NGT: RIP to one of the great MLB’s: Mike Curtis

and one tough SOB..RIP

Was also a favorite of NFL films because he had that mean streak on field and the camera.

A great player.

This video was the the play where first I knew of him.

Link - ( New Window )

Rick Gosselin has this to say:

“ Mike Curtis will be forever remembered for tackling a drunken fan trying to steal the football during a 1971 game between his Baltimore Colts and the Miami Dolphins.

That’s sad, because there were so many more tackles, interceptions, sacks and fumble recoveries by Curtis that provide better feeds for the NFL memory bank.

Like his 60-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Minnesota in the 1968 playoffs and his late interception of Dallas quarterback Craig Morton that set up the winning field goal in Super Bowl V.

Curtis may have been the most versatile linebacker of his era. Curtis became a full-time starter in 1968 at strongside linebacker for the Colts and was voted first-team All-Pro. With the retirement of incumbent Dennis Gaubatz, Curtis shifted to middle linebacker in 1969 and earned second-team All-Pro acclaim behind Dick Butkus.

When Curtis moved to the expansion Seattle Seahawks for their inaugural season in 1976, he slid over to weakside linebacker and remained there for his final two seasons with Washington. Curtis also served as a team captain of both the Colts and Seahawks.

Curtis was the best player on a Baltimore defense that allowed the fewest points in the NFL in 1968. That sent him to the first of his four Pro Bowls. He was the best player on the entire team in 1970 when the Colts won their first Super Bowl. That earned him the first of his two team MVP honors from the Colts.

Curtis stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in a golden era of linebacking from 1965-75: Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Willie Lanier, Sam Huff, Nick Buoniconti, Bobby Bell, Ted Hendricks, Dave Robinson, Dave Wilcox, Chris Hanburger, Jack Lambert and Jack Ham. All are now in the Hall of Fame.

Curtis, however, has never even been discussed as a finalist.

His versatility is bolstered by his productivity. He intercepted 25 passes, sacked 22 quarterbacks (in an era when linebackers did little blitzing), recovered 10 fumbles and scored four touchdowns in his career. And he was feared. When he hit you, he hurt you...”


Link - ( New Window )

His internsity, ferocity love of violence I beleive may have something to dow with him not being in Canton. He may have rubbed some people the wrong way, some thought he might be legitimately crazy. His nickname "Mad Dog" was well earned.

with the same aplomb he displyed when tackling opponents in a December 1971 game against Miami.



I can only wonder what's going through Bubba Smith's mind watching that!

great player. RIP. God bless. Prayers to his family and friends.

He should be. I just assumed he was. Great, great linebacker; always one of the most feared defenders on the field. RIP

...favorite football player.

RIP

MLB in HOF

Nick Buoniconti BOS 1962-1968 MIA 1969-1976
8PB 5AP 2SB

Bill George Chicago 1952-1965 LA 1966
8 PB 8AP 1 Championship

Dick Butkus Chicago 1965-1973
8PB 5AP

Joe Schmidt Detroit 1953-1965
10PB 8AP 2 Championships

Ray Nitschke Green Bay 1958-1972
1PB 2AP 5 Championships 2SB

Willie Lanier Kansas City 1967-1977
8PB 3AP 1 Championship 1SB

Les Richter LA Rams 1954-1962
8PB 1 AP

Sam Huff NY Giants 1956-1963 WAS 1964-1967, 1969
5PB 2AP 1 Championship

Harry Carson NY Giants 1976-1988
9PB 1 Championship

Jack Lambert Pittsburgh 1974-1984
9PB 6AP 4SB

Not in HOF

Tommy Nobis Atlanta 1966-1976
5PB 2AP

Mike Curtis Baltimore 1965-1975 Seattle 1976 Washington 1977-1978
4PB 2AP 1 Championship 1SB

Bill Bergey Cincinnati 1969-1973 Philadelphia 1974-1980
5PB 2AP

Vince Costello Cleveland 1957-1967 NYG 1967-1968
1 Championship

Lee Roy Jordan Dallas 1963-1976
5PB 1 AP 1SB

Randy Gradishar Denver 1974-1983
7PB 2AP

Jeff Siemon Minnesota 1972-1982
4PB

Dan Conners Oakland 1964-1974
3PB 1 Championship

Myron Pottios Pittsburgh 1961-1965 LA Rams 1966-1970 Washington 1971-1973
3PB

Dale Meinert Chicago Cardinals 1958-1959 St.Louis 1960-1967
3PB

being enshrined in Canton. He was at least as good as any of the guys in there, and better than some.

tough, hard-nosed football player. Rest in peace, sir.

From the '65 NFL Draft.

First round included Curtis, as well as Sayers, Butkus, Namath and Ken Willard.

There were only 14 teams and 14 selections in each round.

The Giants had the #1 overall pick and chose Tucker Fredrickson.

QB Joe Namath HOF 1AP 5PB
HB Gale Sayers HOF 5AP 4PB
FB Jim Nance 2AP 2PB
FL Fred Biletnikoff 2AP 6PB
SE Roy Jefferson 1AP 5PB
TE Jerry Smith 1AP 2PB
RT Tom Neville 1PB
RG Bob Kowalkowski
OC Ed Flanagan 4PB
LG Glenn Ressler
LT Ralph Neely 3AP 2PB

LE/RE Steve DeLong 1PB
DT Walter Johnson 3PB
DT Jethro Pugh
RE Roy Hilton
LO/MB Mike Curtis 2AP 5PB
MB Dick Butkus HOF 5AP 8PB
RO Chris Hanburger HOF 4AP 6PB
LC Kent McCloughan 2AP 2PB
SS Jim Kearney
FS Spider Lockhart 2PB
RC Willie Williams 1PB


QB Craig Morton
HB Johnny Roland 2PB
HB Donny Anderson 1PB
HB Dave Osborn 1PB
FB Ken Willard 4PB
FB Bo Scott
FB Tucker Frederickson 1PB
FB Cannonball Butler 1PB
FL Otis Taylor 2AP 3PB
FL Lance Rentzel
SE Dick Gordon 1AP 2PB
SE Gary Garrison 4PB
SE Jack Snow 1PB
SE Frank Pitts
RT Glen Ray Hines 2PB
OC Bobby Maples 1PB

DT Mike Tilleman
MB Al Atkinson 1PB
MB Rick Redman 1PB
RB Olen Underwood
LC Clancy Williams
SS Ernie Kellerman
FS Brig Owens
RC Mike Howell