I Can't Believe It's Not Cardboard - Highlighting Other Personal Collectibles (Cereal Poster)

Long gone are the days when the best part of pouring a bowl of cereal was seeing what treasure would fall from the box. But it felt good the time I was perusing some Steelers cards at my LCS years ago and came upon this little gem. Those morning memories came rushing back.  

This is the 1982 Kellogg's Raisin Bran NFL Super Bowl Sweepstakes Poster for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  There were 28 total posters that were inserted in "specially marked" boxes of Raisin Bran. Definitely not the cereal of choice in my household but my grandparents always had the anti-sugary likes of Raisin Bran, Wheaties, or Rice Krispies.

The poster's are all 8x10 in size and are printed on a really thin stock paper, not quite tissue paper but very light weight.  If you look at the design, there is a black border around the picture, which features a colored painting of various team scenes. The paintings/sketches were done by artist K. Akin, but I have no idea anything about them.  On the Steelers painting, we have Terry Bradshaw on the left dropping back to pass, Jack Lambert in his stance ready to attack at the top left, Lynn Swann turning into his full stride after catching a pass on the middle/right side, and a punter (Craig Colquitt I assume). Interestingly enough, I'm guessing these were never licensed by the players but only the NFL, hence why the logos, colors and representation are there but all the numbers are sort of blocked out or masked and the faces are off from the real players (we know who they are though). The team name is printed along the bottom of the painting and the fine print at the very bottom has the Kellogg's copyright on the left and the NFL copyright on the right.  

I didn't show it because I have mine framed and hung on the wall, but the back of the poster has all of the official contest rules and the entry form for the "Sweepstakes".  Essentially, if the team that was on the picture you received ended up winning the 1983 Super Bowl, you filled out the entry form and mailed in the poster. Kellogg's would take all the winners and randomly draw 500 entries to receive a Spalding leather football (a real one not a knockoff), and four Grand Prize winners received a trip to the 1984 Super Bowl.  

Unfortunately, I didn't win since by the time I picked this up, it was probably 30+ years later. I wouldn't have won anyway either since the champ's that year were the Washington Redskins. 

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I Can't Believe It's Not Cardboard - Highlighting Other Personal Collectibles (Mean Joe Bobble)

What Pittsburgh Steeler fan's collection would be complete without something referencing the classic Coke commercial featuring "Mean" Joe Greene? The answer? None. 

Back in 2003, FunKo Toys teamed up with Coca-Cola to commemorate the iconic TV commercial that featured Mean Joe with their Wacky Wobbler Bobblehead.  The figure features the likeness of Mean Joe in his #75 Steeler's jersey and he is holding a bottle of Coke in his left hand.  I don't have the box for this, nor did I ever. This was given to me many years ago just like you see it here. It lives on a shelf of other Steelers trinkets in my hobby room/office. 

If I did have the box though, you could read the story on the back. It says:

"On October 1, 1979, The Coca-Cola Company released an ad that captivated audiences. "Mean Joe Greene" featured the defensive lineman from the Pittsburgh Steelers, a professional football team, and 12-year-old Tommy Okon.

The ad was filmed at a stadium in New Rochelle, New York. Joe and Tommy performed countless retakes over the three days of filming, with Greene consuming 18 16-ounce bottles of Coca-Cola the final day alone.

The ad was immensely popular, sparking a surge of letters to The Coca-Cola Company. The ad won that year's CLIO advertising awards competition and Greene took home the award for best actor.  The Coca-Cola Company followed the ad up with a promotion to "Win the Shirt off My Back", distributing thousands of replica jerseys to winning entrants.

The Coca-Cola Company repeated the ad's concept in various parts of the world. Brazil, Argentina, and Thailand all produced versions of the commercial following the same plot line but featuring renowned football (soccer) players from each country. 

"Mean Joe Greene" then continued its life as a made-for-TV movie airing in 1981. Joe Greene starred in the movie recreating the ad and telling the story of what happened after the ad ended.

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Sunday Steeler 6-pack

This is the ninth installment of a the Sunday Steeler 6-Pack.  This week is an uphill battle against the New England Cheatriots.  We haven't won in Foxboro in ages.  In fact, since Brady became the starter, we are  0-2.  But if there is a year to change that, it's this year.  The Pats defense is succeptable and their offense has struggled (at least as far as a Tom Brady offense can struggle).  We shall see.

