1961 Fleer Earl Faison

Mike Ditka wasn't the only Rookie of the Year in Pro Football for the 1961 season. Earl Faison was named AFL Rookie of the Year. The All American from University of Indiana was drafted by both the Detroit Lions and the San Diego Chargers.  Although the Chargers were known for their offensive prowess, their defense had great nicknames. Faison and his linemates were known as the  "Fearsome Foursome" and the backs were known as the "Seven Bandits". 

This was only the second year for the AFL and already the Los Angeles Chargers had become the San Diego Chargers. Just prior to its first year, the AFL lost one of its 8 charter members, the Minnesota Vikings to the NFL the other owners scrambled to add the Oakland Raiders to the league.

1961 Ron Santo

This is a theme I started then abandoned some time ago. I wanted to put Topps baseball cards onto Topps football cards for no good reason at all. I took the same photo Topps used on the  baseball set from that year and put it on  the football cards from the same year.

Ok, I admit the 1961 Topps football cards are boring. This was probably not the best example to start with but since I decided on using Ron Santo and this was his rookie year, it is what it is.

The 1961 Fleer football was a bit better. It at least it included the team logo for a bit of color.