Lyle Alzado’s 1981 card: “Lyle is a former Golden Gloves boxer. Lyle joined the Browns for the 1979 season and immediately took charge of the defensive right end position. He played a large role in Cleveland’s 4-0 surge at the start of the campaign with several key tackles and quarterback sacks. Lyle was voted as NFL’s Man of the Year in 1977.”
Lawrence Johnson "was MVP on Wisconsin Track Team in 1976 and 1977, winning 7 Big-10 sprint titles," says his 1983 card. The Browns' second-round pick of 1979, "he has been starting cornerback for club since 1980 campaign."
A native of San Diego who was the Browns' 13th-round draft choice out of San Diego State in 1972, Brian Sipe "continues to rehabilitate an old home he bought" in Encinitas, Calif., says his 1981 card.
Mike Phipps was Cleveland's first-round draft choice out of Purdue in 1970. "After 2 years of mostly watching from the bench, Mike took over Browns' starting quarterback assignment, 9-24-72, and led club to 27-17 victory vs. Eagles," says Phipps's 1975 card. "He guided Browns to 6 consecutive triumphs in 1972."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Inside Pro Football
I've been reading Inside Pro Football, which, though published by Grosset & Dunlap in 1970, was actually written in 1968. Hal Higdon, who is amazing, did simple interviews with various pro-football stars about how they do the various tasks their positions entail.
For example, in the interview with John Mackey, the great Colts tight end says, "John Unitas stayed out many a night with me teaching me different things about running pass patterns, how to play different defensive halfbacks, even releasing in for the 'pop' pass across the middle. You pop the linebacker, give an outside fake, then cut for the middle. This gives John more time to drop back than if you released immediately. John can't throw backing up. Little things like that pay off in the long run. He and Raymond Berry were a tremendous help to me--and still are." (This appears on Page 47.)
Also, Daryle Lamonica spends a good bit of time praising the guy he replaced as quarterback of the Raiders, Cotton Davidson. Davidson was Lamonica's roommate after the latter arrived in a trade with Buffalo. Davidson had been Oakland's starter for six years but still talked Lamonica through a host of intricacies that Lamonica says helped him eventually excel (and take Davidson's job). Also, Lamonica tells Higdon that the Raiders coach, John Rauch, introduced him to punching a boxer's speed bag as an effective exercise for improving hand-eye coordination.
But one of the most interesting aspects of the book to me is the little comments that Higdon drops into each interview opening about the occasion of his meeting with the player. Here's where each of the interviews took place:
-- Roman Gabriel, in a Los Angeles Coliseum dressing room on the day before the Jan. 21, 1968, NFL Pro Bowl;
-- Unitas, in his hotel room in Los Angeles while Unitas packed to return home from the Pro Bowl;
-- Lamonica, several days after the Oakland-Green Bay Super Bowl, though the initial conversation took place following a press conference at a motel in Boca Raton, Fla., where the Raiders were staying before the Super Bowl;
-- Bernie Casey, over dinner at Casey's home in Los Angeles, where he was traded after refusing a trade from the 49ers to the Falcons because Casey didn't feel Atlanta would be conducive to his art career;
-- Charley Taylor, after practice for the Pro Bowl;
-- Don Maynard, in the coffee shop of the Thunderbird Motel in Jacksonville, Fla., before the AFL All-Star Game;
-- Jackie Smith, "one Saturday morning before practice in the red-carpeted clubhouse of Busch Stadium" (Page 41);
-- Mackey, over lunch before the Pro Bowl;
-- Gale Sayers, in the brokerage offices of Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis, Sayers's offseason employer;
-- Jim Grabowski, in the player's Green Bay apartment;
-- Mick Tingelhoff, on a December Saturday in Chicago when the Vikings were in town to play the Bears;
-- Howard Mudd, at the Dupont Plaza Hotel in Washington;
-- Bob Brown, in the player's room on the ninth floor of Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia after a knee surgery;
-- Ron Mix, after an AFL All-Star Game practice;
-- Buck Buchanan, at a restaurant about a mile from the Chiefs' practice field, with Buchanan wearing a dark pin-striped suit and eating pig's knuckles an hour after a Kansas City practice;
-- Bob Lilly, in front of a fire in the fireplace of the family room of the player's house in suburban Dallas, with Lilly's wife cooking dinner and his kids watching TV;
-- Ordell Braase, Maxie Baughan and Willie Davis, in Los Angeles before the Pro Bowl;
-- Andy Russell, in the lobby of Green Bay's Northland Hotel the day before a Steelers-Packers game, with the player wereing gray trousers and striped tie;
-- Nick Buoniconti, one afternoon following a Boston Patriots practice;
-- Tommy Nobis, over breakfast in Los Angeles before the Pro Bowl;
-- Herb Adderley, a Saturday morning after practice in Green Bay before the Packers' last regular-season game in 1967;
-- Mel Renfro, at noon on a Tuesday, riding in Renfro's car from the team's headquarters to its practice field;
-- Larry Wilson, on a rainy day at Wilson's house in suburban St. Louis;
-- Jim Bakken, in the Cardinals' clubhouse after practice one evening, with the kicker wearing a tan jacket and puffing a cigar, and
-- Jan Stenerud, in front of the fireplace in the kicker's apartment, with Stenerud in stocking feet.