Each Sunday of the NFL season, I will feature 6 random cards from my Pittsburgh Steelers' PC.  There is no rhyme or reason for any of them, just 6 random cards I pull out of one of my many boxes or binders of black and gold (and there are MANY) and maybe a comment or two.

Here we go...


No comments today.  Just cards...

 2009 Philadelphia Football James Harrison

 1995 Fleer Flair Rod Woodson

 2006 Upper Deck All Upper Deck Team Troy Polamalu

 2010 Topps Chrome Xfractor Maurkice Pouncey RC

 1980 Topps Rocky Bleier

1956 Topps Frank Varrichione

Sunday Steeler 6-Pack

This is the seventh, or eight (I forget) installment of a the Sunday Steeler 6-Pack.  We got another win last week against the evil Ravens.  That put us in a great position if we actually can keep it up.  I'm hopeful but won't be surprised if we can't.  Either way, it is always nice to get a win against our division teams.

This week....the Raiders.  We haven't won in Oakland since 1995.  Let's hope we can change that.

Each Sunday of the NFL season, I will feature 6 random cards from my Pittsburgh Steelers' PC.  There is no rhyme or reason for any of them, just 6 random cards I pull out of one of my many boxes or binders of black and gold (and there are MANY) and maybe a comment or two.

Here we go...

 1948 Bowman Chuck Cherundolo #50

By far my oldest Steeler card, this 1948 Bowman is a beaut.  The best part is cost me less than a couple bucks.  I'll buy that all day.  Check out that leather helmet.  I wonder if Polamalu would still hit guys as hard if he had to play with a leather helmet?  I'm guess...yeah, probably.

 1996 Playoff Contenders Genuine Leather Jerome Bettis #36

This card is made of leather.  At least it sure feels like it is.  I guess that is the point.  The card is real thick and even has the leather smell.  I'm not real sure I understand the little quiver lines around the bus but still it's a nice card.  We could sure use the bus these days.

 2010 Epix Jason Worilds Rookie Auto #'d/499

 2010 Certified Immortals Jack Lambert #182  #'d/999

Oh so shiny.  So unbelievably shiny.

 2013 Bowman White Jarvis Jones #120

This is the white parallel.  At least I think.  I don't remember what the normal cards look like.  I know there are black parallels, blue, green, red, orange, purple, mauve, chartreuse, pink, fruit-stripe, emerald green, light blue, steel, grass green, off white, ecru, eggshell, off-black, and clear.

 2013 Topps 1959 Mini Ben Roethlisberger #99

Sunday Steeler 6-Pack

This is the sixth installment of a the Sunday Steeler 6-Pack.  We finally got our first win last week...only after I posted two of these Six Packs.  Maybe that was the reason??  Or the fact that we played the Jets.  Actually the Jets are a lot like the Steelers.  You never know which team you are going to get week to week.

Each Sunday of the NFL season, I will feature 6 random cards from my Pittsburgh Steelers' PC.  There is no rhyme or reason for any of them, just 6 random cards I pull out of one of my many boxes or binders of black and gold (and there are MANY) and maybe a comment or two.

Here We Go!

1991 Pinnacle Dermontti Dawson

I don't know why all my Dermontti Dawson card scans look all funky like this.  Weird.

2009 Bowman Red Parallel Lamarr Woodley

I have posted on here the white version and regular version too before.  Maybe even this one.  I don't know.

1971 Topps Dave Smith

You can see this is a little banged up.  I think I have a better version of it but that wasn't the scan I had.  Smith led the team in Touchdowns in 1971 with five.  It would have been 6 had it not been for the other incident he is known for against the Chefs on Monday Night Football.  After catching a pass from Bradshaw, sprinting 50 yards to paydirt, and celebrating by pumping the ball over his head as he approached the goal line, the ball slipped from his hands, rolling through the endzone and out the back for a touchback.  I'm sure many of you have seen it on the all-time blooper highlight reels.  I know I have.

