1963 Topps Paul Flatley

Paul Flatley was drafted in 1963 by both the Denver Broncos in the AFL and the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. The Northwestern receiver elected to remain in purple. He helped the Viking improve to a 5-8-1 record, their best finish in their 3 year history. He was voted Rookie of the Year in 1963 on the strength of 4 TDs and 867 receiving yards.

Flatley played 8 years in the NFL the first 5 in Minnesota and his final 3 for the Atlanta Falcons. The All-Pro receiver was fairly well represented on cardboard. He had Philadelphia cards from 1967-67 and Topps cards from 1968-70. But he didn't have a card for his rookie season. So here is his 1963 Topps rookie Card That Never Was. In the photo he seems to be contemplating the wisdom of choosing a single-bar facemask.

1963 Ron Santo

Here is a side by side comparison between the 1963 Topps football and baseball cards. In 1963 Topps produced football cards for the NFL while the AFL appeared on Fleer cards

Fleer also began making cards of current baseball players in 1963 only to be halted after only 66 cards. Ron Santo was one of the players to appear in that set. So we have the opportunity to view them side by side as well.

2011 Fantasy Football Cards

Football season starts today and that means fantasy football. I know this doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the blog, but it's my blog so I get to do what i want. I made a few cards of the players I drafted on my team, "Uncle John's Band". Even put my logo on a few helmets.