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What better sports card to feature on Halloween than a 1968 Topps football card of the ultimate “monster” of the NFL team known as the “Monsters of The Midway”, the Chicago Bears – linebacker Dick Butkus. One of the most feared and intimidating players not only of his era but of all time, Butkus played 9 years and was an 8 time Pro Bowler, was voted to the All Decade teams for both the 1960s and 1970s, named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-time team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. The award given annually  to the most outstanding linebacker in college football is named for him. After retiring from football, Butkus made numerous appearances in movies, television and beer ads, and also has worked on the Bears’ radio broadcasts.

1958 Topps football card of Ted Marchibroda, a quarterback from St. Bonaventure University who played only 4 seasons in the NFL, but had a long, successful coaching career in the league that spanned 25 seasons over 3 decades. He was drafted by his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers and played 3 years for them before finishing his playing days with a one-year stint as a Chicago Cardinal. Marchibroda had 2 successful stays as head coach of the Colts, for 5 seasons in Baltimore in the 1970s and again in the 1990s for 4 seasons in Indianapolis, and for his last job as an NFL head coach he returned to Baltimore to coach the Ravens in the late 1990s. His most memorable job as an assistant coach in the league was his 5 year stay in Buffalo, where as offensive coordinator he perfected the team’s “No Huddle” offense directed by Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly. Marchibroda is still active in football today, serving as an analyst on the Colts’ radio pre-game show.

1973 Opeechee hockey card of former NHL goaltender Roger Crozier, who played 14 seasons in the league, mostly with the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres. Crozier was Rookie of The Year in 1965, and the following season became the first player on the losing team to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup playoff MVP, as the Wings lost to Montreal in 6 games in the finals. Crozier’s time in Buffalo was in the early years when the team was an expansion franchise, and his play made them competitive virtually every game. He was the first player inducted into the Sabres’ Hall of Fame in 1980. Crozier died of cancer in 1996.

1989 Topps football card, courtesy of www.CheckOutMyCards.com , of former Buffalo Bills’ center Kent Hull, who passed away recently. Hull played 14 seasons of pro football, starting his career in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals, then spending 11 years with the Bills. He anchored the team’s offensive line through one of the most successful eras in the Bills’ history, and was a 3-time Pro Bowler. Hull’s time with the Bills began at the same time as Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly, and in a story typical of an offensive lineman’s plight, while Kelly came to town in a limousine cheered on by throngs of people, Hull rode in behind the limo in an equipment van.

1979 Topps football card of former Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive back Herman Edwards, who had a solid 10 year career in the NFL, 9 with the Eagles, where he is best known for recovering the fumble and returning it for a touchdown on the play dubbed “The Miracle of The Meadowlands”. After his playing days ended, Edwards went into coaching and eventually became a head coach, serving in that capacity for 8 years with the New York Jets and Kansas City. He was known for being extremely outspoken in his post-game press conferences, and his quote “you play to win the game” became a famous sound bite. Edwards currently works as an NFL studio analyst for ESPN.

1982 Topps football card of former Pittsburgh Steeler linebacker Jack Lambert. A key member of the “Steel Curtain”  defense that dominated the NFL in the 1970s, Lambert played on 4 Super Bowl-winning teams in his 11 year career. He is considered one of the toughest players in league history, and among the best middle linebackers. He was a 9 time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL’s All Decade teams for the 1970s and ’80s. Lambert was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

1984 Topps football card of former Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Jerry Butler. He was drafted by the Bills in 1979 and had an immediate impact as a dynamic pass catcher with speed and grace. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1980 and played his entire eight year career with the Bills, but unfortunately that career was cut short by injury. Butler has served as an assistant coach with various teams since his playing days ended, and currently is the Cleveland Browns’ Director of Player Development.

1974 Topps football card of the guy now best known as Peyton and Eli’s dad, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning. Unfortunately for him, Manning was drafted by the Saints to be the franchise “savior” but they were dreadful for the entire 10 years he played for them. In fact, his 26% winning percentage for his career is the worst in NFL history for QBs with at least 100 starts. He was poorly protected by a weak offensive line and took a major beating his entire time in the league, in a time when there weren’t any rules protecting the quarterback, and earned a reputation as a gamer among his peers. In fact, he is regarded among the players of his era as not only one of the toughest quarterbacks but one of the toughest players overall. His dismal career statistics don’t tell the story of his skill level, as he was voted to 2 Pro Bowls and was the NFC Player of The Year in 1978.

1979 Topps baseball card of former Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt. Considered one of the greatest third basemen of all time, Schmidt played his entire career for the Phils, and led them to the 1980 World Series title, being named Series MVP. He was a 12-time all star, 10 time Gold glove winner for fielding and an 8-time NL home run champ. Schmidt was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1995.

1961 Fleer football card of former Chicago Bears back Willie Galimore. “Willie The Wisp” was drafted by the Bears in 1956 and was known for his tremendous speed and lateral movement – some teammates even claimed he could run as fast side-to-side down the field as most men could in a straight line. Galimore played for the Bears from 1957 until 1963, including their ’63 NFL championship team, but unfortunately, was killed in an auto accident along with teammate Bo Farrington in 1964. He was active in the Civil Rights movement at the time, taking part in demonstrations in his hometown of St. Augustine, Florida shortly before his death. Galimore’s son Ron was the first African-American U.S. gymnast.