TTM Stats
- Sent: 3/6/2018 | Received: 4/13/2018 | 37 Days
- ’81 Topps
- Address: Home
The Story of the Autograph
Joe Cribbs played running back in the NFL and USFL from 1980 through 1988. He played with the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, and Miami Dolphins in the NFL and with the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL.
Cribbs grew up in Alabama and went to school at Auburn. He was there along with William Andrews and James Brooks who also went on to play in the NFL. He had some great years at Auburn in 1978 and 1979 when he rushed for 1,200+ with 16 touchdowns and 1,100+ yards with 14 touchdowns in those years. He was drafted by the Bill is in the second round of the 1980 Draft.
He made an immediate impact in the NFL. In 1980 he was named the AFC Rookie of the Year and was a starter in the Pro Bowl. He would also make the Pro Bowl in 1981 and 1983. But even in the strike-shortened 1982 season he led the league in rushing yards per game. But as well as he played in Buffalo, he wasn’t very happy there. He had one year left on his contract with the Bills when he left for the USFL.
The Bills took Cribbs to court and challenged his contract with the Stallions. The original contract was designed to protect against no collective bargaining agreement so that the Bills got the first right of refusal. But while the contract was meant for the NFL, it didn’t prohibit the USFL teams from signing Cribbs. The judge ruled in Joe’s favor and he played the 1984 and 85 seasons in Birmingham. He was a star with the Stallions, but the league would fold in 1985.
Joe returned to Buffalo for the 1985 season, then a few other teams after that. He would never be as good in his second stint in the League as he was during his first.
The Score on Joe Cribbs – 2.0
This one is just disappointing as all ball-point pen signatures seem to be on cards. It’s small and it’s ball point and there’s not much else to say about it.
Thanks for taking the time to sign Mr. Cribbs, but I have to give this one a 2.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Pro Football Reference.