CARDS: Fleer 1991, Pro Set 1990, Fleer 1990 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: 4/12 RECEIVED: 4/22 (10 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Gregg Rakoczy was a versatile OL that was a 2nd round pick out of Miami (FL), by the Cleveland Browns in 1987.
2 year starter at center, returned to guard after the return of longtime stalwart OL Mike Baab 1990.
Ironically signed with the Patriots in 1991, essentially replacing Mike Baab at center.
Played for NE through the 1992 season, playing in 81 games, starting 48.
ACCOLADES:
All-Rookie Team 1987
NOTES:
Gregg’s 1990 Fleer is just an excellent in the dirt shot. He has a great autograph for a big man, and while I find his Fleer 1991 card to be absolutely abysmal, it’s not a bad addition to my collection. His Fleer 1990 has an uncorrected error, with the blurb on the back referring to him as ‘Greg’. Only had 7 cards, but two of them (Pacific 1991 as well) made this mistake.
Rufus Porter was a big, rangy LB that played college ball at Southern.
Going undrafted in 1988, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and was a surprising diamond in the rough found by the franchise.
Recorded 16 special teams tackles, and saw time as a defensive end and nickle situations later in the season.
Recorded 10.5 sacks, and led Seattle with 4 forced fumbles in ’89.
Had another 10 sack appearance in ’91, and a 9.5 effort in ’92.
After two consecutive down seasons with the Seahawks, Rufus took his game to New Orleans in ’96.
Earned a gameball for his play against the Colts that season.
Played one final season in Tampa in 1997.
ACCOLADES:
1988, ’89 Pro Bowl
Steve Largent Award 1991
Fleer 1990, #272
NOTES:
Rufus was blessed to come onto the NFL scene and get in on nearly all the big sets from the Big Bang of cards during the late 80s and early 90s. As he was on all my set needs, I got him on two cards back in 2021 and then realized he was in every other set. I didn’t want to put him on blast so soon after he started signing so I waited 2 years to ask for his autograph on these remaining set needs.
Oddly Rufus appears in the Action Packed series 3 times, almost scoring a trifecta at #256 in every set- only to appear as #257 in 1992.
It can not be emphasized how awesome many of these cards are. The neck roll was obligatory for many of the linebackers during this period and the Action Packed 1990 and the Skybox Impact ’92 really show it off. If you wanted to be an intimidator, a neck roll was a first good step.
Porter appears in all Tecmo Super Bowl games. He was affectionately referred to as ‘ROOF!’, By the Kingdome faithful who would yell his name after he made a big play.
I had a set need in Gameday 1992 to knock out, but I also had a curiosity in getting the Action Packed 1992 dual card signed by him and Jeff Gossett. After I got Jaeger, I got Gossett shortly after on the card. Great dual auto card.
Action Packed 1992, #128
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
