I'll start with some 1956 Topps style football quarterbacks, some are vintage players while there are also modern players in "Retro" style.
"Zeke" Bratkowski was a quarterback in the National Football League for fourteen seasons with the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, and Green Bay Packers. Played his college ball at Georgia where he was considered one of college football's greatest quarterbacks of his day and was the NCAA's all-time leading passer until 1961. Bratkowski was selected 17th overall in the second round of the 1953 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears as a "future choice" and joined the Bears as a rookie in 1954. Won 3 NFL Championships and 2 Super Bowl over his career.
Dan Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973, through 1987. He was one of the most prolific passing quarterbacks during the 1970s, and 1980s, but the Chargers were unable to make it to the Super Bowl during his fifteen-year career. He led the NFL in passing yards four straight years from 1979 to 1982 and became the first player in history to throw for 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.
Patrick Bailey graduated in 2004 from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio and played college football at Duke. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and won Super Bowl XLIII with them. He was cut on September 4, 2010, during the Steelers' final roster cuts.
Ken Berry had the natural gift of scoring goals, in 1977-78 he popped home 57 goals and 130 points in 65 games for the Bellingham Blazers of the BCJHL. He was called up for the last five games of the New Westminster Bruins regular season and was also a key contributor in the playoffs, helping the club to its second consecutive Memorial Cup championship. During the 1979-80 season he took a one-year leave from school when he was presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity to play for his country on the Canadian National Team which culminated with a spot on the 1980 Olympic Team. Although Canada failed to medal in Lake Placid, it was an invaluable experience for Berry. Late in the 1985-86 NHL season, Berry was approached by Canadian National Team coach Dave King about returning to the club to play internationally. He spent two full seasons with the team with the final goal being a participant in his second Olympics. There was added incentive with the 1988 Games being held in Calgary. Despite a strong effort, Canada again went home disappointed, failing to medal.
Paul Lawless was chosen in the first round, 14th overall, by the Hartford Whalers in 1982. After playing 47 games for Hartford in 1982-83, he struggled the next year and was returned to junior where he earned a spot on the league's second all-star team. By the mid-'80s, he was a solid role player on the improved Whalers and scored 22 goals when the club finished first in the Adams Division in 1986-87. Lawless lost his place in the line-up early in 1987-88 and ended up skating for the Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks before the season was over. He was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in February 1989 but played only a handful of games for his hometown club.
You can purchase these cards, or any of my Missing Link creations, for $10 each postpaid, or $7.95 each for 3 or more. Email me at: [email protected], volume discounts available on larger orders.