Pittsburgh Steelers

Here are the 1968 Pittsburgh Steelers. Most teams had 8 or 9 cards in the '68 set, but the Steelers only have 7 cards. Quarterback Bill Nelsen was traded to the Browns in May 1968, so Topps updated Nelsen's card, giving the Browns 10 cards, while leaving the Steelers without a QB card.

Four of the players appear in the so-called "Batman" jerseys worn during the '66 and '67 seasons.

Of the players below, only Andy Russell was still with the team when they reached the Super Bowl in the early 1970s. 

Like many of the NFL players in this set, Gros is pictured in an older photo, wearing his Packers' jersey from his 1962-63 stint in Green Bay. (Topps didn't issue NFL cards from 1964-67, so recent pics weren't available.) Gros was the Eagles' starting fullback from 1964-66, and was traded to Pittsburgh before the '67 season. He was their starting FB in '68 and '69, then ended his career with the 1970 Saints.

J. R. Wilburn played his entire career (1966-70) with the Steelers. He was the team's starting flanker from 1967-69, but lost his starting job to rookie Ron Shanklin in 1970.

Roy Jefferson may have been the best player in this group. He led the NFL with 1074 receiving yards in 1968, and had 1079 yards in 1969. After 5 seasons in Pittsburgh, he played for the Colts in 1970, and the last 6 seasons of his career with the Redskins. He also returned punts in '65, '66, and '68.

Bill Saul was the Colts' 2nd-round pick (out of Linebacker U.) in 1962. After 2 seasons as a reserve, he moved to Pittsburgh in 1964. He played behind Myron Pottios for a year, then missed the entire 1965 season. He returned as the team's starting MLB in '66 and '67. He lost the starting job in 1968 to future Baltimore Colt Ray May. Saul finished up as a backup in New Orleans (1969) and Detroit (1970).

Andy Russell was the Steelers' SIXTEENTH-round pick in 1963. He was their starting right linebacker for his entire career (1963-76), except for missing all of 1964-65 while in the US Army. Russell was a 7-time Pro Bowler, including every season from 1970-75.

Marv Woodson played 5 1/2 seasons with the Steelers (1964-69), before finishing the 1969 season (and his career) with the Saints. He was Pittsburgh's starting left cornerback from 1965-68.

Paul Martha was the Steelers' #1 pick in the 1964 draft. He was a split end for his first 2 seasons, then moved to defense, becoming the starting free safety from 1966 to 1969. He finished his career in 1970 as the Bronco's starting free safety. After football he became an attorney, and was an executive with the 49ers and Pittsburgh Penguins.


Also check out the 1967 and 1972 Steelers.

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Cleveland Browns

In 1967, the Browns compiled a 9-5 record and finished first in the Century Division (Browns, Giants, Steelers, Cardinals). They lost to the Cowboys in the first playoff round.

In 1968, they improved to 10-4, finished first again, and beat Dallas in the 1st playoff round. They would then lose to the NFL champion Colts.

Bill Nelsen - After 5 seasons with the Steelers, Nelson moved to Cleveland for 1968 and was the Browns' starting QB for 4 seasons, before finishing his career in 1972 as a backup.

Frank Ryan - Frank was drafted by the Rams in 1958. After 4 seasons as the backup QB, he was traded to the Browns and was their starting QB from 1962-67, making the Pro Bowl 3 times. He backed up Nelsen in 1968, then was the Redskins' #2 QB for 2 seasons.

Leroy Kelly - The retirement of Jim Brown after 1965 opened the gate for Kelly, who led the Browns in rushing every season from 1966-72. He led the NFL in '67 and '68 with over 1200 rushing yards each season. Kelly wound up his career in 1973 in a reduced role. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1994.

Ernie Green - Green spent his entire career (1962-68) with the Browns. He moved to fullback for his last 2 seasons (replacing the retired Jim Brown).

Gary Collins - Gary was the Browns' #1 pick (4th pverall) in 1962. He played his entire career (1962-71) with the Browns. He was primarily the punter in his rookie season, but became a fulltime flanker in his 2nd season (leading the NFL with 13 receiving TDs) while continuing to punt. He rarely punted in his last 4 seasons.

Paul Warfield - Long before he was winning Super Bowls with the Dolphins, Warfield was a top split end for the Browns. Cleveland's #1 pick in 1964 played 6 seasons with the Browns (although missing most of 1965) and led the NFL with 12 TDs in 1968. Paul achieved greater success in 5 seasons with Miami (1970-74). After a season in the WFL, he returned to Cleveland for the '76 and '77 seasons. Warfield was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

Gene Hickerson - Here's a rare shot of a helmeted player - at least Topps didn't have to airbrush out an unlicensed logo! Hickerson played his entire career (1958-73) with the Browns. He was their starting right guard from 1959-71 before moving to left guard for his last 2 seasons. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Bill Glass - Topps inexplicably forgot to use orange on this card's nameplate (as with all other Browns' cards). They had a similar brain cramp on some of their 1967 baseball cards. Glass played from 1958 to 1968, and was the starting right defensive end every season but his rookie year. After 4 seasons with the Lions, he played his last 7 seasons with the Browns.

