Football Daily Card Tribune
Read and learn about the history of the gridiron, through cards. Remember... you heard it here first!
PASSING CHAMPION SETS NEW STANDARD
The sure-handed pass receiver was well on his way to stardom last year when an injury put him on the sidelines. Fred is fast and has deceptive moves as he averaged 16 yards per completion last season.
A new era dawned in New England in 2024. And with it, Gonzalez will have the chance to build on the short-but- impressive show he put in on 2023. The Patriots' skilled CB looked like anything but a rookie over his six games, covering opposing WR1s and earning September's Defensive Rookie of the Month honor.
Known as one of the great leapers among NFL receivers, Larry executed his greatest jump - 628 feet in the summer of 2007. Fortunately, he was attached to a bungee cord when he leapt off the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand. With 100-catch/1,400-yard/10-TD performances in two of the last three seasons, he's vaulted into the top echelon of his position.
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Mike is one of the NFL's top centers. He is offensive co-captain with Mike Ditka. Mike has been starring in the center slot since his high school days.
FOOTBALL TRIVIA
Q: Who is this player? He is a Steelers fullback.
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Q: The English call their game "football" but we know it as?
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Drafted from the Minnesota Vikings organization in 1967, Mike worked hard and fought his way into the Saints' starting defensive unit last season. He stands 6'6" and is extremely effective at rushing the quarterback. His continued fine play has vastly improved the New Orleans' front four.
Mike was a two letter man at Montana
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
After a disasterous 2-10-2 record, the Giants, with 20 new men on their roster, bounced back to a respectable 7 and 7 in '65. They were in the race for a second place, and a spot in the Playoff Bowl, until the last day of the season.
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VINTAGE SPOTLIGHT
Terry played eight games and started five in his rookie year with the Steelers and made an auspicious pro football debut when he pitched for two touchdowns and 132-yards in the fourth quarter of a game against the Browns, 10-18-69. Terry led the Steelers in touchdown passes that year and his most impressive performance occurred when he tossed three touchdown passes against the Packers, November 2nd. A two-time All-America selection at Notre Dame, he put together one of the finest seasons any Notre Dame signal caller ever had in his sophomore year. He didn't let up in his junior or senior years and midway through his final season broke George Gipp's all-time total yardage mark. Terry gained 4738 yards at Notre Dame, set seven career and six single game records, threw 27-TD passes and scored 16 others.
Terry spent the off-seaon in the army.
Bucco Bruce isn't the only flashy freebooter to stun in Tampa Bay's creamsicle color scheme. Mayfield, the swashbuckling signal-caller, gives the iconic logo a run for its money anytime he dons the orange-and-red threads. With No. 6 at the helm, the Buccaneers sailed to their fourth consecutive NFC South crown in 2024.
Set personal highs in rushing yards, receptions and receiving yards in 1992... Led Bengals in rushing, good for 4th in AFC, and receptions...Recorded five 100-yard rushing games... Ran for 190 yards against Patriots (12/20).
Still recognized as one of the most agile pursuers of rival passers, Alex is a master in the technique of using his hands and arms to fight his way past would-be blockers into enemy backfields. Picked as an All-Pro four times, his brother Lou is a former tackle with Washington and his brother Ted is a former offensive guard with four NFL clubs. Another brother also played Big Ten football.
Alex was once a pro wrestler.
RETRO CORNER
One of the top field goal kickers in football, Sam holds the team record with a 51 yard boot. In '67, he led the Eagles with 81 points scored.
Sam holds Eagles' field goal record with 18 in 1966.
Newton is a student of the game who wants to be an all-time great. He watches film of legends Deion Sanders, Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey along with current stars like Jalen Ramsey. What he picks up from their tape has shaped a pristine technique that has allowed him to capitalize on his physical gifts.
Jim can pull out of the line to lead interference or hold his ground to protect the passer. A standout in college, he has plenty of stamina and eats up the rock 'em, sock 'em play of the N.F.L.
One of two players drafted by the Chiefs in the second round of the 1967 college draft, (the other being Jim Lynch), Willie won seven letters at Morgan State, four in football and three in track. He was captain of the Morgan State team in 1965 and 1966 and was selected as a Small College All-American the same two years. Willie picked off a pass against the Chargers in 1968 and returned it 75-yards for a touchdown, the longest interception of that season for the Chiefs. Nicknamed "Contact" by his teammates for his ferocious style of tackling, Willie intercepted a key pass in the fourth quarter of the 1970 Super Bowl game against the Vikings and Joe Kapp at the Kansas City 34-yard line to halt a drive.
Willie's hobby is listening to music.
MODERN ERA
Reggie had one of the best workouts of any player at the Scouting Combine as he ran the 40 in 4.47, displayed a 33-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot broad jump. With those stats, he will fit in perfect ly as a speed pass rusher and cover man for the Lions' aggressive defense. Extremely active, Reggie also excels against the run.
Roland was the 49ers' 2nd draft choice in '61. He played defensive end that year, moving to offensive tackle in '62 and to 1st string right tackle in '63.
He's big, strong and perfect for the tight end position. Willie is a fine blocker & excellent receiver. Led the Chargers with 57 receptions in 1967.
Willie holds the AFL record with 10 TDs. in 1 season.
The Bills were severely jolted last year when their all-star tackle was injured. However, Stew's knee is completely healed and he is ready to resume his duties in '66. Was originally a linebacker.
Quick reflexes and good balance enable this young man to excel at his position. Ron led the Boston club in pass interceptions last season. He grabbed off a total of four and batted down several dozen more enemy tosses.
Ron was chosen All-Conference at Missouri Valley.
Thomas is known by Cowboys' fans as much for his enthusiasm and zeal as for his budding potential. He has made his mark with outstanding performances on specialty teams and in special defenses. Thomas was a 2-time Little All-America pick while at Langston. A fine broken-field runner.
Thomas has served as a judge for several beauty pageants.
CLASSIC vs. MODERN
CLASSIC ERA
Exceptionally agile and as strong as a bull, Jon is a coach's dream. He is an excellent blocker and frequently opens big holes for the fleet backs to pop through. In only his third season as a pro, Jon is a polished player.
Jon was an All-East center as a rookie.
MODERN ERA
Lawrence already serves as a red-brick wall in the middle of the Giants defense. Against Minnesota in Week 1 of 2024, he looked the part in the team's "Century Red" uniform. Donning the 100th anniversary jersey, the overpowering defensive tackle recorded the first of his nine sacks on the season.
For the fourth straight year, Larry was named all-League outside linebacker. He has showed-up the skeptics by overcoming his lack of bulk with agressiveness, agility, and fast reflexes. Larry's top thrill in pro ball was intercepting a pass and running it back for a touchdown in the 1963 A.F.L. All-Star Game.
Larry has played in three American Football League All-Star games.