Andy Russell, who played linebacker for twelve seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, passed away on February 29. He was 82. Russell was selected for the Pro Bowl seven times, and he was named a First-Team All-Pro in 1975. He played in Super Bowl IX, a 16-6 win against the Minnesota Vikings, and in Super Bowl X, a 21-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys. He was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2017.
Today’s card of the day is Russell’s rookie card, a 1968 Topps. The front of the card shows him in my favorite football card pose, a head-and-shoulders shot of the player about to put on his helmet. Unfortunately, the back of the card is a piece to a Len Dawson puzzle, so it doesn’t include the usual player bio, stats, and cartoon.
Russell appeared on a lot of other cards, as well. Two of my favorites are a 1968 KDKA Steelers card that shows Russell with his fellow linebackers, and Russell’s 1969 Topps card, which pictures him in his Steelers “Batman” jersey. You can see all of Russell’s cards in the Gallery.