Jim Kanicki - Jim was drafted by the Browns in 1963 and played 7 seasons with the team - all but the first and last as the starting right defensive tackle. He was a starting DT for the Giants in 1970 and 1971.

Erich Barnes - Barnes was drafted by the Bears in 1958, and after 3 seasons as a starter there, he moved on to the Giants, where he was the starting left cornerback from 1961-64. He played his final 5 seasons (1965-71) with the Browns, where he started at left cornerback every season except '65 and '71.


Also see the 1967 and 1972 Browns.


Next time: Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Colts

This is the season when the Colts ended up in Super Bowl III against the Jets and... well, you know the rest...


Johnny Unitas - After 12 seasons as the Colts' starting QB, Unitas rode the bench in 1968, as journeyman Earl Morrall started every game, including the Super Bowl. Unitas threw only 32 passes during the regular season, and his late-game entry into the Super Bowl was too-little too-late for the Colts.


Tom Matte - Tom was the Colts' #1 pick in the 1961 draft. He played his entire career (1961-72) with Baltimore, and was the team's starting halfback from 1967-69.


Tony Lorick - The Colts' 2nd-round pick in 1964, Lorick played for the Colts for 4 seasons, the last 2 as their starting fullback. He finished his career playing for the Saints in 1968 and 1969.


Willie Richardson - Willie played for the Colts for 7 seasons (1963-69), the last 3 as their starting flanker. Beginning in 1970, longtime wideouts Richardson and Jimmy Orr were replaced by Roy Jefferson and Eddie Hinton, with Richardson heading to Miami. After 1 season backing up the Dolphins' Paul Warfield and Howard Twilley, Willie returned to Baltimore to finish his career in 1971.


John Mackey - Mackey was the premier tight end in the NFL during his career. He joined the Colts in 1963 and was their starting tight end for 8 seasons. After one more season in Baltimore, he finished his career in 1972 with the Chargers. John was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 1992.


Ordell Braase - Braase spent his entire career (1957-68) as the Colts' right defensive end.


Billy Ray Smith - Billy Ray was a starting defensive end for the Rams as a rookie in 1957. After 3 seasons with the Steelers, he came to Baltimore and was a starting defensive tackle for the next 10 seasons, retiring after 1970. His son (Billy Ray Jr.) was a linebacker for the Chargers from 1983-92.


Lenny Lyles - Lyles was the Colts' #1 pick (11th overall) in the 1958 draft. He played in the league for 12 seasons, all with the Colts, except for 1959-60 with the 49ers. He was primarily a kick returner for his first 4 seasons, then played right cornerback for his last 7 seasons.

Jerry Logan - Logan played his entire career (1963-72) with the Colts. After returning punts as a rookie, he was the team's starting strong safety for the remainder of his career.

Denver Broncos

Here are the 1968 Denver Broncos cards. Most NFL teams seemed to have 9 cards, while the AFL teams had 8 cards. Aside from Floyd Little, there's not much here to write home about. I had 5 of these cards back in 1968 (3 of which apparently I found necessary to redefine their positions), acquired Bob Scarpitto and Nemiah Wilson in the 1980s, and just got Floyd Little this year.

The Broncos were one of the perennially lousy AFL teams, losing at least 10 games in 6 of their first 8 seasons. They didn't have a winning record until 1973 (7-5-2).


#69 Steve Tensi - It seems that the Broncos' lack of success in their early years was due to not having a good quarterback. While other AFL teams had Len Dawson, Daryle Lamonica, Jack Kemp, Joe Namath, Bob Griese, and John Hadl, the Broncos employed the likes of Frank Tripucka, Mickey Slaughter, Jacky Lee, John McCormick, Max Choboian, Steve Tensi, Marlin Briscoe, Pete Liske, and Steve Ramsey. Not until 1972 would they have a "good" QB (Charley Johnson). Hmmm... I haven't really talked about Steve Tensi yet. 'Nuff said.

#173 Floyd Little - This is by far the worst conditioned of all my football cards. I just picked it up (in "good" status) earlier this year as a place-holder, since it was one of the last 3 cards I needed for the set. Floyd Little was one of the best running backs in the AFL. Floyd was the Broncos' #1 pick in 1967, and was their starting halfback for his entire career (1967-75). He played in 5 Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.


