After an excellent career at the University o Illinois, Doug Dieken was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 6th round of the 1971 NFL Draft. The star tackle would go on to play 203 games over 14 seasons all with the Browns. A true ironman, he never missed a game. Upon retirement, he became a broadcaster for the Browns.
For his efforts, Topps gave him a card in their sets from 1974-1984, missing 1972, '73 and '85. Fear not though, for I have filled in those gaps. As I have written many times, I think all players deserve cards for every year, but a player of Dieken's caliber definitely deserved a "career capper" card and I always like the '895 Topps football cards anyway.
1 comment:
Back in the 1960s and 1970s, the baseball sets DID include every player on the team, while the football sets would only include 8 to 12 players per team (before 1973) and about double that beginning in 1973.
I can see why all football players are not included, given the huge roster size, and the sometimes short-term nature of the backups' careers. But all the starters should at least be included.
Last year I discovered the thecowboysguide.com website, which has created (for sale) many football cards supplementing the original issues. They are mostly for Cowboys, Packers, and Bears, but other teams are included as well, especially for the 1963 and 1966 sets.
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