Higdon does not indicate where the Joe Namath, Joe Auer, Mike Garrett, Jim Nance, Bob Talamini and Kent McCloughan interviews took place, so I would imagine he did those over the phone or by mail.
For example, in the interview with John Mackey, the great Colts tight end says, "John Unitas stayed out many a night with me teaching me different things about running pass patterns, how to play different defensive halfbacks, even releasing in for the 'pop' pass across the middle. You pop the linebacker, give an outside fake, then cut for the middle. This gives John more time to drop back than if you released immediately. John can't throw backing up. Little things like that pay off in the long run. He and Raymond Berry were a tremendous help to me--and still are." (This appears on Page 47.)
Also, Daryle Lamonica spends a good bit of time praising the guy he replaced as quarterback of the Raiders, Cotton Davidson. Davidson was Lamonica's roommate after the latter arrived in a trade with Buffalo. Davidson had been Oakland's starter for six years but still talked Lamonica through a host of intricacies that Lamonica says helped him eventually excel (and take Davidson's job). Also, Lamonica tells Higdon that the Raiders coach, John Rauch, introduced him to punching a boxer's speed bag as an effective exercise for improving hand-eye coordination.
But one of the most interesting aspects of the book to me is the little comments that Higdon drops into each interview opening about the occasion of his meeting with the player. Here's where each of the interviews took place:
-- Roman Gabriel, in a Los Angeles Coliseum dressing room on the day before the Jan. 21, 1968, NFL Pro Bowl;
-- Unitas, in his hotel room in Los Angeles while Unitas packed to return home from the Pro Bowl;
-- Lamonica, several days after the Oakland-Green Bay Super Bowl, though the initial conversation took place following a press conference at a motel in Boca Raton, Fla., where the Raiders were staying before the Super Bowl;
-- Bernie Casey, over dinner at Casey's home in Los Angeles, where he was traded after refusing a trade from the 49ers to the Falcons because Casey didn't feel Atlanta would be conducive to his art career;
-- Charley Taylor, after practice for the Pro Bowl;
-- Don Maynard, in the coffee shop of the Thunderbird Motel in Jacksonville, Fla., before the AFL All-Star Game;
-- Jackie Smith, "one Saturday morning before practice in the red-carpeted clubhouse of Busch Stadium" (Page 41);
-- Mackey, over lunch before the Pro Bowl;
-- Gale Sayers, in the brokerage offices of Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis, Sayers's offseason employer;
-- Jim Grabowski, in the player's Green Bay apartment;
-- Mick Tingelhoff, on a December Saturday in Chicago when the Vikings were in town to play the Bears;
-- Howard Mudd, at the Dupont Plaza Hotel in Washington;
-- Bob Brown, in the player's room on the ninth floor of Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia after a knee surgery;
-- Ron Mix, after an AFL All-Star Game practice;
-- Buck Buchanan, at a restaurant about a mile from the Chiefs' practice field, with Buchanan wearing a dark pin-striped suit and eating pig's knuckles an hour after a Kansas City practice;
-- Bob Lilly, in front of a fire in the fireplace of the family room of the player's house in suburban Dallas, with Lilly's wife cooking dinner and his kids watching TV;
-- Ordell Braase, Maxie Baughan and Willie Davis, in Los Angeles before the Pro Bowl;
-- Andy Russell, in the lobby of Green Bay's Northland Hotel the day before a Steelers-Packers game, with the player wereing gray trousers and striped tie;
-- Nick Buoniconti, one afternoon following a Boston Patriots practice;
-- Tommy Nobis, over breakfast in Los Angeles before the Pro Bowl;
-- Herb Adderley, a Saturday morning after practice in Green Bay before the Packers' last regular-season game in 1967;
-- Mel Renfro, at noon on a Tuesday, riding in Renfro's car from the team's headquarters to its practice field;
-- Larry Wilson, on a rainy day at Wilson's house in suburban St. Louis;
-- Jim Bakken, in the Cardinals' clubhouse after practice one evening, with the kicker wearing a tan jacket and puffing a cigar, and
-- Jan Stenerud, in front of the fireplace in the kicker's apartment, with Stenerud in stocking feet.