#17 Bo Hickey - Does Bo know football? It would appear not, since his entire career consisted of 12 games for the 1967 Broncos.


#121 Al Denson - Denson was drafted in the 6th round by both the Broncos and Eagles in 1964. He played for the Broncos from 1964 to 1970, and was their starting tight end in 1966, then started at wide receiver from 1967-70. His 11 TDs in 1967 led the AFL. Al finished his career in 1971 with the Vikings.


#95 Eric Crabtree - Eric was drafted in 1966 by the Broncos and the Colts. He played for Denver from 1966-68, the last 2 seasons as a starting wide receiver. He was one of the Cincinnati Bengals' starting receivers from 1969 to midway through the 1971 season. He finished out the 1971 season with the Patriots.


#42 Tom Beer - Beer was the Broncos' #2 pick in 1967, and started at tight end from 1967 to 1969. From 1970 to 1972 he played for the Patriots, and was their starting TE in 1971. He also played the guard position in 1970.

#199 Nemiah Wilson - Wilson played for the Broncos from 1965-67, the last 2 seasons as their starting right cornerback. He was traded to the Raiders prior to the 1968 season, and was a starting cornerback there from 1969 to 1973. He played 2 more seasons with Oakland as a backup cornerback.

#147 Bob Scarpitto - Bob began his career in 1961, playing sparingly as a Chargers' flanker. From 1962 to 1966, he was the Broncos' starting flanker. making from 21 to 35 catches in each of those seasons, and made the Pro Bowl in 1966. Mysteriously, he was limited to 1 reception in 1967. He was the Broncos' punter from 1965-67. In 1968, he was the Boston Patriots' punter.


Also see the 1971 Broncos.

This post wraps up the 10 AFL teams. Next time: Baltimore Colts
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San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers finished in 3rd place with an 8-5-1 record in 1967. In 1968, they improved slightly to 9-5, but still finished in 3rd place. Among all the mediocrity were 2 future Hall-of-Famers: Lance Alworth and Ron Mix.

I had Garrison, Frazier, Mix, and Redman in 1968. The others (as with all the 2nd-series cards) were acquired in the 1980s.


#63 John Hadl - Hadl was drafted by the Chargers in 1962, and became the starting QB as a rookie when Jack Kemp was 1st sidelined by an injury, then Kemp was lost to the Buffalo Bills in a botched waiver move. After losing the starting job to veteran Tobin Rote in 1963, John regained the position in 1964 and held it through the 1972 season. He later played for the Rams, Packers, and Oilers, retiring after the 1977 season. Hadl (#21) was the last QB to wear a jersey number higher than #19.


#141 Brad Hubbert - Brad played for the Chargers from 1967-70, and was their starting fullback in 1967 and 1969. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

#193 Lance Alworth - Alworth was one of the all-time top receivers in the AFL. He led the league in receptions in '66, '68, and '69, in receiving yards in '65, '66, and '68, and in touchdowns in '64, '65, and '66. Although drafted by the Raiders in 1962, he began his career with the Chargers that season, and was San Diego's starting flanker from 1963-70. He also played for the Cowboys in 1971 and 1972, appearing in Super Bowl VI. A seven-time Pro Bowler, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.


#36 Gary Garrison - Gary looks more like a star from 77 Sunset Strip than a football player here. Drafted by the Eagles in 1965, Garrison was the Chargers' starting split end from 1966-75, and finished his career in 1977 with the Oilers.


#11 Willie Frazier - After 2 seasons (1964-65) as the Oilers' tight end, Willie started for the Chargers from 1966-70. In 1971 and 1972, he played for the Oilers and Chiefs. After missing 2 seasons, he returned in 1975 to play 5 games with the Oilers.


#89 Ron Mix - Ron played all 10 seasons for the Chargers in the AFL (1960-69). He made first-team all-pro in his first 9 seasons as the Chargers' starting right offensive tackle (right guard in 1962). After missing the 1970 season, he finished up with the Raiders in 1971. Mix was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.


#115 Rick Redman - Redman was drafted by both the Chargers and Eagles in 1965, but played his entire career (1965-73) with the Chargers. Early on, he was the team's starting middle linebacker, but moved outside for his final 3 seasons. He was also the team's punter for his first 3 seasons.


#167 "Speedy" Duncan - Duncan played for the Chargers from 1964-70, and was the team's primary kick and punt returner. He was also the starting right cornerback from 1965-69. Speedy later played for the Redskins from 1971-74, primarily as a kick and punt returner.


Also see the 1971 and 1972 Chargers.


Next time: Denver Broncos
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