Leo Lewis was an offensive weapon in college at Missouri, seeing time rushing receiving and punt returning.
Played for the Tigers from 1975-’78.
Over college career amassed 82 receptions for 1043 yards and 9 TDs, 17 carries for 104 yards and 2 TDs, and returned 51 punts for 468 yards.
Undrafted he played in Canada for a season splitting time with the Calgary Stampeders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1980.
Signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 1981.
Had most successful season in 1984, catching 47 passes for 834 yards and 4 TDs for the Vikings.
Doubled as the team’s primary punt returner in 1988 and ’89.
Led league with 58 returns (550 yards) in ’88, and had another 44 in ’89.
Split the 1990 campaign with the Browns and Vikings.
Retired after the 1991 season and 11 seasons with the Vikings.
Caught 182 passes for 2924 yards and 16 TDs while returning 49 punts for 1868 yards and a TD.
Vikings Director of Player Development from 1992-’05
Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development at the University of Minnesota from 2005-’14.
NOTES:
Leo appeared early on in the Topps sets before the big boom of cards. I was surprised that he didn’t appear in Pro Set or Fleer for that matter near the tail end of his career, so I was happy to see that there was a Score 1990 floating around of him. He has a great autograph and I was a bit disappointed he wasn’t my first return of 2026.
Leo appeared in the classic Nintendo game Tecmo Bowl as a member of the Minnesota Monsters franchise and is a fantastic punt and kick returner.
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.
There he had over 100 tackles in 3 straight years, including 129 as a senior.
A sneaky 10th round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989.
Saw playing time both on special teams and at ILB.
Totaled 41 total tackles, a sack, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble in his rookie campaign.
A key backup, he played sparingly over the next few seasons.
Lost a good portion of his 1993 and all of his 1994 seasons to a knee injury.
Returned again to a key role as a special teamer and backup linebacker.
Signed with the Bengals in 1998 and finished the regular season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Entered the college coaching ranks in 2003 working with Youngstown State.
In 2010, Jerry became a defensive assistant with the Steelers.
Then was moved to the inside linebackers coaching position with the team in 2015.
In 2023, joined Duquense as a defensive assistant.
ACCOLADES:
All Rookie Team 1989
NOTES:
Jerry only had 4 cards or so, but made out pretty good with these two. Topps always had a deep cut or two and Jerry qualifies as such in one of these rare action shots.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