Higdon does not indicate where the Joe Namath, Joe Auer, Mike Garrett, Jim Nance, Bob Talamini and Kent McCloughan interviews took place, so I would imagine he did those over the phone or by mail.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
VIEW-MASTER Dimensional Learning Series: Instructional Football by Don Maynard
"Since the advent of television, professional football has grown in popularity with the American public so rapidly that it now challenges baseball for the title of 'the national sport,'" opens the "16-page instruction booklet illustrated in color" that comes with the 1970 VIEW-MASTER Dimensional Learning Series title, "Instructional Football by Don Maynard."
"Pro teams have developed the game into as much of a science as a sport. Fans are intrigued by the efficiency and precision with which the players carry out their assignments, as well as by the clash of wits, speed, and brute power of man against man.
"Yet the game's fascination also lies in the unexpected. Almost any good team, on any given team, can beat a better team, or roll up an overwhelming score against a team that is just as good, provided it is 'up' for the game psychologically and can build up momentum early in the contest."
Hear, hear.
"This VIEW-MASTER Dimensional Learning Series presentation gives an opportunity to learn some football playing secrets from one of the leading pro players. He is Don Maynard, a wide receiver for the 1968 world champion New York Jets in the American Football League."
This three-disc/21-stereo-picture album from Portland's General Aniline & Film (GAF) Corporation includes photographs of equipment, warm-up exercises and some action from a Jets game with the San Diego Chargers. But the bulk of the project is devoted to illustrations and explanations of various skills.
"Now we'll join Don Maynard on the practice field."'
Maynard went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the strength of 15 years of work across four leagues as a wide receiver, but his VIEW-MASTER tips expands across a wide gamut of football activities: blocking, snapping, punting ... there are no pictures of defensive techniques, but Maynard does offer a four-paragraph argument for the 4-3-4 as the most flexible defense against both running and pass plays. And here is Maynard's three-part quarterbacking tutorial:
"BALL GRIP FOR THROWING A PASS--This is how most quarterbacks hold the ball for passing. Put your fingers over the laces and your thumb on the back side of the ball. The right hand is gripping the upper part of the ball as it is held vertically, high enough to give you a comfortable feel. The left hand is used only as a guide to help hold the ball in position.
"PASS-THROWING STANCE--This is a quarterback's stance just prior to releasing the ball. Keep the right elbow back. The ball is held high, just above head level or a little above. Passing technique must be practiced until it becomes second nature. In an actual game, a quarterback doesn't have time to think about technique. He must know the running patterns of all his receivers, must be able to fake the defense, must know where all his receivers and their defenders are at every instant, and must decide which one to pass to at the exact split second. And he must do all this in a few seconds, while four big defensive linemen are trying to charge through and smash him to the ground. In short, the quarterback must have courage and a cool head. He must be able to inspire his team's confidence.
"PASS DELIVERY--As you throw the ball, you step into the direction in which it is thrown, following through afterward. The contact of your fingers with the laces will give it the spin it needs for speed and accuracy."
I would like to know more about this whole VIEW-MASTER project. For one thing, how did Maynard get the gig? Did he pursue it, or did GAF Corporation target him? Were other players considered? Did Maynard do his own writing? I would imagine he had a ghostwriter; if so, who? What was the review process? Did anyone actually use the reels to teach themselves how to play?
In any event, I want to thank Don Maynard and GAF Corporation for "Instructional Football." I find it very entertaining and informative.
"Pro teams have developed the game into as much of a science as a sport. Fans are intrigued by the efficiency and precision with which the players carry out their assignments, as well as by the clash of wits, speed, and brute power of man against man.
"Yet the game's fascination also lies in the unexpected. Almost any good team, on any given team, can beat a better team, or roll up an overwhelming score against a team that is just as good, provided it is 'up' for the game psychologically and can build up momentum early in the contest."
