Jim Marshall played DE for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1957-58.
Generational player who helped Buckeyes win by scoring all 14 points (interception, blocked punt, and kicked 2 xp) in a game against Purdue in 1958.
Left school to play in the CFL for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1959.
In a rare transaction at the time, was swapped from the CFL-NFL trade to the Cleveland Browns, in exchange for Bob Ptacek.
Played the 1960 season with Cleveland, before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings along with a few other players for 2 draft picks.
Went on to play in an improbable 282 games over his 19 season career for the Vikings (starting 270 consecutively)- at the time NFL records.
Member of the famed Purple People Eaters, played in all 4 of the Vikings Super Bowl appearances.
At time of retirement in 1979, had played in every game in Vikings club history.
Finished with 130 sacks- second on the franchise’s record books.
ACCOLADES:
#70 retired- Vikings
Record- Most career fumble recoveries (30)
Record- Most seasons played by a defensive player (20)
Record- Most consecutive games played by a defensive player (289)
Minnesota Vikings 25th Anniversary Team
Minnesota Vikings 40th Anniversary Team
50 Greatest Vikings
Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
Pro Bowl 1968, ’69
Second Team All-Pro 1964, ’68, ’69
NOTES:
Despite Jim’s resume, and being the ultimate iron man, he’s only been considered a finalist for the HoF. I’ve always considered him a HoFer in my book, and found a card that I finally wanted to get signed after I scraped up the small fee. It’s a nice autograph… a bit smudged, but I’ll take it over the crazy prices they wanted online for a certified.
A deep cut find out of East Tennessee State, DB Thane Gash was selected in the 7th round of the ’88 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
After not really seeing the field in his rookie year, Thane slotted in at FS where he quickly developed a reputation as a headhunter with a nose for the endzone.
In 1989, he picked up 3 interceptions (returning 2 for TDs) and led the team in tackles with 134.
Only had 1 pick in 1990, but duplicated his tackle feat, leading the team with another 134 tackles.
During the offseason in 1991, Gash herniated a disc in his neck, and was placed on IR for the entire season.
In 1992, joined the 49ers to replace Ronnie Lott at FS -who had left the previous season for the Raiders.
Gash started 3 games that year, and then retired after the 1993 season
Pacific 1991, #77Action Packed 1990, #36
NOTES:
I had been sitting on Thane’s cards for a while. He has a stack of really good cards combined with set needs that I had wanted. Thankfully he’s a voracious signer (when he does) and he signed all 5 cards I sent to him.
Donald Driver played WR at Alcorn State catching 88 receptions for 1993 yards over his college career.
Late 7th round pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1999 NFL Draft.
Stuck behind Antonio Freeman and Corey Bradford early in his career, but with Bradford’s departure to Houston in 2002, things quickly changed.
He’d start all 16 games in 2002, and go over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career on 70 catches.
After a down year in 2003, Driver went on a very improbable run, going over 1.2K yards the next 3 seasons, and over 1K yards the following 3 seasons after that.
In 2009, Donald became the Packers all-time leading receiver, finishing eventually with 743 catches when he retired following the 2012 season.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 2002, 2006-08, 2010.
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
NOTES:
I really wanted Donald’s autograph, but after missing out on him back in 2015, I didn’t really expect to get another shot, so I never reloaded. When he started signing, about the same time of year as he did back in 2015, I just grabbed what I could and sent it out as soon as I could with a small donation to grease the wheels.
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
743
10137
13.6
61
85t
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
