I had to loop back to Joe since I had this nice Pro Set 91 card, but also because he was one of the more successful members of the Birmingham Fire (post World League). He wrote me a nice note, thanked me for being a fan all these years, and that those were indeed good times.
CARDS: Gameday 1992, Pacific 1991 ACQUIRED: TTM 2023, C/o Home SENT: RECEIVED: 9/16/23 FAILURE: TTM 2023, C/o Home
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played college football for Maryland but was not selected in the 1981 NFL Draft.
He’d join the Seahawks as a free agent, primarily used on special teams and as a blocking TE.
Over the next 8 seasons, became a seldom used fan favorite.
After a one year stint in Washington (’89), returned to Seattle for the next two years.
Played for the Vikings in 1992-’93, and a final season in ’95.
Moved into coaching almost immediately as a positional coach for the Vikings in ’96.
Named the Vikings’ interim head coach in 2001.
Officially retained as head coach in 2002 and remained head coach through the 2006 season.
Team reached the pinnacle of offensive production setting modern NFL records for total yards in 2003, after leading the NFL in offensive yards in 2002.
Wasn’t retained following the 2005 season.
Has served a variety of assistant coach and positional coaching jobs with the Jaguars (2006-09), Bears (2010-12), Falcons (2014), and Raiders (2015-17).
Pacific 1991, #488
NOTES:
I thought Mike might make a good fit for the XFL, but he seems content to stay semi-retired. I needed Mike for the Gameday 1992 set, but I figured I might as well toss in the Pacific card, since it was from his Seattle days. A good signer TTM, he had moved and my cards were RTS but I got the golden forwarding address.
Mike must have a great personality as he seemed beloved in both Seattle and Minnesota.
Played WR for the University of Utah from 1993-’97.
Caught 192 passes for 2,726 yards and 18 touchdowns.
First round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 1998.
Caught 21 passes for 263 yards and 2 TDs his rookie season.
Had a career high 54 catches in 1999.
Caught the lateral from Frank Wycheck in the Music City Miracle.
Then was stopped one yard short of the goal line in the closing moments of Super Bowl XXIV.
After an injury in 2000 limited him to two games, returned to form in 2001 and tied his career high with 54 receptions, along with 825 yards and 7 TDs.
Joined the Panthers in 2003, but spent most of the season on IR.
Spent the off season with the Chargers (’04) and Redskins (’05).
Went back to school, obtaining his doctorate, spending time in coaching, and education.
SP 2001, #85
NOTES:
Every once in a while I’m just surprised by an older card set I’ve discovered. Case in point- SP 2001. Simple, elegant, lots of space to work with.. it’s just great design, and the landscape format helps make autographs pop and look more cinematic.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