Hear, hear.
"This VIEW-MASTER Dimensional Learning Series presentation gives an opportunity to learn some football playing secrets from one of the leading pro players. He is Don Maynard, a wide receiver for the 1968 world champion New York Jets in the American Football League."
This three-disc/21-stereo-picture album from Portland's General Aniline & Film (GAF) Corporation includes photographs of equipment, warm-up exercises and some action from a Jets game with the San Diego Chargers. But the bulk of the project is devoted to illustrations and explanations of various skills.
"Now we'll join Don Maynard on the practice field."'
Maynard went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the strength of 15 years of work across four leagues as a wide receiver, but his VIEW-MASTER tips expands across a wide gamut of football activities: blocking, snapping, punting ... there are no pictures of defensive techniques, but Maynard does offer a four-paragraph argument for the 4-3-4 as the most flexible defense against both running and pass plays. And here is Maynard's three-part quarterbacking tutorial:
"BALL GRIP FOR THROWING A PASS--This is how most quarterbacks hold the ball for passing. Put your fingers over the laces and your thumb on the back side of the ball. The right hand is gripping the upper part of the ball as it is held vertically, high enough to give you a comfortable feel. The left hand is used only as a guide to help hold the ball in position.
"PASS-THROWING STANCE--This is a quarterback's stance just prior to releasing the ball. Keep the right elbow back. The ball is held high, just above head level or a little above. Passing technique must be practiced until it becomes second nature. In an actual game, a quarterback doesn't have time to think about technique. He must know the running patterns of all his receivers, must be able to fake the defense, must know where all his receivers and their defenders are at every instant, and must decide which one to pass to at the exact split second. And he must do all this in a few seconds, while four big defensive linemen are trying to charge through and smash him to the ground. In short, the quarterback must have courage and a cool head. He must be able to inspire his team's confidence.
"PASS DELIVERY--As you throw the ball, you step into the direction in which it is thrown, following through afterward. The contact of your fingers with the laces will give it the spin it needs for speed and accuracy."
I would like to know more about this whole VIEW-MASTER project. For one thing, how did Maynard get the gig? Did he pursue it, or did GAF Corporation target him? Were other players considered? Did Maynard do his own writing? I would imagine he had a ghostwriter; if so, who? What was the review process? Did anyone actually use the reels to teach themselves how to play?
In any event, I want to thank Don Maynard and GAF Corporation for "Instructional Football." I find it very entertaining and informative.
Colts cards
Derrel Luce 1978: "He led special teams players with 26 tackles on kickoff and punt coverage, 1975. Derrel lists motorcross among his hobbies."
George Kunz, 1976: "(S)elected as an All-Pro for the 4th time in his career and he played in his 4th Pro Bowl Game. He aided Colts' pass protection in 1975 helping club to better their offensive scoring potential. George was a consensus All-American his junior and senior years at Notre Dame. ... He's extremely strong." Drafted by the Falcons in the first round of 1969, traded by Atlanta in 1975.
George Kunz, 1976: "(S)elected as an All-Pro for the 4th time in his career and he played in his 4th Pro Bowl Game. He aided Colts' pass protection in 1975 helping club to better their offensive scoring potential. George was a consensus All-American his junior and senior years at Notre Dame. ... He's extremely strong." Drafted by the Falcons in the first round of 1969, traded by Atlanta in 1975.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Jets cards
Gus Hollomon, 1973: "A starting strong safety for Jets the past three seasons, Gus is also the club's backup punter. Had big theft vs. Chiefs to help preserve Jet victory in 1971."
Mike Battle, 1971: "Mike is part owner of a men's hair styling salon. ... A valuable member of the specialty units, Mike is almost always among the first men downfield to cover kicks and make her initial contact. His longest punt return of 1970 was a 21-yarder against the Colts to give the Jets field position for a 3rd-quarter touchdown. ... (R)eturned a punt 86-yards for a touchdown to help the Jets defeat the Giants in their first meeting ever in 1969. He suffered bruised ribs and a broken hand in 1970."
Don Maynard, 1968: "With speed to spare, Don is the Jets' long bomb threat. He was second in the AFL in pass receptions in '67, surpassed only by teammate G. Sauer. Don led the AFL with a 20.2 yd. average per catch in 1967."
Dee Mackey, 1966: "The regular starting tight end for the Jets, Dee suffered a broken collar bone late in the 1965 season against Houston. Dee was signed as a free agent by the New York club in 1963 after playing in the N.F.L. for several years. Dee won the regular tight end job in 1965."
