Posts Tagged ‘dave butz’

I See Your Jess Atkinson & Raise You One Ali Haji-Sheikh

With the 2012 version of the Washington Redskins set to start training camp Thursday, I thought it would be fitting to revisit a trip I took to Carlisle, PA back in 1988. I made the trip north to PA from NOVA with my childhood friend Chris Hairfield and had the opportunity to watch the defending Super Bowl Champs prepare for the 1988 season. Along the way I scored a Super Bowl XXII poster and secured the autographs of 20+ Redskins. Twenty-four years later I’m certain that I have a one of kind piece of memorabilia here.

Among the autographs that I secured, I scored not 1, not 2…but 3 kickers! Despite the fact the Redskins drafted Chip Lohmiller in the 2nd round of the 88′ NFL draft, they still felt in necessary to bring 2 other horrible kickers to camp. I am 100% CERTAIN that I’m the only person in the world that has both a Jess Atkinson & Ali Haji-Sheikh autograph on the same poster.

I have 2/3′s of the Posse…Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders.

Ed Simmons signed his autograph on the awesome picture of his pancake block.

Wilber Marshall’s signature is upside down. I got Marshall’s autograph several times and he always signed upside down and backwards.

Dave Butz signed, it was his last season.

One of my favorite all-time Skins Neal Olkewicz signed, as did the late Mel Kaufman.

Looking at this poster brings back great memories. Hard to believe we are 6 months away from the 25th anniversary of the Redskins 1987 Super Bowl win and that amazing 2nd quarter against the Denver Broncos. Here’s to more memories, HTTR.

Cheers and Hail

6/22-23 Happy Birthday Dave Butz & Champ Bailey

Happy birthday Dave Butz. Dave played 14 seasons for the Redskins 1975-88. #65 appeared in 203 regular season games for the Redskins and won 2 Super Bowls. Tackles and sacks weren’t official stats for most of Dave’s career but I can tell you this…he made a lot of them. Dave is one of the 70 Greatest Redskins and was a Pro Bowler in 1983. Dave once played 176 consecutive games and never missed a practice during that streak…or in other words he’s the opposite of Albert Haynesworth. In retirement Dave has served on the board for the NRA and also enjoys drinking and hunting. Happy 60th Mr. Butz!

Happy birthday Champ Bailey. Champ played 5 seasons for the Redskins from 1999-2003. Champ made the Pro Bowl in 4 of those seasons and appeared in all 80 games during that span. Champ intercepted 18 balls and had 314 tackles in DC. Champ is now a 9-time Pro Bowler and a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. Who knows…he’s in his contract year, maybe he will reunite with the Redskins and Shanahan in 2011. Happy 32nd Mr. Bailey.

Cheers and Hail

Old Redskins Park Autographs Pt. 1

You’ve heard stories of my days spent at the old Redskins Park collecting autographs and memories. I thought I would start posting some of the collectibles I acquired during that time. Here’s a look at some of the football cards I had signed back in the 80′s. Next week I’ll post my 8×10 black & whites, which are my favorite items.

87 Topps Wilber Marshall. Wilber had a very unique way of signing; he’s left-handed and signs his name upside down and from right to left. Wilber was a bad ass!

1984 Topps Dexter Manley. There are many reasons to love this card, the mohawk is definitely one of them and the fact that Dexter even signed it “Mr. D” for me. Alas, this card and a few other autographs I obtained that day were F’d up by a faulty marker. Son of a…

1983 Topps Dexter Manley. Dexter was always super-cool and never at a loss for words…he was also so full of energy. The back of this card says that Dexter served as a Deputy Sheriff in Virginia…really?

1986 Topps Jim Lachey. Don’t remember a whole lot about the interactions with Jim other than he was quiet and polite. Thank you Bobby Beathard for the Jay Schroeder for Lachey swap.

1988 Topps Kelvin Bryant. Kelvin was one my favorite players during the 80′s. He was a great all-around back and had a 13 catch 130 yard 2 TD day against the Giants in 86′, it says so on the back of the card!

1984 Topps Joe Jacoby. Jake’s always been good to me, I’m hoping he’s the next Redskin in the Hall of Fame. All he did was block Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White and Too Tall Jones for a decade…and did it well.

1984 Topps Darrell Green. This is Darrell’s rookie card and is probably the only one in the group that’s worth much $$. Doesn’t matter, I wouldn’t sell any of these for any price…well I’d cut Bostic loose.

1979 Topps Doug Williams. This is also a rookie card and it’s mint. Doug also signed his SI Super Bowl cover for me, “To Doug, From Doug.” Unfortunately, it was with the same sucky marker Dexter used to sign “Mr. D.” Son of a…

1987 Topps Charles Mann. Charles was always super nice and cool. The faulty marker makes another appearance. Son of a…

1988 Topps Earnest Byner. Earnest was the consummate professional as a player and didn’t get the respect he deserved as a coach. Thanks Bobby Beathard for Mike Olpihant for Earnest Byner.

1982 Topps Dave Butz. Anyone remember the “Big Bad Butz” song made for Dave Butz? I need to find that, help me. I googled big bad butz and nothing but porn sites comes up. Per the back of Dave’s card “he performs week-in and week-out, playing often with injuries, and continues to get the job done in fine fashion.” I agree Topps, I agree.

1984 Topps Jeff Bostic. Jeff Bostic was not cool, he was not nice…it says so on the back of his card.

Cheers and Hail