Bob Gladieux, 1973 Topps card

[Jay Z]

The 1973 Topps set is noted for some unique choices for card subjects. Remi Prudhomme? Chip Glass? But Bob Gladieux was something else again.

Gladieux was a running back, didn't play much from scrimmage. More noted for his special teams work. But Gladieux was unlikely to have any impact on the 1973 Patriots... since he'd been released by the 1972 Patriots late in the season. Wasn't even with the team any more by the time the cards were put together. Whoops. Gladieux did go to camp in 1973 with the Chiefs, though he was released in early August.

[JWL]

I have that card and it makes me think of Beavis.

[Citizen]

'73 was their first 528-card set after years of sticking with 263. But even those smaller sets had some weird choices -- neither Travis Williams nor Dave Hampton had a Topps card while with the Packers, but Larry Krause did.

With 624 starting players in the NFL at the time (if you include kickers and punters), they shouldn't have had to resort to the Bob Gladieuxs of the world, at least in theory.

[rhickok1109]

His teammates called him "Harpo."

[SixtiesFan]

I've always remembered Bob Gladieux for catching a TD pass (I saw it on TV at the time) in the 1966 Notre Dame-Michigan State "Game of the Century" which ended in a 10-10 tie.

[Jay Z]

'73 was their first 528-card set after years of sticking with 263. But even those smaller sets had some weird choices -- neither Travis Williams nor Dave Hampton had a Topps card while with the Packers, but Larry Krause did.

With 624 starting players in the NFL at the time (if you include kickers and punters), they shouldn't have had to resort to the Bob Gladieuxs of the world, at least in theory.

One possible explanation for Gladieux being in the set is that Carl Garrett had been traded to the Bears before the cards went to press. Topps had a standard that every team would be represented by 19 players. Garrett subtracted one, and the Patriots didn't add anyone in trade worthy of a card. Gladieux played the same position as Garrett, he substituted for Garrett in the group of 19.

The Patriots 1973 cards did not include any specialists. This proved a wise move by Topps, as both specialists were terrible and were replaced for 1973. 11 offensive players were featured. All were starters in 1972 (save Gladieux) except for Halvor Hagen, who was featured as the fifth lineman instead of starter Bob Reynolds. This was unfortunate, as Reynolds was never featured on a Topps card despite appearing in three Pro Bowls.

The remaining eight cards featured Patriots defenders. Three linemen, one linebacker (Jim Cheyunski), and four defensive backs. Rick Cash was the starting lineman not featured. He started again in 1973, and was rewarded with a card in the 1974 Topps set. The missing linebackers were Ed Weisacosky and Ron Acks. Acks started in 1973 as well, but never had a football card. Weisacosky did not start in 1973, but had been featured in the 1970 set as a Dolphin. Also, Honor Jackson led the 1972 Patriots in interceptions and was a starter, but was not featured; John Outlaw and Clarence Scott (not the Brown) got cards despite playing less.

But the 1972 Patriots' defense was terrible. The 1972 Patriots offense was poor, but the defense was considerably worse. Do we really want to reward that defense by giving them another football card? Maybe not. Bob Reynolds deserved a card most of all, but Halvor Hagen is the cause of that. In light of all this, choosing a Bob Gladieux type for a card doesn't seem so bad. Too bad he was no longer on the team.

(As far as Travis Williams is concerned, oddly enough he was featured on the Kelloggs 3-D cards as a Packer. And on Topps cards as a Ram!)