If You Build It, They Will Come

        Profile Everett Lindsay was born in Burlington*, Iowa and played in the NFL for 11 years, mostly with the Minnesota Vikings** as an offensive tackle.  He was raised in North Carolina and has returned as a coach for Brevard College.   * Others notable from Burlington : (MLB)Steve Macko/Jack Hamilton/Matt Perisho , (NFL) Tony Baker/Kurt Warner ** Lindsay's head coach was Dennis Green (UofI) who brought Everett with him to Arizona as an OL coach Personal Notes I love to read profiles on these random players you never spent a moment thinking about, and its always amazing what interesting facts you uncover.  For Everett, its the fact that this NFL player never started in High School.  Not once.  Had to walk on at Ole Miss.  Take that Michael Jordan! Collection Notes I have 2/9 (22%) cards in my collection.

       Profile Mike Busch was a third baseman for the Dodgers, drafted in the 4th round in 1990.  Also, Mike Busch was an All-American tight end* from Iowa State drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990.  He chose baseball** and played two years in the majors, and has done some coaching in his post playing career.  He was born in Davenport. * In case you are wondering what kind of stats a TE needed to be first team in 1989: 23 passes for 375 yards (16.3-yard average) and two touchdowns.  Must have be a heck of a blocker ** In case you thought it was rare to be drafted in multiple sports, here are the non MLBers drafted in the 1990 MLB draft: NFL (Chris Weinke, Jeff Brohm, Mark Fields, Kerry Collins, Greg McMurtry, Rodney Peete), NBA (Bimbo Coles, Scott Burrell, Dino Philyaw) Personal Notes Mike Busch is semi famous for being the first replacement players to make it to the pros.  He was never admitted to the MLBPA because of this, and will ...

     Profile Wait, what?  Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow was born in Ames, Iowa and spent his first four years in Iowa.  He is the son of Jimmy Burrow who was a coach at Ames High School and an assistant coach for both Iowa State and the Iowa Barnstormers.  Joe started his college career with Ohio State and won the Heisman and the National Championship with LSU.  He was selected #1 by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft*. * Iowa players from the 2020 Draft (Hawkeyes: Tristin Wirfs, A.J. Epenesa, Michael Ojemudia, Geno Stone, Nate Stanley) Historical Significance Iowa has produced a number of Heisman trophy winners, National Championship players, and NFL players.  However, until Joe Burrow, there was no Iowa born #1 overall draft pick... 🔔 Joe Burrow 2019 Select is the first Iowa Born #1 Overall Draft Pick card. 🔔 Exciting, I know.  You may think I may be stretching my categories to mark each player I write about as being historic...

Profile Tim Costo was a shortstop for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1987-1990, an All-American* and 1st Round pick in 1990**, and played a couple of years for the Cincinnati Reds in 1993 and 1994 with a lifetime WAR of -0.7.   * Of the 22 All-Americans, 4 had productive MLB careers (Aaron Sele, Dan Wilson, Jeffrey Hammonds, Mike Kelly) and 6 others made it to the pros.   ** Of the 26 1st Rounds, 13 had productive MLB careers, most notably Chipper Jones and Mike Mussina.  9 others also made it to the pros.   Historical Significance Tim Costo had a fine career, and played for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and I had no idea until I had opened a Topps pack in 1991.  Up until 1989 Pro Set Football, you didn't see players in their college uniforms, and often had to wait a year of pro play before you'd see them even in their pro jerseys.  The only cards you would find were the sporadic team sets that some colleges would put out. With a little research, and discountin...

       Profile Joshua Jackson is a cornerback* from the University of Iowa who was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2018 NFL Draft ** by the Green Bay Packers.  Jackson was a unanimous All-American in 2017 for the Hawkeyes, nabbing 8 interceptions for the season. * Top Hawkeye defensive backs in the NFL by CarAV: Paul Krause (141), Merton Hanks (70), Bob Jeter (50), Micah Hyde (35), Bob Sanders (32)  ** Iowa Connections in the draft: James Daniels (2nd UofI), Jackson (2nd UofI), Josey Jewell (4th UofI), Jaleel Scott (4th Ellsworth), Daurice Fountain (5th UNI), Trevon Young (6th Des Moines), Allen Lazard (UDFA ISU), Ben Niemann (UDFA UofI), Nic Shimonek (UDFA UofI),  Akrum Wadley (UDFA UofI) Personal Notes So my dad was a Vikings fan growing up, and that's how I became one as well.  Iowa sits in this point where they have no pro teams, but are within driving range of multiple.  (MLB.tv blacks out Twins, Royals, Cardinals, Brewers, Cu...