2018 Score football card of former pro wide receiver John Brown, who played 9 seasons in the NFL for 7 different franchises. Nicknamed “Smoke” for his speed, Brown’s most productive years were his first 4 spent with Arizona, but his best season statistically was the 2019 season in Buffalo, where he was a main target of Josh Allen. He is currently considered a free agent and is not officially retired as a player.
1966 Topps football card of former pro receiver Frank Jackson, who played 7 seasons in the American Football League for Dallas/Kansas City and Miami. He helped the Dallas Texans win the AFL title in 1962 and was an All Star in ’65. He was picked by the Dolphins in the expansion draft and played 2 years there before retiring. Jackson became a lawyer after his playing days ended and was both a prosecutor and defense lawyer, and also served as assistant district attorney in Dallas. His older brother Charlie also played pro football.
1966 Philadelphia football card of former pro halfback/defensive back Clarence Childs, who played 5 seasons in the NFL for the New York Giants and Chicago Bears. Nicknamed “Poppa”, he was drafted by the AFL’s Boston Patriots in 1961, but due to a stint in the military didn’t begin his football career until 1964 when he joined the Giants. Childs was a two-way player in college, manning spots on both offense and defense, but made his mark in pro ball as a kick returner.
1952 Bowman football card of former pro back Don Paul, who played 9 years in the NFL for the Chicago Cardinals and Cleveland Browns. A versatile player, he played halfback, cornerback on defense and excelled as a kick return specialist. Paul was a four-time Pro Bowler and played on 2 NFL championship teams, in 1954 and ’55, for the Browns. After his playing days ended, he served as general manager for 4 different professional soccer teams in the North American Soccer League (NASL). Paul passed away in 2001.
1962 Post Cereal football card of former pro football end Carroll Dale, who enjoyed a long 14 year career in the NFL. He spent his first 5 years with the Los Angeles Rams before being traded to Green Bay in 1965, where he helped the Packers win 3 consecutive championships, including the first 2 Super Bowls. Dale was a 3 time Pro Bowler and is in the College Football Hall of Fame. He was a college athletic director after his playing days ended, and his former high school’s football stadium is named after him.
1978 Topps football card of former pro football receiver Lou Piccone, who played 9 seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. He was mostly a kick returner and special teams player, and earned his way to the league the hard way, making the jump from semi-pro ball. He did manage exactly 100 receptions and 6 receiving touchdowns in his career. Piccone has a street named after him in his hometown of Vineland, New Jersey.
2006 Bowman football card of former pro wide receiver Lee Evans, who played 12 seasons in the NFL, all but 1 with the Buffalo Bills. He ranks in the top 5 of Bills’ franchise receiving records, yet never was selected to play in the Pro Bowl. His only playoff experience came in his last season with the Baltimore Ravens, and he had a key drop in a playoff game against New England. Evans has spent a lot of his retirement years coaching and mentoring his sons in various sports.
1989 Topps football card of former pro wide receiver Chris Burkett, who played 9 years in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. He totaled 292 receptions and 19 touchdowns in his career. Burkett is currently the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi, and also is the founder and CEO of chrisburkettsports.
1955 Topps All American football card of former college and pro halfback Tom Harmon, who played 2 seasons in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams. After a stellar college career, he was the first overall pick of the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, but never played for them. He entered the military and became a World War II hero, as a pilot in the Army Air Corps. After his short Rams’ career, he dabbled in acting and had a long career as a sports broadcaster. Harmon died of a heart attack at the age of 70 in 1990. His son Mark is a well known Hollywood actor.
1982 Topps football card of former pro safety Bill Simpson, who split a 9 year career between the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills. He was named to the NFL All Rookie team in 1974, and had 43 career interceptions, including 9 in the playoffs. Simpson’s son Brett was the US Open of Surfing champion in 2009 and 2010.