During the Minnesota Vikings playoff run to the NFC Championship in 1987, Hometown Hero Anthony Carter, set the record for the most all-purpose yards in a single post season with 642. Happy Birthday A.C.!
Football
Nicknames - Bambi
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Did you know that WR Lane Alworth was the 1st AFL Player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Head on over to the Blaze Files & cue up the array of Bambi Highlight Video Links. Enjoy!!
Cortez Kennedy
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Cortez Kennedy donned the # 99 for the 1992 season in honor of his friend, and University of Miami teammate Jerome Brown, who had passed away in a car accident that summer. Tez went on to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors for his dominating play, amassing 14 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 92 tackles. Funny thing is that the Seahawks were only 2-14 that season. He returned to his customary # 96 for the remaining years of his Hall of Fame career. R.I.P Cortez.
John Offerdahl Had a Hell of A Rookie Year
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Happy Belated Birthday to a childhood favorite, Mr. John Offerdahl. John was a 2nd round pick in 1986 for the Dolphins who would earn a trip to the Pro Bowl, and 2nd Team All-Pro honors for his impressive debut season. Let’s take a look at my own ‘Nowhere Near Mint’ John Offerdahl 1987 Topps Rookie Card. (# 244)One of my favorite cards that I’ve kept around since those early fan days. John was the ultimate player for the equipment envious youngster, like me, who was playing football in the late 80’s & early 90’s.
Call Him Dr. Death
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Skip ‘Dr. Death’ Thomas had back to back 6 interception seasons back in 1974/75 while roaming the Secondary for the Oakland Raiders.
Happy Birthday Joe Cool
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Recess was the Best - The Halfback Pass with Walter Payton
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There were only four different receivers of Walter’s 8 career TD Passes.
Can you name the four Bears?
1988 NFL Draft - First Quarterback Not Selected Until 3rd Round!
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During the 1988 NFL Draft, the 1st Quarterback wasn’t selected until pick # 68! A Draft Record.
Free Blaze Issue goes to the draft guru who can name the top two QB’s taken that year at picks 68 & 76 respectively?
**Bonus points if you can tell us the Duke Blue Devil who was the last QB taken that year. And by which team?
Michael Jackson Dyson
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Happy Birthday to Michael Jackson Dyson. The former Browns & Ravens Wide out had his best season in 1996 when he hauled in 76 passes for 1201 yards and 14 touchdowns! He wore his legal last name Dyson, on his jersey for only one game in the opening week of the 1993 season against the Cincinnati Bengals when the NFL forced him to change from his #1 to #81. He went back to Jackson on the reverse for the rest of his career. Sadly MJ was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2017.
R.I.P.- The 1989 Eagles Electrical Tape Tribute
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Can you name the Fallen Philadelphia Eagles Quarterbacks Coach who was a guiding force in the development of Randall Cunningham? He died unexpectedly in the Eagles clubhouse on December 9th, 1989. Just a day before a heated Week 14 matchup with the rival Dallas Cowboys. A.K.A ‘Bounty Bowl II’ The Eagles would don a black strip of electrical tape over their helmet wings in honor of their fallen coach for the rest of the season.
Sean Taylor -RIP
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The Little Giant - Joe Morris
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In a magical two season span with the New York Football Giants, (‘85 &’86) the mighty Joe Morris racked up a whopping 2,852 yards rushing and scored 35 Touchdowns! For perspective he had only 2,733 yards and 15 TD’s during his other six seasons in the league.
Earl Campbell - Monday Night November 20,1978
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On This Day
Rookie running sensation Earl Campbell stole the show as The Houston Oilers hosted the Miami Dolphins in a Monday Night Football thriller back on November 20th, 1978. Miami running back Delvin Williams was actually leading the league in rushing yards entering the contest, but that was about to change. A tight back and forth first half left the teams knotted 14-14 at the half. Earl had been held to just 44 yards thus far.
