CARDS: ProSet 1989, Topps Stadium Club 1992, Topps 1992 ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 2/7 RECEIVED: 3/7 (28 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Bruce Kozerski played C at Holy Cross.
Selected in the 9th round by the Cincinnati Bengals (1984 NFL Draft).
Played all over the line during his career, and as a bonus was the team’s long snapper on placekicks.
Stared at RG in ’86, eventually settling in a C by ’88 helping anchor one of the league’s leading offenses.
During the ’91 season, was pushed around the line due to injuries playing all 3 positions on the line.
Retired after the 1995 season, after 172 games, and 138 starts.
Coached at the HS level for sometime, leading his team to a 2A State Championship in 2011.
Pro Set 1989, #519Topps Statdium Club 1992, #253
NOTES:
Bruce was extremely underrated and underappreciated during his tenure playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. He had some great cards over his career, including this Pro Set card, but for once, Topps NAILED it with their 1992 card. Just a great and inspiring shot of Bruce.
Finished second all-time in total all purpose yards (3,834) and rushing (3232) in Georgia history, behind only Herschel Walker.
Set SEC records for points, TDs, rushing TDs, and per carry average.
Cardinals traded Johnny Johnson and their first round pick to the Jets, moving up to select Hearst with the 3rd overall pick of the 1993 NFL Draft.
Ran for 257 yards and a TD, but a knee injury sidelined him for a majority of the season.
Had a 57 yard carry- the longest by a Cardinal since Stump Mitchell in 1985.
Another knee injury marred Hearst’s season early in 1994, as he finished strong rushing for 169 yards over the final 4 contests.
Topped the 100 yard barrier for first time in career in 1995, rushing for 121 yards against the Saints.
Broke the 1k barrier that year rushing for 1070 yards, and catching 29 passes, the best by a Card since 1982.
Released by the Cardinals and signed with Bengals in 1996.
Played one season with Bengals, initially as a backup, but pounded the rock for 847 yards.
Signed with 49ers in 1997 and rejuvenated SF’s rushing game.
Ran for 1019 yards on 236 carries (4 TDs) in ’97.
Had an even better ’98, running for a career high 1570 yards.
In Week 1 against the New York Jets in OT, had one of the greatest runs in NFL history, rushing for a 96 yard TD.
Broke his ankle during the 1998 playoffs- an injury that would keep him out of the league for two seasons.
Amazingly returned to form again in 2001, despite facing a career threatening injury, rushing for over 1,200 yards.
Played for the ‘9ers an additional two seasons, before playing a final year in 2004 with the Broncos.
ACCOALADES:
Doak Walker Award 1992
Second Team AP 1998
Pro Bowl 1998, ’01
NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2001
Florida-Georgia HoF
College Football Hall of Fame 2023
NOTES:
During this time of my life I was still going to training camps, but I started ratcheting down my card purchases. Whether it was cost, an over saturated market, or just discovering girls- this card came from one of those last packs I bought before I went into a long hibernation. When I came back to the hobby and went through all those boxes this card immediately went into the ‘priority box’. And 12 years later from that, I finally got Garrison’s autograph. Strange how accomplished it feels.
A few set needs popped up of the Albino Rhino and I figured I’d shoot these out after last getting his autograph a bit over 10 years ago. I remember fondly riding in the car away from Capital Plaza in North Austin, with my Karl Mecklenburg Starting Lineup figurine. Side note- for some reason ‘Albino Rhino’ triggered a massive traffic spike on this website a few years ago.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
