New York Giants

Seven of the 10 Giants are pictured in helmets. In fact, of all the players in the 1967 set, only 12 are wearing helmets: 7 Giants, 2 Saints (pictured in their 1966 Giants' uniforms), and 3 Colts.

I had all these Giants cards in 1967 except for Spider Lockhart.


#109 Giants Team - The back of this card tells us that "After a spectacular rise from the cellar in '64, to a 2nd place tie in '65, the Giants fell to the cellar again in '66 with a 1-12-1 record".
With a new QB on board for 1967, they would soar to a 7-7 record, finishing 2nd in their division.


#114 Tom Kennedy - I always thought it was strange that Topps chose Tom Kennedy for their 1967 Giants' QB. Earl Morrall began the previous season as the starter, but after injuries sidelined him, he was replaced by backup Gary Wood, with Kennedy being called up from the Continental League as a backup. Wood was then lost to the Saints in the expansion draft, so the obvious choice for this card would have been Morrall. No matter, in March 1967 the Giants traded for Fran Tarkenton, making Morrall and Kennedy irrelevant. Kennedy's only NFL action was in 1966.


#112 Allen Jacobs - Allen's NFL career consisted of 1 year with the Packers (1965), and 2 years with the Giants. He played 34 games, starting none.

#116 Joe Morrison - Morrison was the Giants' 3rd-round pick in 1959, and played his entire career with the Giants (1959-72). Usually a running back or flanker, he also played defensive back during his career.

#113 Homer Jones - Homer played 6 seasons (1964-69) with the Giants before finishing his career in 1970 with the Browns. He was the Giants' starting split end from 1966-69.


#119 Aaron Thomas - Thomas was drafted by the 49ers in 1961, and was their starting split end as a rookie. He joined the Giants early in the 1962 season, and remained with them until retiring after the 1970 season. He was the starting tight end from 1964-68.


#117 Francis Peay - Peay was New York's #1 pick in the 1966 draft. After only 2 seasons with the Giants he moved on to the Packers, where he was their starting left offensive tackle for several years, before finishing his career with the Chiefs from 1973-74.


#118 Jeff Smith - Who's picking the subjects for these cards? Smith was a 10th-round pick in 1966, played 14 games for the Giants, and never played in the NFL again.


#111 Clarence Childs - Childs played for the Giants from 1964-1967, and the Bears in 1968. Primarily a kick returner, he was also the Giants' starting right cornerback in 1966. As a rookie, he returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.


#115 "Spider" Lockhart - Lockhart was the Giants' 13th-round pick in 1965, and played his entire career (1965-75) with the Giants. After serving as the starting left cornerback for his 1st 2 seasons, he was the team's starting free safety for his remaining 9 seasons. He also returned punts (mostly from 1966-70), and punted from 1965-68.


#110 Henry Carr - Carr was drafted by the Giants in 1965, and after 2 seasons as a starting safety, he concluded his NFL career in 1967 as the Giants' starting right cornerback. A track star at Arizona State, Henry won 2 gold medals at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.



#120 Giants Logo - "The players try hard. The coach tries hard. Perhaps the fans should try harder." Whaaa? This is the funniest comment I've ever seen on the back of a sports trading card!


Next time: Philadelphia Eagles


Also check out the 1972 Giants.

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Minnesota Vikings

Here are the 1967 Vikings. All but Dale Hackbart are pictured in their classic purple jerseys. I like these late-1960s jerseys much better than the early 1970s Vikings' jerseys, which look too much like New York Giants' jerseys. I think my 3 favorite NFL jerseys are the Packers (green w/gold arm stripes), Vikings (purple w/white arm stripes and gold edging around the numbers), and the Steelers (black w/gold arm stripes). I also like the Miami Dolphins' jerseys (teal with orange trim).

I got all of these cards back in the day except for Bill Brown.


#97 Vikings Team - The Vikings finished 1966 with a 4-9-1 record - last in the West. After trading QB Fran Tarkenton in the off-season, they finished 3-8-3 in 1967, the first of Joe Kapp's 3 seasons as the Vikings' QB.

#106 Fran Tarkenton - Tarkenton was the Vikings' QB from their inception in 1961 through the 1966 season, then again from 1972-78. In between, he spent 5 seasons with the Giants. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. (The back of this card states that he was traded to the Giants on March 7, 1967.)


#104 Tommy Mason - Mason was the Vikings' #1 pick (1st overall) in the 1961 draft (the team's 1st season). He played 6 seasons with the Vikings and 3 with the Rams before wrapping up his career with the Redskins in 1971. In the 1970s he was married to former Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby.


#99 Bill Brown - Bill was the Bears' 2nd-round pick in 1961. After 1 season in Chicago, he spent the rest of his career as the Vikings fullback, until retiring after the 1974 season. He led the NFL with 251 rushing attempts in 1966.


#101 Paul Flatley - Paul was the Vikings' split end from 1963 to 1967, then played 3 more seasons with the Falcons.