1955 Bowman Ted Marchibroda

While probably best known for his coaching stints with the Redskins (I can still call them that, right?), Colts, Bears, Lions, Eagles, Bills, Colts again, and Ravens, he was actually a player.  He was drafted in 1953 by the Steelers, played one season, then joined the Army.  After returning, he played parts of another two seasons in Pittsburgh, including starting 11 games in 1956 (he was 4-7 with 12 TD passes) before heading to the Cardinals for a year.

2008 Topps Stadium Club

I picked this card, not for Ben, but for the two guys blocking for him.  There we have Marvel Smith and Alan Faneca.  These guys were two of the most important players on the Steelers offensive line and they are a big reason why we won two Super Bowl rings.  Unfortunately, age and free agency kicked in.  Faneca went to the Jets for an unheard of salary.  Smith had back problems that kept him from being resigned and after signing with the 49ers in 2009, he retired.

2006 Upper Deck Super Bowl XL Casey Hampton

This is from the commemorative set issued by Upper Deck, seemingly after every Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, etc.

Sunday Steeler 6-Pack BONUS (sort of)

The fifth installment of a the Sunday Steeler 6-Pack, on schedule at normal time.  There are two this week because I inadvertently forgot last weeks.

Each Sunday of the NFL season, I will feature 6 random cards from my Pittsburgh Steelers' PC.  There is no rhyme or reason for any of them, just 6 random cards I pull out of one of my many boxes or binders of black and gold (and there are MANY) and maybe a comment or two.

Here We Go!

 2009 Topps Magic Rashard Mendenhall RC

Here we have Mendy in his Fighting Illini uniform.  This was a feature of the Topps Magic set in 2009.

2008 Upper Deck SP Rookie Edition Hines Ward

Hines Ward was considered by many NFL players as "dirty".  Those guys were evidently the ones that he knocked on their asses each week.  And he did it all with a smile on his face.

2009 Mayo Cut Plug Mini Terry Bradshaw

Another TB mini.  This time it's a Mayo's Cut Plug Mini.  Not sure where I got this because I know I never opened any of that product.

2007 Panini Threads Generations Ronnie Lott/Troy Polamalu

Two guys with some of the most ferocious hits of all time.  Did you ever see Ronnie Lott's fingers?  They are gross.  Seriously gross.  Imagine how much faster Troy would be without the wind resistance of his hair...

1977 Topps Mel Blount (All Pro) 

Mel was always one of my favorite Dynasty Era Steelers.  The guy was arguably one of the most physical cornerbacks of his day, roaming the secondary, looking for a guy to knock his head off.  They don't make him quite like Mel today.  Closest thing would probably be Troy but even that is a stretch.

1971 Topps Terry Hanratty

Hanratty was drafted in 1969 to be the starting QB.  He played a few games as starter but was quickly replaced by the #1 pick in 1970...Terry Bradshaw.  He spent the majority of the rest of his career backing up Terry, suiting up for a Super Bowl and playing in another.  He was also picked in the expansion draft by Tampa Bay and has the dubious distinction of helping lead them the only win less season in NFL history.

Sunday Steeler 6-Pack (A Week Late)

The fourth installment of a the Sunday Steeler 6-Pack.  It's brutal to watch every Sunday.  I'm beginning to wonder if we are ever going to win.  I even forgot to post this last Sunday.  I must have been celebrating the Bye Week win!!

Each Sunday of the NFL season, I will feature 6 random cards from my Pittsburgh Steelers' PC.  There is no rhyme or reason for any of them, just 6 random cards I pull out of one of my many boxes or binders of black and gold (and there are MANY) and maybe a comment or two.

2008 Score Select Gold Zone Ike Taylor 

1980 Topps  '79 AFC Championship Game Highlight 

Here is a nice shot of Rocky Bleier cutting up the Oilers defense.  In the background is Mike Webster looking on after probably throwing a nice block to open up a hole and on the ground is Gerry Mullins throwing a nice cut block on Greg Bingham.   

1991 Enor Hall of Fame Art Rooney 

1970 Topps Chuck Allen

What are you so smiley about? 

2008 Topps Bruce Davis 

Is Brucey doing his best Elvis hip shake here or is he running some kind of play?