The tides would turn in Houston’s favor in the second half as everyone tuned into ABC that night around the country witnessed Earl’s stellar strength & skills. Earl had his way. Running with power & ease he effortlessly discarded dumbfounded Dolphin defenders to the wayside. Two Miami turnovers combined with Campbell’s epic second half allowed Houston to hold on for a 35-30 victory. Improving the Oilers to 8-4 on the season.
Earl finished the night with 199 yards on 28 carries with 4 touchdowns. One of those being an 81 yard scamper.
The Tyler Rose went on to earn many accolades for his stellar rookie season, finishing with a then rookie record 1450 yards on 302 carries and 13 touchdowns.
The two teams would meet again that post season in the Wild Card round, with Houston securing the win yet again. 17-9
The Baltimore Stallions
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On This Day - November 19th, 1995
The Baltimore Stallions defeat Doug Flutie & the Calgary Stampeders 37-20 to win the Canadian Football Championship. The Stallions become the First & only American based franchise in CFL history to win the coveted Grey Cup.
It was the second straight Grey Cup appearance for the Stallions; who were led by future CFL Hall of Famers - QB Tracy Ham, & Tailback Mike Pringle, as well as soon to be Baltimore Raven Linebacker O.J. Brigance. The CFL would end up corralling it’s Southern Division, AKA ‘The USA Expansion’ for the 1996 season, eliminating Baltimore and four other American Franchises. With the impending Cleveland Browns move to Baltimore in 1996, the Stallions got out of town. They moseyed their way up to Montreal, becoming another rendition of those Amazing Alouettes.
I’ve got some free Blaze Issues going to the Gumshoe that’s down for a little Investigation. Can anyone tell the crowd just who is #56 is in your lower right hand viewing corner?
Hint: His son went on to become an NBA Lottery Draft Pick.
Don Shula Gets win #325
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With a 19-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on November 14th, 1993, Miami Dolphins Head Coach Don Shula recorded his 325th win to become the winningest coach in NFL History. Can you guys name the rookie Quarterback who would later become a head coach himself that helped lead the Phins to the W that day?
The Body Bag Game
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Today we’re looking back at the 1990 Week 10 Monday Night Massacre more commonly referred to as ‘The Body Bag Game.’ The Philadelphia Eagles ‘Gang Green’ defense knocked nine different Redskin players out of the game with injuries, including their two quarterbacks, Brad Rutledge & Stan Humphries. Rookie kick returner Brian Mitchell (a college QB) was forced to step in late in the 28-14 Eagles victory.
Dawg Pound Duo - Frank Minniefield & Hanford Dixon
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Did you know the Cleveland Browns cornerback duo of Hanford Dixon & Frank Minniefield were voted to start three straight Pro-Bowls as the AFC Cornerback tandem? 1986,’87 & ‘88.
Reggie White #91. Huh?
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After recording 11 1/2 sacks in the spring of 1985 for the USFL’s Memphis Showboats, Reggie White suited up for the Philadelphia Eagles that fall in what would be his NFL ‘Rookie’ year. His 13 sacks for the Eagles in just 13 games earned him Defensive Rookie of Year honors. What caught my eye was seeing the ‘Minister of Defense’ wearing the # 91. Anybody out there know who wore # 92 that season for Philly? R.I.P.
The Miracle At The Met
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Let’s hear it for our guy Mr. Tommy Kramer. In specifics we’re taking it back to December 14th, 1980 and a Week 15 clash with the Cleveland Browns affectionately known as ‘The Miracle At The Met.’
‘Two Minute’ Tommy threw three 4th quarter touchdowns, leading the Vikings back from a 23-9 deficit. It all culminating with a 46 yard Hail Mary heave with just :05 left from Kramer to Wide Receiver Ahmad Rashad. Leading to a 28-23 Vikings victory.
This post was sponsored by out Blaze Trivia Master of the Week. David Z. A Minnesota Man who has answered multiple Blaze questions right recently. He asked for a Tommy Kramer Post.
Which player would you like to see a post about?? Comment down below….. And you better brush up on your Sports Trivia if you wanna beat out Dave!!
My 3rd Favorite QB - Joe Montana
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