Hall of Famers

A few years ago I posted the Hall of Famers in the 1967 (NFL only), 1968, 1971, and 1972 sets. 

There are the 38 Hall of Famers in the 1966 set, 3 more than the 1967 set.

As in the 1967 set, the Packers lead the way. This time with 7 players. 

 

Re-cap: 

7 - Packers 

5 - Colts

4 - Bears, Cowboys, Redskins

3 - Rams

2 - Browns, Lions, Vikings, Eagles

1 - Giants, Cardinals, 49ers

0 - Falcons, Steelers

 

Next: Extra Cowboys cards by RetroCards

Checklists & Miscellaneous Cards

Each of the Philly Gum sets (from 1964 to 1967) had 2 series, and a total of 198 cards.  As expansion teams were added in '66 and '67, they just decreased the number of cards per team.

I got both of these checklists a few months ago. They are as-is, and don't indicate which cards I have. 

 

The Philly Gum set also included a team photo card and a play card for each team (except the expansion Falcons). I posted both Eagles' cards in that team's post, but I don't have any others except for these 2 play cards below (and I don't expect to get the others). 

 

The top card is the Cowboys' Danny Villanueva kicking a field goal.  The other is the Lions' George Izo throwing a TD pass.

The back of each team photo card included a referee signal. Leftover signals were grouped on this Signals card (the same as in the 1967 set).  This signals card is in the worst condition of ALL my football cards.  I don't think I will replace it, as the money is better-spent on a player's card.

Next: Hall of Fame players in the 1966 set

 

Green Bay Packers

Here are the 1966 Green Bay Packers, winners of the first AFL-NFL World Championship Game (later renamed Super Bowl I). 

 

Vince Lombardi’s Packers won it all in ’61, ’62, and ’65, and would do so for the next 2 seasons as well. In 1966 they posted a 12-2 record, their only losses being a 1-point loss to the 49ers and a 3-point loss to the Vikings. They had a 1-point win over the Browns, but pretty much rolled over the other teams, including a 56-3 bulldozing of the expansion Falcons. 

 

The Paul Hornung card is a recent issue by RetroCards. They made 2 dozen other 1966 Packers cards, which I will post another time, but I needed one card to avoid a white hole in the picture below. 

 

Of the rest, I’ve had the Willie Wood card since the 1960s, and it’s probably the 2nd worst football card I have. (You’ll see the worst one in the next post.) Back in the day, I felt the need to correct his position from “halfback” to “FS”. 

 

Bart Starr – The Packers selected Starr in the 17th round in 1956. After starting just 1 game as a rookie, he started 11 of 12 games in 1957. Starr split the starts with others from 1958-60, but was the Packers’ full-time starting QB from 1961-67, and 1970. Although a 4-time Pro Bowler, he never led the league in yards, attempts, completions, or TD passes. (I guess because the Packers had a ball-control offense.) Starr was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977. 

 

Paul Hornung was the first overall pick in the 1957 draft. He played fullback for his first 2 seasons, then Lombardi moved him to halfback in 1959. From 1959-61 he started all but 1 game, made 2 Pro Bowls, and was named first-team All-Pro twice. He missed a few games in ’62, and was suspended for the entire 1963 season. 

 

Hornung returned to start every game in 1964, but missed several games in ’65 and ’66 (including Super Bowl I) due to injuries. He was selected by the Saints in the expansion draft, but missed the entire 1967 season due to lingering injuries from 1966. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. 

 

Jim Taylor – The Packers’ 2nd pick in 1958, Taylor only started 2 games as a rookie, but was the starting fullback from 1959-66. He started all but one game from 1960-66, and led the NFL with 1474 rushing yards in 1962 (the only year Jim Brown didn’t lead the league.) Taylor was a Pro Bowl selection every season from 1960-64, and a first-team All-Pro in 1962. He finished his career in 1967, starting every game for the expansion Saints. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976. 

