Nearmint's Vintage Football Card Blog

Russ Francis, who played tight end for thirteen seasons with the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers, is celebrating his 60th birthday today. Francis was a three-time Pro Bowler, and he played on the 1984 49ers team that finished 18-1 and won Super Bowl XIX.

Francis excelled in other sports, as well. In 1971, at Pleasant Hill High School in Oregon, he set the national high school record for the javelin. In the 1974 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft, the Kansas City Royals drafted him as a pitcher. He also wrestled professionally, and he placed second in the 1980 U.S. Superstars competition.

Francis is pictured here on his rookie card, a 1976 Topps.

Happy birthday, Mr. Francis!

Robert Jackson, who played guard for the Cleveland Browns from 1975 to 1985, is celebrating his 60th birthday today. Jackson played college football at Duke, and he made the team as a rookie free agent in 1975. There is a nice summary of his career on the Browns web site.

Jackson’s 1977 Topps and 1978 Topps cards are pictured here. The 1977 Topps card is his rookie card.

Happy birthday, Mr. Jackson!

Jim Hudson, who played defensive back for the New York Jets from 1965 to 1970, is celebrating his 70th birthday today. Hudson was a starter in Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts, and he intercepted an Earl Morrall pass in that game. The Jets won, 16-7.

Hudson played college football at the University of Texas, and in 1963 he helped the Longhorns win their first National Championship. He was elected to the Longhorn Hall of Honor last year.

As far as I know, Hudson did not have a football card, but he did appear on a 1969 Glendale stamp. His stamp is pictured here.

Happy birthday, Mr. Hudson!

Former CFL and NFL running back Bo Scott is celebrating his 70th birthday today. Scott played for the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1964 to 1968, and for the Cleveland Browns from 1969 to 1973. He was a member of the Ottawa team that won the Grey Cup (CFL Championship) in 1968. There is a nice summary of Scott’s professional career in the Alumni Spotlight section of ClevelandBrowns.com.

Scott is pictured here on his first NFL football card, a 1970 Topps. He appeared on several more cards and stamps, as well.

Happy birthday, Mr. Scott!

Former NFL running back Chet Hanulak is celebrating his 80th birthday today. Hanulak played for the Cleveland Browns in 1954 and 1957, spending the intervening two seasons in the Air Force. He was a member of the Browns team that won the 1954 NFL Championship. He scored the team’s last touchdown in the championship game against the Detroit Lions.

Before his pro career, Hanulak starred at the University of Maryland. In 1953 he averaged nearly ten yards per carry and led the Terrapins to the National Championship. The Atlantic Coast Conference web site has a recent interview with Hanulak, including a video summary of his college career.

Hanulak is pictured here on his rookie card, a 1954 Bowman. He also appeared on a 1958 Topps card, but he had retired from football by the time it came out.

According to OldestLivingProFootball.com, Hanulak is the 494th oldest former professional American football player.

Happy birthday, Mr. Hanulak!

“Mad Dog” Mike Curtis is celebrating his 70th birthday today. Curtis was a star linebacker from 1965 to 1978 for the Baltimore Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Redskins. He played in two Super Bowls with the Colts: Super Bowl III, which they lost to the New York Jets, and Super Bowl V, in which they beat the Dallas Cowboys. The Associated Press named Curtis first team All-NFL in 1968 and 1969. The Fox Sports Florida web site has a recent story about Curtis, including photos of him with some of his memorabilia.

Curtis is pictured here on his 1969 Glendale Stamp. He appeared on numerous other football cards and stamps, as well.

Happy birthday, Mr. Curtis!

Former NFL quarterback John Roach is celebrating his 80th birthday today. Roach played seven seasons for the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Dallas Cowboys. He was a member of NFL Championship teams with the Packers in 1961 and 1962.

Roach appeared on two football cards, both in 1961, but with different teams. His 1961 Topps card pictures him with the Cardinals, but he was traded before the 1961 season first to the Cleveland Browns, then to the Packers, and he ended up on a 1961 Lake to Lake Packers card, as well. Both of his cards are pictured below.

According to OldestLivingProFootball.com, Roach is the 496th oldest former professional American football player.

Happy birthday, Mr. Roach!

Former NFL defensive end Roy Hilton is celebrating his 70th birthday today. Hilton played from 1965 to 1975 for the Baltimore Colts, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons. He was a member of the Colts teams that played in Super Bowls III and V. He got 1 1/2 sacks in Super Bowl V, which the Colts won 16-13 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Hilton is shown here on his rookie card, a 1969 Topps. He appeared on a few more cards, as well.

Happy birthday, Mr. Hilton!

John Henderson, a wide receiver from 1965 to 1972 for the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, is celebrating his 70th birthday today. Henderson’s best seasons were 1969 and 1970, when he gained over 500 yards each season. He was the leading receiver in Super Bowl IV, with 7 receptions for 111 yards. It wasn’t enough: the Vikings lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7.

Though he played for eight seasons, I don’t believe that Henderson appeared on any standard football cards during his NFL career. He did, however, appear on a 1972 Sunoco Stamp, pictured here.

Happy birthday, Mr. Henderson!

Dave Osborn, longtime running back for the Minnesota Vikings, is celebrating his 70th birthday today. Osborn played for the Vikings from 1965 to 1975, and he finished his career with the Green Bay Packers in 1976. His best season was 1967, when he gained a total of 1244 yards rushing and receiving. Osborn was a member of the Vikings teams that played in Super Bowls IV, XIII, and IV. He scored the team’s only touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV.

Osborn played college football at the University of North Dakota. He was elected to the University of North Dakota Letterwinners Association Hall of Fame in 1977.

Osborn is pictured here on his 1970 Topps Super Glossy football card. He appeared on dozen more cards and stamps, as well.

Happy birthday, Mr. Osborn!