Mike Battle, 1971: "Mike is part owner of a men's hair styling salon. ... A valuable member of the specialty units, Mike is almost always among the first men downfield to cover kicks and make her initial contact. His longest punt return of 1970 was a 21-yarder against the Colts to give the Jets field position for a 3rd-quarter touchdown. ... (R)eturned a punt 86-yards for a touchdown to help the Jets defeat the Giants in their first meeting ever in 1969. He suffered bruised ribs and a broken hand in 1970."
Don Maynard, 1968: "With speed to spare, Don is the Jets' long bomb threat. He was second in the AFL in pass receptions in '67, surpassed only by teammate G. Sauer. Don led the AFL with a 20.2 yd. average per catch in 1967."
Dee Mackey, 1966: "The regular starting tight end for the Jets, Dee suffered a broken collar bone late in the 1965 season against Houston. Dee was signed as a free agent by the New York club in 1963 after playing in the N.F.L. for several years. Dee won the regular tight end job in 1965."
New York Jets cards
Scott Dierking's 1982 card: "A powerful runner with a low center of gravity, Scott keeps his feet peddling for extra yardage. Can find open hole in defenses."
"Signed by Jets as a free agent after being overlooked in the 1976 College Draft," says Clark Gaines's 1977 card, "he had sensational campaign for the club and was rewarded with selection as team's Rookie of Year." Gaines rushed for 1,105 yards as a sophomore at Lees-McRae Junior College, then transferred to Wake Forest where he was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a senior.
Marvin Powell’s 1981 card says his idol is Winston Churchill. “Marvin has earned more honors than any other offensive lineman in Jets’ history.”
Burgess Owens's 1975 card says he rerturned a kickoff 82 yards for a score in the 1973 season opener against the Broncos. The first-round draft choice out of Miami was ultimately named the Jets' rookie of the year.
Richard Todd is a scuba diver, says his 1981 card.
Marvin Powell's 1980 card calls him "the strongest player on Jets' squad ... His blocking has been one of the reasons for Jets' running successes during the past 2 campaigns." (Also: "The Jets' defense intercepted 8 passes in game vs. Colts, 9-23-73.")
"'Lam' adds a new dimension to Jets' offense and improves team's overall speed," says his 1981 card. "... The nickname 'Lam' is from Johnny's hometown of Lampasas, Texas."
Wesley Walker's speed, says his 1979 card, "is equal to that of anyone in the NFL. ... Wesley was an outstanding sprinter at California."
Chuck Ramsey--with "a knack of booming punts high for improved coverage," says his 1978 card--joined the Jets in 1977 after two years out of football. He was the Patriots' sixth-round draft choice out of Wake Forest in 1974 and then played that season with Chicago of the World Football League.
Abdul Salaam’s 1978 card: “Formerly known as Larry Faulk, Abdul became starter at right defensive tackle for the Jets last season. … Abdul led Kent State’s ‘Carat Gold’ defense while playing either linebacker or nose guard. … Abdul was honored as ‘Mr. Defense’ in Mid-American Conference in 1974.”
Darrol Ray, who did Oklahoma's placekicking as a senior in 1979, was the Jets' second-round draft choice in 1980, says his 1981 card.
The Mets looked at Marty Lyons, an All-American defensive lineman at Alabama, as a pitching prospect, says his 1981 card.
Derrick Gaffney’s 1981 card says he’s one of five football-playing brothers. “Derrick has the knack for getting open when the quarterback is trapped or scrambling.” "All Well" got his nickname from a Richard Pryor album, according to his 1979 card.
"Signed by Jets as a free agent after being overlooked in the 1976 College Draft," says Clark Gaines's 1977 card, "he had sensational campaign for the club and was rewarded with selection as team's Rookie of Year." Gaines rushed for 1,105 yards as a sophomore at Lees-McRae Junior College, then transferred to Wake Forest where he was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a senior.
Marvin Powell’s 1981 card says his idol is Winston Churchill. “Marvin has earned more honors than any other offensive lineman in Jets’ history.”
Burgess Owens's 1975 card says he rerturned a kickoff 82 yards for a score in the 1973 season opener against the Broncos. The first-round draft choice out of Miami was ultimately named the Jets' rookie of the year.
Richard Todd is a scuba diver, says his 1981 card.