 

Tom Moore was the Packers’ 1st-round pick in 1960, and was primarily the backup halfback from 1960-65. He started 6 games in 1962 filling in for Hornung, and was named to the Pro Bowl. He also started 12 games in 1963 due to Hornung’s suspension. Moore was the Rams’ starting halfback in 1966 and the Falcons’ starting fullback in 1967. 

 

Boyd Dowler was the Packers’ 3rd-round pick in 1959, and their starting flanker every season from 1959-69. He retired after the 1969 season, but returned for one season (1971) with the Redskins. Dowler made the Pro Bowl in ‘65 and ’67. His injury in the opening minutes of Super Bowl I paved the way for Max McGee to have a field day against the Chiefs. 

 

Forrest Gregg – The Packers’ 2nd-round pick in 1956, Gregg was a backup in ’56 and ’58 (missing 1957 for military service). With the arrival of Lombardi in 1959, Gregg was installed at right tackle and started every game there for the next 11 seasons (except for playing left guard in 1965). A 9-time Pro Bowler and 6-time first-team All-Pro, he was a backup tackle during his last season with the Packers (1970), then finished his career with the Cowboys in 1971. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977. 

 

Don Chandler was drafted by the Giants in 1956. He was their punter from 1956-64 and their kicker from 1962-64. He was the Packers’ kicker for his final 3 seasons (1965-67) and punter for ’65 and ’66. 

 

Willie Davis was drafted by the Browns in 1956, but did not play until 1958. After 2 seasons as a backup with Cleveland, Davis joined the Packers in 1960 and played every game at left defensive end for the remainder of his career (10 seasons), starting them all except for one game in his final season. He was a 5-time Pro Bowler and 5-time first-team All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

 

Ray Nitschke – The Packers’ 3rd pick in 1958, Nitschke was an outside linebacker for 3 seasons, then moved to the middle in 1961, where he was the starter through the 1970 season. He made the Pro Bowl in 1964 and was a 2-time first-team All-Pro selection. He spent his final 2 seasons as a backup, then retired after 1972. Nitschke was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978. 

 

Lee Roy Caffey was drafted by the Eagles in 1963. After one season, he came to the Packers in the Jim Ringo trade, and was the starting right linebacker for the next 6 seasons. Caffey made the Pro Bowl in 1965 and was first-team All-Pro in 1966. He started every game for the Bears in 1970, then played for the Cowboys in ’71 and Chargers in ’72. 

 

Herb Adderley was the Packers’ 1st-round pick in 1961. After a season on the bench, he was the starting left cornerback from 1962-69, and was a 5-time first-team All-Pro selection and made 5 Pro Bowls. He started for the Cowboys in his final 3 seasons (1970-72), and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980. 

 

Willie Wood – An undrafted free agent, Wood played his entire career (1960-71) for the Packers, never missing a game. A backup in his rookie season, he was the staring free safety every season except for playing strong safety in ’65 and '66. He led the NFL with 9 interceptions in 1962, and made 8 Pro Bowls along with 4 first-team All-Pro selections. Wood was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989. He’s one of three undrafted free agents to make the Hall of Fame that I’m aware of (Larry Little and Mick Tingelhoff are the others). 

 

 

Hall of Famers – 8 

 

Next: Wrapping up the original 1966 set

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys started up in 1960, and like any expansion team, they stunk – finishing with a 0-11-1 record. After posting losing records in their first 5 seasons, they finished at 7-7 in 1965. 

 

1966 was their first winning season (10-3-1), and their first of 8 consecutive playoff appearances, winning their division every season from 1966-71. After missing the post-season in 1974, they made it back for the next 9 seasons. 

 

During their 20-year string of winning seasons (1966-85) under Tom Landry, they appeared in five Super Bowls, winning two. 

 

Don Meredith and Chuck Howley are 2 of the 6 player cards I still need for this set. Of the other Cowboys' cards, I have had the Bob Hayes and Bob Lilly cards since the late-1960s, but got the rest in the past year.

