Wednesday, June 19, 2013

1980 Houston Oilers Police


The Houston Oilers were the subject of just one police set, released in 1980 by several Houston-area police departments. New Oilers quarterback Ken Stabler is the key card here, and this is his only appearance in a police safety set. Linebacking great and snubbed Hall of Famer Robert Brazile can be found on one of several cards with outstanding action photos. Yet another card worth mentioning in this gem of a regional set is of legendary defensive lineman Curley Culp, whose last Topps card was issued in 1978 (making this 1980 specimen the last card issued during his playing career). Head Coach "Bum" Phillips appears on his only card as Head Coach of the Oilers. The set features action photos on the fronts, with the exception of Stabler and Phillips. A complete set consists of 14 cards, and the cards were sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, the Oilers and local law enforcement agencies.

While the set is somewhat hard to find, the absence of Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell has kept prices quite reasonable (I'm not sure why Campbell wasn't featured, but I'm guessing its probably a reason similar to why he wasn't on any Topps cards after 1979). 

When found online, a set will usually run in the $6 to $10 range.

Click here to find Oilers Police Cards on eBay

(00) Ken Burrough, WR
(12) Ken Stabler, QB
(14) Gifford Nielsen, QB
(18) Cliff Parsley, P
(26) Rob Carpenter, RB
(36) Carter Hartwig, DB
(47) Ronnie Coleman, RB
(52) Robert Brazile, LB
(54) Gregg Bingham, LB
(55) Carl Mauck, C
(78) Curley Culp, MG
(82) Mike Renfro, WR
(84) Billy Johnson, WR
Bum Phillips, Head Coach

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