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
John came to the Steelers in '63 from Philadelphia but was forced to sit out most of that season with pneumonia. He recovered enough to be named the team's defensive captain in '65. He reads plays and rushes well.
The 1960s and '70s produced Dick Butkus. Mike Singletary dominated the '80s. And Urlacher was the legendary Bears linebacker for the 21st century. He upheld the tradition of elite heavy hitters patrolling Soldier Field throughout his career before joining his predecessors in Canton in 2018.
Jack is the unofficial captain of the Lions' defending halfbacks, as his standing as top man in interceptions last year will attest. Jack, who was a track star when he attended Colorado A&M, is one of the fastest men in the league.
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Getting to Ward in a hurry is the best way for an opponent to prevent him from shredding a secondary. Otherwise the shifty signal-caller will dance in the pocket and avoid sacks. Keeping himself upright, he then locates an open receiver and unleashes a picture-perfect strike.
FOOTBALL TRIVIA
Q: Who kicked the most extra points in 1963?
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Q: Who led the Patriots in interceptions in 1966?
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Nick enjoyed his second fine season with the Dolphins in 1970 as he was voted the club's Best Defensive Back after making 96 tackles and assisting on 49 others for a total of 145 hits during the regular 14-game schedule. He had a great first year at Miami in 1969. He was chosen All-League and picked as the Dolphins' MVP. He led the team in tackles with 79 and added 35 assists, called the defensive signals and was the defensive captain. Twice voted MVP at Boston, Nick was the Patriots' all-time leader in interceptions and tackles in his 7 years there.
Nick was an assistant D.A. in Massachusetts.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
5.8 yards
Asked why he said the Jets got the best running class at the 2022 draft, Hall came up with the best answer. "Because I am the best running back in this class," he said. Enough said. An exciting three-down player, he made multiple catches five times in seven games and looked top-class averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
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VINTAGE SPOTLIGHT
Charley and Del Shofner played football together from grade school through college and were picked up by L. A. Charley was traded to the Steelers in 1961.
Jordan became the 38th player in NFL history to top 100 sacks during New Orleans' 9-0 win over Tampa Bay in Week 9 of 2021. "I probably had a third or maybe half as a goal," he said. "It was, if I could carve myself out a solid career of seven to 10 years, 40 to 50 sacks, a couple of Pro Bowls, I think that would have been a phenomenal feat."
Dallas won the Eastern Title, but lost the NFL Crown 34 to 27. They racked up the most points, 445, with 29 TDs rushing, 56 TDs in all, 56 XPS and 1 safety. They also kicked 17 FGs in 31 tries. They gained 3331 yards passing, too.
ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS. Waving hand behind back. Intentional Grounding of Pass - Same as above followed by raised hand flung downward.
They call him "Super Duper". Mark led Dolphins in Receiving Yardage and Touchdown Catches in 1983. He gained All-Pro recognition and a trip to the Pro Bowl Game at Honolulu, 1-29-84. Mark was a world-class sprinter in college.
Mark's major in college was law enforcement.
RETRO CORNER
Despite several knee operations, Joe paced the AFL last season in pass completions, total yards gained and average yards gained per completion.
Joe was the AFL Rookie of the Year in 1965.
A sideline-to-sideline force, Simmons uses his off-the-charts speed to track down ball-carriers all over the field. He used those wheels to track down Dak Prescott and force a fumble in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys in Week 17 of 2021, helping Arizona come out of Dallas with a 25-22 triumph.
With only one year's college football experience, gained at little Langston University, Maurice Bassett came to the Browns last season, overcame a training camp injury to take over as the No. 1 fullback. No. 1 ground gainer for the Browns last season and No. 5 in the N.F.L. Important figure in giving pass protection for Otto Graham.
Billed as "The World's Fastest Human," Bob led the Cowboys with 10 touchdowns on pass receptions in 1968. The speedster is sensational on punt returns. Last year, he topped the NFL with 20.8 yards per carry.
Bob won the 100 meters race in the 1964 Olympics.
MODERN ERA
Warren made the leap from undrafted free agent to starter before the end of his second season thanks to his great hands and physical blocking. "He has the ability to time up his strike with his hips and his feet, and that is hard to find. He is special in that regard," running backs coach Eddie Faulkner told The Athletic.
Billy was originally a halfback. In 1961, with Houston, he led the A.F.L. in rushing. This tight end is fast and has a pair of steady hands.
Fran was traded to the Vikings at the end of 1971 after being NFC's 8th leading passer last year. His longest play from scrimmage was an 81-yd. touchdown pass to Rich Houston.
Fran plays in the Masters Golf Tournament each Spring.
80s-90s ERA
"Being on a team, whether it was football, basketball, or baseball, was always gratifying and educational for me. I was always impressed with coaches who stressed team goals. Getting to the championship and winning is what it's all about. Those moments of glory I share with my teammates are more memorable than any personal goals I have achieved. I still value team spirit and dedication, and I incorporate those values into my everyday life."
Big Rick is one of the most destructive line-busting fullbacks in the game. He was second in yards gained last season and carried the ball the most times. The pile-driving dynamo was the previous year's leading ground-gainer.
This strong linebacker comes to the Bengals after 5 seasons at San Diego. Frank played in the 1964 and 1965 All-Star contests. He's big & strong.
Frank was the top defensive player in the '65 All-Star game.
Ted has 3 safeties during career.
Raiders' Roger Bird returned 9 punts in game vs. Broncos 9-10-67.
CLASSIC vs. MODERN
CLASSIC ERA
Larry was pro football's leading rusher last season and he was named to virtually every NFL All-Star team for his superb showing. Had a 75-yard run for a touchdown which ranks as his longest gainer of his pro career. Larry became one of the brightest rookies in the NFL in 1969 and just missed winning the Rookie of the Year honors, finishing second to Calvin Hill of the Cowboys. Last season he became the first Redskin runner in the club's history to rush for over 1000 yards and broke the all-time Washington record of 951 yards in a season set by Rob Goode in 1951. Larry is also outstanding as a pass receiver as he caught 34 passes for 302 yards in 1969 for an 8.9 average and 37 passes for 341-yards in 1970 for a 9.2 average.
Larry led Wildcat ball carriers in both his years at Kansas State.
MODERN ERA
Adrian Peterson, who has supporters himself as the game's finest player, has tweeted that Percy is "the best all around player I have ever seen or you'll ever see" His appraisal is a product of his former teammate's numerous Vikings records for receiving, kick returning and rushing. Harvin was traded to Seattle and received a contract extension in March.
Pro football's most outstanding pass receiver, Lance once again led AFL in 1969. Holds all-time mark with receptions in 96 consecutive games going into 1970. Lance is only player in pro history to gain more than 1,000 yards in 7 consecutive seasons ('63-69). He combines speed, elusiveness & tremendous leaping ability with a great love for football.
Lance has business interests in a San Diego hotel.