Sunday, October 30, 2016

Cards That Never Were: Earl Morrall

This is a recurring series in which I create virtual cards for players who were omitted from the original sets.  It's a concept I borrowed from too many others to mention, but I thank them all.

Earl Morrall had a 21 year career in the NFL.  While he was mostly known as a backup, he had some brilliant moments and would definitely be one of the best backups ever.  He started 102 games, including 9 during the Miami Dolphins magical 1972 season.  Everyone remembers the perfect season, but Morrall's contributions are often overlooked.
Speaking of being overlooked, Morrall was also overlooked in several football card sets.  I have done my best to correct these omissions.
Morrall played from 1956 through 1976.  Topps gave him cards in 1957 and 1958.  The gave him one in 1960, but after then not until 1969.  They continued including Morrall from 1971-1973, skipped him in 1974 and 1975 and gave him one last card in 1976.
I created cards for Morrall for 1959, '61-'63, '66-'68, '74-'75 and even a career capper for 1977.  Yes, I know I missed 1964 and '65.  I ran out of pictures of Morrall with the Lions.  I had already reused his picture for the second card, although Topps did some of that back in those days, anyway.  I just didn't want to go to that well again.  Still, my eleven missing Morrall cards do fill in most of the gaps.

1 comment:

Jim from Downingtown said...

In 1968 Morrall was with the Colts. (Played in the SB vs. the Jets.)