1977 Topps 150 (Ron Yary Vikings)

Sunday's Seahawks v. Vikings game was an intense grind!

This past Sunday was the 3rd coldest NFL game (the Vikings were also in the 7th and 8th of the Top 10 coldest NFL games - December 3rd and 10th in 1972). Ron Yary, a Viking for 13 years, was playing at that time. He's got a laundry list of career highlights including election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.


What I Like About this Card: Great commemoration of Ron's 6 All Pro selections (his sixth and final was in 1976).

Fun Facts:  Ron attended Bellflower High School, named their football field Ron Yary Stadium in 2001.

Random Thoughts: The card back feels futuristic almost like it belongs on Star Wars or Star Trek card.

 

1971 Topps 6 (Chuck Allen Steelers)

Now we know the Steelers are in the playoffs.

Chuck Allen was a Steeler in 1971. He played for the Washington Huskies (two Rose Bowl victories). He played in both the AFL (with the Chargers) and in the NFL (Steelers and Eagles). At the end of the 1972 season, he retired and worked as a University of Washington assistant linebacker coach. Then he worked for the Seahawks from 1975 to 1995. There's a good article about Chuck here.

What I Like About this Card: The cartoon on the front.

Fun Facts:  Roberto Clemente was Chuck's upstairs neighbor while he lived in Pittsburgh. Chuck was born in Cle Elum and the high school's football field is named after him.

Random Thoughts: The font on the team name is an an interesting choice.

1972 Topps 56 (Jim O'Brien Colts)

Will the Colts make it to the playoffs this year?

In 1972, the Colts were still basking in the glow of their first Super Bowl win. Jim O'Brien (in his rookie year) kicked the field goal that won Super Bowl V in the final 5 seconds of the game against the Cowboys. The card calls it the 1970 Super Bowl - it was played in January 1971.

What I Like About this Card: The reference to Jim's preference for natural grass on the back of card. Synthetic turf was used for the first time at Super Bowl V.

Fun Facts:  Jim held two positions: Kicker and Wide receiver. He had a short career (3 years with the Colts and one with the Lions). Like many athletes from that era, he had a second career as a project manager in real estate development.

Random Thoughts: If an actor portrayed O'Brien, it'd most likely be Alan Cumming.

Available? Yes

 

1975 Topps Football 61 (Bill Lenkaitis Patriots)

It's 2015 2016 and the Patriots are the AFC's first seed.

Back in 1975 things weren't as rosy. Patriots QB, Jim Plunkett was injured and they finished the season 3-10.

Below is 11-year Patriots veteran, Bill Lenkaitis.

What I Like About this Card: It's got a minimalist design that doesn't feel dated. I also like the football field look on the back. It's a good posted shot of Bill.

Fun Facts:  Bill graduated from dental school, was the Patriots' team dentist and he continued a dental practice after he retired from football (he played for the Patriots from 1971 to 1981).

Random Thoughts: Like on the 1971 cards, Topps felt they should tell you which league the team belonged to.

What This Blog's All About

My New Year's resolution is to start a blog, share card stories and do some good.

I got back into card collecting in 2015 with a focus on 1975 Baseball. Recently I sorted my collection and decided to sell some cards to support future buying.

I've been looking for meaningful ways to give back to others and decided to find a way by connecting collecting with giving.

Every card posted is for trade or sale at reasonable prices. Each sale will have part of the total price donated to a charitable cause. See the listings here.