#107 Mick Tingelhoff - Mick played his entire career (1962-78) with the Vikings, starting every game (240) at center during that time. He was a 6-time Pro Bowler.


#105 Milt Sunde - Sunde (SUN-dee) played his entire career (1964-74) with the Vikings, and was a starter from 1965-73. Early on, he was the team's starting left guard before moving to the right side in 1968.

#98 Grady Alderman - Grady was drafted by the Lions in 1960, and joined the expansion Vikings in 1961. He was their starting left offensive tackle from 1961-73, missing only 2 games during that time span. Alderman retired after the 1974 season.


#100 Fred Cox - Fred was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and New York Titans (Jets) in 1961, but did not play until he joined the Vikings in 1963. He kicked for the Vikings from 1963-77, and also punted (70 times) during his rookie season.


#103 Jim Marshall - Marshall started every game during his 20-year career (282 regular-season games) which included 1960 with the Browns and 1961-79 with the Vikings. He was the starting right defensive end in every season except 1961, when he played left defensive end. (The back of this card mercilessly states "He will always be remembered for picking up a 49er fumble and going 66 yards to the wrong end zone for a SF safety.")


#102 Dale Hackbart - Hackbart was drafted by the Packers in 1960. After a full season in 1960 and 2 games in 1961, he was traded to the Redskins, where he was the starting free safety from 1961-63. After 2 seasons with the Canadian League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Dale played for the Vikings from 1966-70, starting at free safety for the 1st two seasons. He later played for the Cardinals (1971-72) and the Broncos (1973).



#108 Vikings Logo - The Vikings joined the NFL in 1961, one season after the Dallas Cowboys. Soon, the Falcons (1966) and Saints (1967) would increase the NFL to 16 teams.


Also check out the 1972 Vikings.


Next time: New York Giants
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Los Angeles Rams

Here are the 1967 Los Angeles Rams. The yellow borders of all the cards combine with the yellow nameplate on the Rams' cards to make for an explosion of yellow (which has always been my favorite color anyway!) I collected all these cards in 1967, except for Roman Gabriel, which I acquired a few years ago.


#85 Rams Team - The Rams were coached by George Allen from 1966 to 1970, then he moved to the Redskins (taking several veteran players with him). In 1966, they finished in 3rd place (8-6-0) in the 7-team Western Division. With the inclusion of the Saints in 1967, the NFL was re-aligned into four 4-team divisions. The Rams finished 1st (11-1-2) in the Coastal Division, which included the Colts (also 11-1-2), 49ers (7-7) and the Falcons (1-12-1). In the playoffs, they got blown out by the Packers (28-7), who were on their way to Super Bowl II.

#88 Roman Gabriel - Gabriel was the Raiders' #1 pick (1st overall) in the 1962 AFL draft, and the Rams' #1 pick (2nd overall) in the 1962 NFL draft. After sharing the starting assignments for 2 seasons with Zeke Bratkowski, followed by 2 seasons with Bill Munson, Roman started every game for the Rams from 1966-1971, and all but 1 game in 1972. After the 1972 season he was traded to the Eagles, where he played for 5 more seasons (the first 3 as the #1 QB). Gabriel was a 4-time Pro Bowler.

#93 Tom Moore - Tom was the Packers' #1 pick (5th overall) in the 1960 draft. After 6 seasons rushing and returning kicks for the Packers, he played for the Rams in 1966 and the Falcons in 1967.


#86 Dick Bass - Bass was the Rams' #1 pick (2nd overall) in the 1959 draft. He played his entire career (1960-69) with the Rams, and rushed for over 1000 yards in 1962 and 1966. He was the Rams' first 1000-yard back.

#91 Tommy McDonald - Tommy was the Eagles' 3rd-round pick in 1957. He played flanker for the Eagles (1957-63), Cowboys (1964), Rams (1965-66), Falcons (1967) and Browns (1968). In 1961, his 1144 receiving yards and 13 TDs led the NFL. He also had over 1000 receiving yards in '62 and '65. McDonald was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

#92 Marlin McKeever - Marlin was the Rams' #1 pick (4th overall) in 1961. After playing outside linebacker for his first 3 seasons, McKeever switched to tight end during the 1963 season. After 6 seasons with the Rams, he spent the 1967 season with the Vikings. In 1966, he lost a finger in a car accident with teammate Roman Gabriel. Maybe this led to his switch to middle linebacker, the position he played for the Redskins (1968-70), the Rams (1971-72), and the Eagles (1973). According to Wikipedia, he and his twin brother appeared in The Three Stooges Meet Hercules in 1962.


#89 Bruce Gossett - Bruce had an 11-year career with the Rams (1964-69) and the 49ers (1970-74).


#90 Dave "Deacon" Jones - This 8-time Pro Bowler was a FOURTEENTH round pick for the Rams in 1961. He was a fixture at left defensive end for the Rams for 11 years, as a member of "The Fearsome Foursome". He was also the Chargers' starting left defensive end in 1972-73, before wrapping up his career in 1974 with the Redskins. Deacon was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.


