Ahmad Rashad played college ball with QB Dan Fouts at Oregon from 1968-1971.
Played HB setting multiple records at the school (rushing yards, receptions, and points) -which were all school records.
First round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972 and transitioned to receiver.
Played in 13 games catching 29 passes for 500 yards.
Led the NFL with a 98 yard TD pass- probably the longest catch any rookie has had.
Traded to the Buffalo Bills after the 1973 season, but only played one year there, as he was sidelined with injuries for the entire 1975 campaign.
Traded to the Vikings shortly before the regular season by the Seahawks in 1976, and set new career marks across the board with 53 catches for 671 yards.
Caught 66 passes for 768 yards and 8 TDs in 1978.
Had career high 80 catches for 1156 yards and 9 TDs in 1979.
Continued unlikely run with another 1000 yard campaign in 1980, catching 69 passes for 1095 yards and 5 TDs.
In 1981, put up 58 catches for 884 yards and 7 TD.s
Retired after the 1982 campaign.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1978-81
Second Team AP 1979
Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
50 Greatest Vikings
Minnesota Vikings 25th Anniversary Team
Minnesota Vikings 50th Anniversary Team
College Football Hall of Fame 2007
NOTES:
When I first started watching NBC football during golden era the 80s, Ahmad Rashad had the smoothest delivery behind the desk back at the studio. Initially, I didn’t even know he played football! I felt like he and Bob Costas had extremely similar styles of commentary and announcing that I was very comfortable with. For a while there Rashad was married to Phylicia Ayers-Allen (Rashad)- who is an actress most notably known for being the mom on the Cosby Show.
Rashad is also a huge basketball fan, announcer, desk host, and player. He even got into a preseason game at the age of 40 playing for the Philadelphia 76ers scoring 2 points!
He remains a Vikings and Minnesota legend to this day.
Ray Guy was an incredible athlete that played 3 positions (K, P, SS) for Southern Mississippi from 1970-72.
Over his time at the school he set multiple single game and career records.
Became the first punter to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft (1973).
Right out of the gate, averaged 45.3 yards per punt his rookie season.
From there he led the NFL in punting average in 1974 (42.2) and ’75 (43.8).
Punted a career high 96 times for 4,195 yards in 1981.
Over his career he had a streak of 619 punts without being blocked.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
NFL All 1970s Team
Golden Toe Award
NFL 75th Anniversary Team
NFL 100th Anniversary Team
Pro Bowl 1973-78, ’80
All-Pro 1973-78
Second Team AP 1979-80
NOTES:
Ray was greatly disrespected by not being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame sooner. This was due to the fact that there is a longstanding stigma against special teams players. He was finally elected in 2014… and promptly stopped signing TTM.
I waited to acquire Ray’s autograph until the prices started dropping. Thankfully before the prices spiked again after his passing, I was able to pick his certified up on his Legends card.
EPITAPH:
Ray passed away on November 3rd, 2022 at the age of 72 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
An undersized LB with a great motor, Tom Jackson played college football at Louisville from 1970-72.
He’d be a 4th round pick of the Denver Broncos in 1973 and form a key element of the team’s famed Orange Crush Defense.
Extremely durable, Tom played from 1973-1986 for the Broncos, appearing in two Super Bowls for the team, and 191 games.
In 1976, he had an incredible 7 interceptions, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles from his OLB spot.
After his playing days ended, Jackson seamlessly transitioned to the studio where he worked alongside Chris Berman for ESPN- a role he held for 29 years.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1977-79
Louisville Cardinals Ring of Honor
Second Team All-Pro 1978-79
All Pro 1977
Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary Team
Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016
NOTES:
Tom Jackson was not really known as a prolific signer so when he popped I made my move instead of paying inflated prices in the secondary EBay market. Tom Jackson was such a great LB, I thought he was a S. I loved watching him on ESPN Primetime and Countdown. He didn’t really give any love to the Oilers outside of Ernest Givins– “From Louiville!” – Tom’s signature line in the studio.
TAC
SAC
FUM
INT
YDS
AVG
TD
LG
N/a
40.0
8
20
340
17.0
3
73
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
