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1963 Topps football card of former linebacker Jerry Tubbs, who played 10 seasons in the NFL, first as a two-way center/linebacker for the Chicago Cardinals, then as a member of the first Dallas team in 1960 after being plucked by the Cowboys in the expansion draft from the 49ers. He earned the starting middle linebacker job in Dallas and held it until retiring in 1966, and was a Pro Bowler in 1962. After retiring Tubbs served as a Cowboy linebacker coach for 21 years, including 2 Super Bowl-winning seasons.

1960 Fleer football card of a gridiron legend, former quarterback Slingin’ Sammy Baugh, who played 16 seasons in the NFL for the Washington Redskins. He was an eight-time All Pro and NFL Player of The Year twice. He excelled not only as the premier passer of his era but also as a punter and defensive back. Baugh was the head coach of the AFL’s New York Titans, who later became the Jets, for their first 2 seasons in the new league, and also coached the Houston Oilers for a year. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1963.

1981 Topps football card of former safety Jeff Nixon, who played six seasons in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills. He led the team in interceptions in his rookie year with 6. A knee injury ended his career in 1984, and since retiring, he has worked to keep retired NFL players informed of their rights regarding pension and medical benefits. Nixon, an accomplished guitar player, has also worked for 20 years as a youth employment director for the city of Buffalo.

1962 Fleer football card of former pro football center Jim Otto, an undersized lineman who worked hard enough to enjoy a 15 year career in the AFL and NFL, all with the Oakland Raiders. Known for his unusual “00” jersey number, he was an All-AFL player for all of the league’s 10 year existence, and an easy choice for the AFL’s All Time team. Otto was then a 3-time Pro Bowler after the team joined the NFL. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, his first year of eligibility.

1933 Goudey Sport Kings Gum football card of former pro back Harold “Red” Grange, one of the earliest star players to help put the pro game on the map. He signed with the Chicago Bears after an All American college career and was the star attraction as the team went on a barnstorming tour of the country, in the days before the NFL was an organized league. “The Galloping Ghost” played for 9 years and was a two-time All Pro, a member of 2 Bear championship clubs and was named to the NFL’s All Decade team for the 1920s. After retiring as a player, Grange was the Bears’ backfield coach for 3 seasons, starred in a few Hollywood movies and broadcast Bear games for CBS television. He was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, inducted with the inaugural class in 1963.

1972 Topps football card of former pro football running back George Nock, who had a short four career in the AFL and NFL with the New York Jets and Washington Redskins. His pro career didn’t amount to much, but he was a team captain in college at Morgan State, where he earned a degree in psychology. He also is a bronze sculptor, and created “Legends Plaza” on the Morgan State campus.

1964 Topps football card of former pro quarterback Mike Taliaferro, who played 8 seasons of pro ball with 4 different teams. He played in 3 different leagues-the AFL, NFL and World Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in 1964 but fell out of favor there the next season when the team drafted Joe Namath. He stuck around as Namath’s backup until moving on to the Boston Patriots, where he played for 3 years and was an AFL All Star in 1969.

1961 Fleer football card of former quarterback Milt Plum, who played 13 seasons in the NFL for 4 different teams. He started his career in Cleveland in 1957 when the Browns drafted him in the second round, after choosing Jim Brown in the first round. Plum quarterbacked the Browns for 5 years, engineering an offense built around the running of Brown and Bobby Mitchell, but he still was able to make the Pro Bowl twice. He was traded to Detroit in a six-player deal in 1962 and guided the Lions’ offense for 5 years there. Plum holds a unique NFL record – the longest pass completion to himself – 20 yards.

1986 Topps football card of former wide receiver Dennis McKinnon, who enjoyed an eight year career in the NFL, all but one season with the Chicago Bears. Most of his glory with the Bears was earned as a punt returner and in postseason play. He still is second all time in career punt return yards for the Bears, and holds a team record for playoff receiving touchdowns with 4. He recently wrote a book about his time playing for the Bears titled Silky D Bares All.

1963 Topps football card of former pro football defensive back Eddie Meador, who played 12 seasons in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL’s All Decade team for the 1960s. He split his career between cornerback and safety, and excelled at both spots. Ram teammate Merlin Olsen once called him “the best defensive back I have ever seen.” He still holds the Rams’ career record for interceptions with 46, for blocked kicks with 10 and for fumble recoveries with 18. He served as the Players’ Association president for 2 years prior to retiring, and is considered to be a player who has been overlooked for Hall of Fame consideration.