2007 Upper Deck James Farrior

Sunday Steeler 6-pack

The third installment of a new "feature" here on The Real DFG is the Sunday Steeler 6-Pack.  Each Sunday of the NFL season, I will feature 6 random cards from my Pittsburgh Steelers' PC.  There is no rhyme or reason for any of them, just 6 random cards I pull out of one of my many boxes or binders of black and gold (and there are MANY) and maybe a comment or two.  We haven't won a game so far in 2013 but hopefully that will change this week in London.

Here We Go!

 2012 Leaf Draft Red David DeCastro Autograph

DeCastro had so much upside until last season when he took an injury that put him on the sideline for all of 2012.  This year was to be his big debut as a starter in Black and Yellow.  Now his legacy isn't his injury...it's the one he caused to Markice Pouncey in the first game of the season.  Pouncey is now out for the season and the Steelers are 0-3 without much protection for Ben up the middle.  Todd Haley said last week that he still thinks the incident is haunting DeCastro.  I don't know if that's the case or not but if it is, he needs to get past it.  Things happen.  This is going to be a long season.

 1992 Topps Dermontti Dawson

I don't know why this picture is so grainy.  I had to have cropped it from something instead of scan it.  I do have the card though (probably many of them.  Dawson is one of the latest Steeler inductions into Canton, back in 2012.

2006 Topps DPP Heath Miller

Boy it sure was nice to see HEEEEEATH out there last week against the Bears.  He only had 3 receptions for 35 yards but that option has been missing from Ben's repertoire all season.  His blocking skills and ability to catch the ball 5-10 yards down the field are unmatched.  This guy brings it, every game.

 2011 Tristar OBAK Football Mini Terry Bradshaw

Fresh out of college....this picture must have been taken not long after Terry donned the Black and Yellow.  Just think....He could have been a Bear.  Shudder.

 1984 Topps Jack Lambert

One of the most menacing players to ever put on a helmet.  This guy's face alone struck fear into opposing offenses.  He was a beast.  But I compare his style of play to today's guys.  I would guess in today's No Fun League, his 11 years of service would have netted him 44 games of suspensions and the equivalent of Peyton Manning's $18 Million/year salary in fines.  Give or take a few game ejections.  Now that's American football.

1969 Topps Bobby Walden

This Georgia Bulldog had been playing in the CFL and the Minnesota Vikings before coming to the Steelers in 1969.  He was their punter in Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X.  You don't find many cards of punters in todays card releases.  I think the last ones come from Topps Total maybe?  I don't know.  There are probably some in the larger flagship Topps sets too I suppose.

Sunday Steeler 6-Pack

The second installment of a new "feature" here on The Real DFG is the Sunday Steeler 6-Pack.  Each Sunday of the NFL season, I will feature 6 random cards from my Pittsburgh Steelers' PC.  There is no rhyme or reason for any of them, just 6 random cards I pull out of one of my many boxes or binders of black and gold (and there are MANY) and maybe a comment or two.

Here We Go!

1976 Wonder Bread Franco Harris

Franco looks kind of confused on this card.  I think he isn't sure why he is posing in front of a bread truck.  At least the Wonder Bubble's on the packaging are the same colors as the diamonds on his logo.

1988 Swell Greats John Henry Johnson

John Henry Johnson was the first "Bus" in Pittsburgh, weighing in officially at 210lbs but playing closer to 225.  He made opponents on the defense fear him because he would hit them almost harder than they would hit him.  In six years with the Steelers, he rushed for 4,383 yards and held a team record 1,141 in 1962 until that guy right above here broke it in 1975.  He still holds two of the top six franchise rushing performances with 200 yards against the Browns and 182 vs. the Eagles.

This comes from the Swell Football Greats set which I used to see all the time but rarely find anymore.  I remember having a few packs of these back in the day.  I think they were in packs of 10 or 12.  I don't remember exactly but I know you could get complete sets of them that were cello wrapped.  The set cards had notches taken out of the tops though but the packs didn't.

2006 Fleer Focus Star Studded Die-Cut Plaxico Burress

All that promise.  All that potential.  All that...EGO!  Plax could have been great.  He could have been legendary.  But his antics, over-the-top attitude, and desire for a grander stage took him to places that he would soon regret.  Bad mouthing the team, making disparaging comments about the organization, leaving for more money, shooting himself in a club, serving jail time all followed.  But after all that, the Steelers gave him another opportunity.  Whether he would have made the team after camp is left to be seen.  Now, after a bad rotator cuff injury, we may have finally seen the last of Plax.

