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2017 March -

As an actor, Timothy Brown is seldom recognized as a former star football player.  Over shadowed by other football players-turned actor like Jim Brown and Fred Williamson, “Timmy” Brown was one of the stars of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1960s. After graduating from Ball State in Indiana in 1959, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers.  With a glut of fine running backs already on the roster, it is hard to blame Vince Lombardi for letting Timmy Brown get away.  But I will blame him anyway.  Imagine a “speed back” running behind the famous Packer sweep.  No other...

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2016 June -

The 1958 season was definitely a low point in the storied history of the Green Bay Packers.   After a disappointing 3-9 season, and a sixth place finish in the NFL’s Western Division in 1957, head coach Lisle Blackbourn resigned after four seasons.   Enter Raymond “Scooter” McLean, who had been a Packers interim coach for two games in 1953, to take over the mantle of command for the 1958 season.   Although hope springs eternal, the Packers would sink even deeper with a 1-10-1 record and a last place finish. As the saying goes, “it is always darkest before the dawn.”   Despite...

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2018 February -

After a 1-10-1 record in 1958, the worst in franchise history, Packer fans were disheartened, the players were dispirited, and the fans enraged.  The viability of the franchise surviving became a concern of the NFL.  Few expected the unbelievable turnaround that would ensue with the hiring of Vince Lombardi as head coach and general manager in early 1959.  Lombardi’s punishing training and expectations of complete dedication resulted in a 7-5 record for 1959.  Players began to jell and realize their potential.  Future Hall of Famers Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, Jim Ringo, Forrest Gregg, Ray Nitschke, Hank Jordan, and...

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2020 June -

  The United States Football League of the early to mid 1980s was probably the most successful failure in late 20th century sports. Filling a need for spring football and luring top notch college stars and NFL veterans and has beens, the USFL had more stability and deeper pockets that the mid-70s WFL, which last a season and a half. The USFL was classier and as predicted by some, started a bidding war for players, driving salaries up, up, up. Generally, the league garnered positive reviews from critics and fans and though attendance varied from market to market, the league...

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2020 June -

Eddie LeBaron was well represented on several Football cards, but some were missed. An early Cowboy card from 1961 showed him in a Redskin uniform so that was corrected on the above 1961 card. Some of these samples will be future releases to check back frequently! By FRANK LITSKY APRIL 2, 2015 New York Times Eddie LeBaron, an undersize quarterback who was a college Hall of Famer, became a Marine Corps hero during the Korean War and then played in the National Football League for 11 seasons, died on Wednesday in Stockton, Calif. He was 85. His death was confirmed...

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2020 June -

Since the dawn of athletic competition, the sports world has been littered with fallen, but colorful figures.  Some make a name for themselves with stellar athletic ability while others teeter between the brink of stardom and the halls of obscurity.  The somewhat unknown Jim “King” Corcoran belongs to the latter category and was one of the more gaudy sports figures that few have ever heard of. Once called a “poor man’s Joe Namath,” Corcoran spent most of his pro football career tearing up the semi-pro Atlantic Coast Football League.  He also found success in the World Football league but only...

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2020 May -

  A Championship team two years earlier, the 1968 Buffalo Bills had the worst quarterback luck a team could have in one season. First, starter Jack Kemp and backup Tom Flores went out with injuries, then rookie Dan Darragh took a beating until his knee gave out. Kay Stephenson was next, getting knocked out with a broken collarbone. Finally running back / receiver Ed Rutkowski, a former quarterback at Notre Dame, finished the last three games of the season. Needless to say, the Bills finished with a league’s worst 1–12–1 record but it enabled them to pick USC running back...

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2020 April -

With the passing of another Lombardi-era Packer, one might take note of how many years we have behind us of wonderful sports memories, entertaining teams, and fascinating players. Willie Davis is one of those players who left a robust legacy that connected his Hall of Fame playing days with community. Drafted in 1956 by the Cleveland Browns in the 15th round, Willie was committed to two years of military service, which may account for the Browns taking him so late in the draft. After two unspectacular years in Cleveland alternating at both defensive end and offensive tackle, Willie was traded...

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