 

Don Meredith was the Bears’ 3rd-round pick in 1960, but was traded to the Cowboys during training camp. He was the Cowboys’ starting QB from midway through 1962 until he retired following the 1968 season. He made the Pro Bowl in his final 3 seasons. 

 

Don Perkins was drafted by the Colts in 1960, and traded to the Cowboys shortly afterwards. He did not play in 1960, but was a starter for the Cowboys from 1961-68 (4 seasons at halfback, then switching to fullback in 1965). He made the Pro Bowl in his first 3 and last 3 seasons, and was named first-team All-Pro in 1962. 

 

Frank Clarke was drafted by the Browns in 1956. After 3 seasons as a backup end, he joined the Cowboys in 1960. A part-time player in 1960, he was their starting flanker from 1962-64, and starting tight end in 1965. Clarke led the NFL in receiving TDs in 1962, and was named first-team All-Pro in 1964. He finished his career as a backup for the Cowboys from 1966-67. 

 

Pete Gent – An undrafted free agent, Gent played for the Cowboys from 1964-68, and was their starting flanker in ’65 and ’66. 

 

Bob Hayes was drafted by the Cowboys in 1964, and was their starting split end every season from 1965-71, and again in 1973. After riding the Dallas bench in 1974, he played 4 games for the 49ers in 1975. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. 

 

Mike Connelly – Drafted by the Rams in 1959, Connelly was a backup guard for the Cowboys in 1960 and 1965-66, and their starting center from 1961-64 and again in 1967. He finished his career in 1968 as the Steelers’ backup center. 

 

Danny Villanueva was the Rams’ kicker from 1960-63, and their punter from 1960-64. He kicked and punted for the Cowboys from 1965-67. 

 

*Willie Townes was drafted in the 2nd round by the Cowboys in 1966, and was their starting left defensive end for his first 2 seasons. After one more season with Dallas he finished up with the Saints in 1970. 

 

George Andrie – The Cowboys’ 6th pick in 1962, Andrie was a starting defensive end for his first 10 seasons. He made the Pro Bowl every year from 1965-69. He retired after playing 3 games for the Cowboys in 1972. 

 

Bob Lilly was the Cowboys’ 1st pick in the 1961 draft. He started EVERY game for the Cowboys over his 14-year career, at left defensive end for 3 seasons, before moving to right defensive tackle. Lilly was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980. 

 

Chuck Howley was the Bears’ 1st-round pick in 1958, and was their backup linebacker for his first 2 seasons. After missing the 1960 season, he was a starting outside linebacker for the Cowboys for the next 12 seasons, making 6 Pro Bowls and having 5 first-team All-Pro selections. He was also named the MVP of Super Bowl V, despite the Cowboys losing. Howley was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. 

 

Cornell Green – An undrafted free agent, Green joined the Cowboys in 1962. After starting only 5 games in his rookie season, he started every game for the next 12 seasons. Initially the left cornerback, he moved to strong safety in 1970 when the Cowboys acquired Herb Adderley. Green was a 5-time Pro Bowler and 2-time first-team All-Pro selection. 

 

Mel Renfro was the Cowboys’ 2nd-round pick in 1964, and was a starting defensive back for his first 13 seasons (although missing 5 games in each of ’67 and ’76. He was also a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first 10 seasons. The free safety for his first 6 seasons, he moved to right cornerback in 1970 in the defensive backfield shuffle mentioned in Green’s write-up above. Renfro finished his career in 1977 as a backup corner. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996. 

 

Mike Gaechter played for the Cowboys from 1962-69. The starting left corner as a rookie, he spent the rest of his career at strong safety, starting in 1963 and from 1966-69. 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023 

 

Hall of Famers - 4

 

Next: Green Bay Packers 

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are often scorned as 1 of only 2 (pre-merger) team not to have appeared in a Super Bowl. But as you can see from the chart below, they kicked ass in the 1950s. They were in their league’s championship game every season from 1946 to 1955, winning it 7 times.  In fact, they finished 1st in their division for 17 of their first 24 seasons!