2007 Topps James Farrior

"James was named one of our captains each of the past eight years and that speaks volumes to what he has meant to so many great defenses.  He has been a leader for our defense on the field and an ambassador for the Steelers in the community.  We appreciate everything James has done and truly wish him nothing but the best." - - Steeler's President Art Rooney after announcing the release of Farrior in 2012.

1996 Steelers Team Schedule

"Well that's not a card at all," you say.  I know.  It isn't.  I collect this kind of stuff too.  Especially for my Pittsburgh teams.  I have about 30 or so team schedules of all different stuff.

Lets see...how did the Stillers do in the 1996 season.  They just came off a big loss in the Super Bowl, usually they have that one horrible year after decent playoff runs...They finished 10-6...better than I anticipate this years team to do.  In 1996, they finished 1st in the AFC Central, decimated the Colts in the Wild Card game, but lost the Pats in the Divisional Game.  Not likely to see that happen this year.

1968 Topps Bill Saul

I will admit that I don't know a lot about Saul.  I know he was from Butler, Pennsylvania (a hometown boy).  I know he went to Penn State.  I know he was a Steeler for the longest part of his career and he played for three other teams as well.  I don't know what kind of player he was or anything like that.  But something else I know, he was the first player ever miked up by NFL Films during the taping of a live game.  That's something, right?  

This is technically his rookie card (might even be his only card), although he is pictured here in a Baltimore Colts uniform and he had already played two seasons for them and four for Pittsburgh by the time this card was made.  You would think Topps would have had at least one picture of him in a Steelers uniform, wouldn't you?

Sunday Steeler 6-Pack

A new "feature" here on The Real DFG is the Sunday Steeler 6-Pack.  Each Sunday of the NFL season, I will feature 6 random cards from my Pittsburgh Steelers' PC.  There is no rhyme or reason for any of them, just 6 random cards I pull out of one of my many boxes or binders of black and gold (and there are MANY) and maybe a comment or two.

Here We Go!

1971 Topps Andy Russell

One of my favorite Steeler Nation story Russell tells is from a trip he made to Russia for his business.  While shopping at an outdoor mall in Moscow, he found a table of nesting dolls.  This was nothing out of the ordinary, of course, but one in particular caught his attention.  Among the traditional hand carved child toys was one with a familiar black and gold hue.  He had found a Pittsburgh Steelers nesting doll, all the way in Moscow, Russia.  The Steel Curtain...in the former Iron Curtain.  It started with Jack Lambert, then Joe Greene, Franco, Bradshaw, and finally had Lynn Swann.  He recalled,

"There weren't any other football teams or American figures displayed, just this one.  I know there are Steeler fans in every city, but Moscow?"  He laughed, "Swann will be ticked he was the smallest one."

 2001 Bowman Casey Hampton (RC)

"The way I see it, you never know when your last play is going to be.  So you should go hard all the time.  There's no reason to take a play off."   - - Casey Hampton quoted in the Daily Texan, 2000

1996 Donruss Greg Lloyd

One of my top five All-Time favorite Steelers.  Possibly even the top.  Intensity, Ferocity, Relentless Pursuit, Pure Nastiness...That was Greg Lloyd.

2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces Red Border Patch Limas Sweed

Worst draft pick in Steelers history.  There.  I said it. 

1986 Topps John Stallworth

I could have scanned a card in better shape.  But this card is important in my collection.  Not because it's valuable.  Not because it is some "Holy Grail" type card.  Not even because it is part of some sub-collection in my PC.  This is important because I got this card when I was 11 years old and I still have it today.  I have multiple copies of this now.  Maybe even dozens, all in better condition.  But this one, bent corners, scuff marks, worn edges and all, is by far my favorite of all my Stallworths.

1958 Topps Jack Butler

One of the latest Steeler editions to Canton (2012), Butler deservedly went in as a senior member, not only for his accomplishments on the field, but for what he did for football and the NFL.  Jack spent 46 years of his life after an injury forced early retirement in 1959, working as the director of the BLESTO Scouting Combine.  He is responsible for helping in the transition of over 75,000 college athletes over to the pros through the process now known simply as the NFL Combine.