#94 Merlin Olsen - Olsen was the Rams' #1 pick (3rd overall) in the 1962 NFL draft. (He was also the Broncos' #1 pick the same year.) He played his entire 15-year career as a starting defensive tackle for the Rams. He made the Pro Bowl in every season but his last, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982. After his playing career, he was an announcer, and starred in 2 TV series (Little House on the Prarie and Father Murphy). He died one month ago.


#87 Maxie Baughan - Maxie was the Eagles' 2nd-round pick in 1960. He started every game at right linebacker for the Eagles from 1960-65, and for the Rams from 1966 until 2/3 of the way through the 1970 season. After not playing from 1971-73, he suited up for 2 games with the Redskins in 1974. Maxie played in 9 Pro Bowls.


#95 Clancy Williams - Clancy was the Rams' 1st-round pick in 1965. He was their starting left cornerback from 1965-70, and a backup in 1971-72. He also returned kicks during his first 4 seasons.



#96 Rams Logo - The Rams played in Cleveland from 1937-45, and in Los Angeles from 1946-94, before moving to St. Louis.


Also check out the 1968 and 1971 Rams.

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Green Bay Packers

Here are the 1967 Green Bay Packers. They've just won Super Bowl I, and would go on to repeat in Super Bowl II. Every one of these players were voted either All-League, Pro Bowl, or both in the previous season. In fact, if you count 1 point for each of the 3 All-League votes (AP, UPI, NEA) and 1 point for a Pro Bowl selection, these 10 players accumulated 28 points! On top of all that, 7 8 of these 10 players are in the Hall of Fame!

Most of these cards are heavily scuffed, except for Willie Wood (which I got a few years ago) and Bart Starr (which I got this month).


#73 Packers Team - Your current and future champions!


#82 Bart Starr - MY 1967 BART STARR CARD JUST ARRIVED!
(This is the only place on the internet that you'll find this image.)
Starr was a lowly 17th-round pick for the Packers in 1956. He went on to play in 4 Pro Bowls, was the MVP in Super Bowls I and II, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.


#77 Forrest Gregg - Gregg was the Packers' 2nd-round pick in 1956, and was their starting right offensive tackle from 1959 through the 1969 season (although starting at left guard during 1965). After backing up in 1970, he joined the Cowboys for his final season in 1971. A 9-time Pro Bowler and 3-time Super Bowl participant, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.


#81 Bob Skoronski - Bob was the Packers' 5th-round pick in 1956, and played for them his entire career (1956, 1959-68). After starting at left offensive tackle as a rookie, he missed 2 seasons before rejoining the team in 1959. Bob regained his starting left tackle job in 1960, and held it for the remainder of his career, except for starting at center for the 1964 season. He made the 1966 Pro Bowl.


#76 Willie Davis - Davis was drafted by the Browns in 1956, but missed 2 seasons while in the Army. After playing for Cleveland in 1958 and 1959, Willie joined the Packers and was their starting left defensive end every season until retiring after 1969. He was a 5-time Pro Bowler, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.


#78 Henry Jordan - Jordan was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1957. After 2 seasons, he joined the Packers in 1959 and was the starter at right defensive tackle every season until his retirement after 1969. A 4-time Pro Bowler, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.

#79 Ray Nitschke - Ray was drafted by the Packers in 1958, and was their starting middle linebacker every season from 1958 to 1970. He hung on with Green Bay for 2 more seasons, retiring after 1972. I was surprised today to learn that he only made one Pro Bowl appearance (1964). Nitschke was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.


#80 Dave Robinson - Robinson was the {Packers' #1 pick in 1963. In 1964 he took over the starting left linebacker spot, and held it until retiring following the 1974 season (the final 2 seasons as a member of the Washington Redskins.)

2013 edit: Congrats to Dave Robinson! His 2013 induction to the Hall of Fame makes it 8 out of 10 players shown here!


#75 Lee Roy Caffey - Caffey was drafted by the Eagles and Oilers in 1963. After 1 season as the Eagles' starting left linebacker, Lee Roy joined the Packers and was their starting right linebacker from 1964 to 1969. He also played one season each for the Bears, Cowboys, and Chargers, retiring after the 1972 season.


#74 Herb Adderley - Herb's name is misspelled on this card. This 5-time Pro Bowler was a starting left cornerback for every one of his 12 seasons. He was the Packers' 1st-round pick in 1961, and played his final 3 seasons (1970-72) with the Cowboys. In between, he played in Super Bowls I, II, V, and VI. Adderley was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

#83 Willie Wood - The Packers' free safety played his entire career (1960-71) with the Packers. He was primarily a punt returner in his rookie season, and moved to strong safety for the 1965 and 1966 seasons. An 8-time Pro Bowler, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.


#84 Packers Logo - The 1st paragraph says it all.

Also check out the 1968 and 1971 Packers.


Coming March 23rd: Los Angeles Rams
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