Marvin Powell's 1980 card calls him "the strongest player on Jets' squad ... His blocking has been one of the reasons for Jets' running successes during the past 2 campaigns." (Also: "The Jets' defense intercepted 8 passes in game vs. Colts, 9-23-73.")
"'Lam' adds a new dimension to Jets' offense and improves team's overall speed," says his 1981 card. "... The nickname 'Lam' is from Johnny's hometown of Lampasas, Texas."
Wesley Walker's speed, says his 1979 card, "is equal to that of anyone in the NFL. ... Wesley was an outstanding sprinter at California."
Chuck Ramsey--with "a knack of booming punts high for improved coverage," says his 1978 card--joined the Jets in 1977 after two years out of football. He was the Patriots' sixth-round draft choice out of Wake Forest in 1974 and then played that season with Chicago of the World Football League.
Abdul Salaam’s 1978 card: “Formerly known as Larry Faulk, Abdul became starter at right defensive tackle for the Jets last season. … Abdul led Kent State’s ‘Carat Gold’ defense while playing either linebacker or nose guard. … Abdul was honored as ‘Mr. Defense’ in Mid-American Conference in 1974.”
Darrol Ray, who did Oklahoma's placekicking as a senior in 1979, was the Jets' second-round draft choice in 1980, says his 1981 card.
The Mets looked at Marty Lyons, an All-American defensive lineman at Alabama, as a pitching prospect, says his 1981 card.
Derrick Gaffney’s 1981 card says he’s one of five football-playing brothers. “Derrick has the knack for getting open when the quarterback is trapped or scrambling.” "All Well" got his nickname from a Richard Pryor album, according to his 1979 card.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Edd Hargett
His 1971 Topps card: "Possessed with the ability to come off the bench and ignite his offense, Edd is a sound quarterback with good actions and a strong arm which is particularly effective at short range. Edd doesn't scramble often, but he won't force a pass into a covered area when defense is blitzing. Edd has a near-A average."
Here's his very cool 1971 Topps "Pro Action" card.
Says Wikipedia: "Edward Eugene Hargett (born June 26, 1947 in Marietta, Texas) is a former American football quarterback for Texas A&M University who went on to play professionally for the NFL's New Orleans Saints and Houston Oilers. He later played for the Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League. ... He still holds the all-time record for most total yards in one game (418 against SMU in 1968). ... Hargett was an honor student in electrical engineering at Texas A&M and later served as the manager of the Houston County Electric Co-op in Crockett, Texas. In 1985, Hargett ran unsuccessfully as a Republican in a special election for the United States House of Representatives ..."
Hargett was the quarterback when Gene Stallings coached Texas A&M to a 35-10 Cotton Bowl victory over Alabama and his former boss, Paul "Bear Bryant, on Jan. 1, 1968. Sports Illustrated's Dan Jenkins hadn't thought much of the Aggies' chances.
In a late 1969 game, the rookie whom the Saints had selected in the 16th round of the draft subbed for Billy Kilmer and nearly led New Orleans to a come-from-behind win over Vince Lombardi's Washington Redskins. Two years later, Hargett would be splitting Saints quarterback starts with rookie Archie Manning, Lombardi would be dead, and Kilmer would be quarterbacking Washington.
Here's his very cool 1971 Topps "Pro Action" card.
Says Wikipedia: "Edward Eugene Hargett (born June 26, 1947 in Marietta, Texas) is a former American football quarterback for Texas A&M University who went on to play professionally for the NFL's New Orleans Saints and Houston Oilers. He later played for the Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League. ... He still holds the all-time record for most total yards in one game (418 against SMU in 1968). ... Hargett was an honor student in electrical engineering at Texas A&M and later served as the manager of the Houston County Electric Co-op in Crockett, Texas. In 1985, Hargett ran unsuccessfully as a Republican in a special election for the United States House of Representatives ..."
Hargett was the quarterback when Gene Stallings coached Texas A&M to a 35-10 Cotton Bowl victory over Alabama and his former boss, Paul "Bear Bryant, on Jan. 1, 1968. Sports Illustrated's Dan Jenkins hadn't thought much of the Aggies' chances.
In a late 1969 game, the rookie whom the Saints had selected in the 16th round of the draft subbed for Billy Kilmer and nearly led New Orleans to a come-from-behind win over Vince Lombardi's Washington Redskins. Two years later, Hargett would be splitting Saints quarterback starts with rookie Archie Manning, Lombardi would be dead, and Kilmer would be quarterbacking Washington.
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