In 1966 they finished at 9-5. It was the only time from 1964 to 1969 that they didn’t finish first in their division. There was always the Packers or some other pesky team edging them out in the playoffs. 

 

The only 1966 Browns card I've had since the 1960s is Dick Schafrath's.  I got all the rest a few months ago, except for Jim Brown.  His card is out of my price range. 

Frank Ryan was the Rams’ 5th-round pick in 1958. He was a backup for 4 seasons, then joined the Browns in 1962. He and Jim Ninowski each started 7 games in ’62, then Ryan took over the starting role from 1963-67. After backing up Bill Nelsen in 1968, Ryan rode the Redskins’ bench from 1969-70, playing in 2 games but starting none. 

 

Jim Ninowski was drafted by the Browns in 1958 and backed up Milt Plum for 2 seasons. He was the Lions’ starting QB for 2 seasons, then returned to the Browns in 1962. He split the starting assignments with Frank Ryan that season, but rode Cleveland’s bench from 1963-66. After 2 years as the Redskins’ backup QB, he finished his career with the Saints in 1969. 

 

Ernie Green was drafted by the Packers in 1962, but played his entire career (1962-68) for the Browns. He was the starting halfback for 4 seasons, then after Jim Brown’s retirement following the 1965 season, he switched to fullback to make room for Leroy Kelly. Green made the Pro Bowl in ’66 and ’67. 

 

Jim Brown was the Browns’ 1st-round pick in 1957. He played 9 seasons for the Browns, starting every game at fullback and making the Pro Bowl each year. Except for 1962, he led the NFL in rushing each season and was named first-team All-Pro every season but ’62. He retired after the 1965 season, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971. 

 

Walter Roberts – An undrafted free agent, Roberts played for the Browns from 1964-66, starting every game at split end in 1965 in place of the injured Paul Warfield. He was the Saints’ starting flanker in 1967. After missing the 1968 season, he played for the Redskins from 1969-70. 

 

Gary Collins was the Browns’ 1st-round pick (4th overall) in 1962. He played his entire career (1962-71) with the Browns. In his first 6 seasons, he played in all but 1 game and was the starting flanker ever since his 2nd season. He missed 9 games in 1968, but reclaimed his starting job for his final 3 seasons. Collins made 2 Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro in 1969. He was also the Browns’ punter from 1962-67. 

 

John Morrow was drafted by the Rams in 1956. After playing guard in his rookie season, he was the Rams’ starting center for 2 years. He was the Browns’ starting center from 1960 to 1966, starting every game until missing 6 games in 1966. He was a 2-time Pro Bowler with the Browns. Morrow was selected by the Saints in the 1967 expansion draft, but chose to retire. 

 

Gene Hickerson – Drafted in the 7th round in 1957, Hickerson played his entire career (1958-1973) with the Browns, except for missing the 1961 season with a leg injury. He took over the starting right guard spot in his 2nd season, and played every game from 1963 onward (starting all but 4 times). A 6-time Pro Bowler and 3-time first-team All-Pro, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. 

 

Dick Schafrath – The Browns’ 2nd pick in 1959, Schafrath played defensive end as a rookie, then started at left offensive tackle every season from 1960 through 1971. He made 6 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1963-68, and was a 3-time first-team All-Pro selection from 1963-65. 

 

Paul Wiggin was drafted by the Browns in 1956, but did not play until 1957. A backup in ‘57, he was a starting end every season from 1958-1967, usually on the left side. Wiggin was a 2-time Pro Bowler, including his final season. 

 

Jim Houston – The Browns’ 1st pick in 1960, he was a defensive end for his first 3 seasons. Houston was the starting left linebacker from 1963-71, then played his final season (1972) as a backup. He was a 4-time Pro Bowler. 

 

Ross Fichtner was the Browns’ 3rd-round pick in 1960. After 2 seasons as a backup, he was a starting safety from 1962-67. He finished his career in 1968 as a backup with the Saints. 

 

Hall of Famers - 2 

 

Next time: Dallas Cowboys