992, Pro Set 1990 ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home SENT: 4/17 RECEIVED: 5/12 (25 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Made the transition in his Senior year in ’88 from TE to OT for Notre Dame.
Earned sweeping accolades in college, and was especially praised for his size (6’7″, 262) and run blocking.
Seahawks first round pick in the 1989 NFL Draft (15th overall).
Started 9 games his rookie season- including 1 at TE.
By 1990, became fixture at left tackle, but in 1992 switched to left guard to accommodate for Ray Roberts, and then again in 1993 to right tackle.
Only player in Seahawks history to start 13+ games at 3 different positions, in 3 straight seasons.
Signed with Bears in 1994, becoming entrenched at left tackle for the next 4 seasons.
Departed Bears for Redskins in 1999, closing out career there after the 2000 season.
Went into coaching, first at the college level, eventually landing with the Jaguars in 2004.
Despite the turmoil on the Jaguars coaching staff- remained with the franchise through 2014.
Joined the Chiefs in 2013, earning a Super Bowl ring in 2019.
ACCOLADES:
2nd team All Pro (Conf.-UPI) 1995
Topps Stadium Club 1992, #134Pro Set 1990, #647
NOTES:
Andy had a lot of cards throughout his career. Oddly he didn’t make the cut with any of my favorite pet sets, but he happened to be in my favorite draft- 1989. His son currently plays OL for the Houston Texans.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
