Editor’s note: The value of sports cards is subjective. The reality is that they are worth whatever price someone is willing pay. Collecting cards has never been about money or investments because that seems to remove some of the enjoyment of the hobby. Recently, a couple of friends gave me some baseball and football cards from the 1970s. The latest batch of cards were 1970 Topps football. Among the cardboard treasures were three players who were unknown to me. The third player featured in this three-part series is Gail Cogdill. It’s a reminder that just because a player isn’t well known, there’s always a story.
Gail Cogdill was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round in 1960 after three years at Washington State.
In his junior year with the Cougars, he had the top performance of his career with seven catches for 252 yards. In 1959 as a senior, he was an All-Pacific Coast Conference second team performer and was selected for several post-season all-star games.
Joining the Lions in 1960, he had 43 catches for 642 yards and a touchdown to make the Pro Bowl and earn the National Football League’s Rookie of the Year award.
In 1962, he had career-high numbers of 55 receptions and 991 yards. The following season, he made the Pro Bowl for the second straight year with 48 grabs for 945 yards and a lifetime best 10 scores.
When he was waived by the Lions during the 1968 season, he held the club records with 325 catches and 5,221 yards.
Later during the season, he was picked up by Baltimore and was a member of the Super Bowl III squad that fell to the New York Jets 16-7.
Playing his final two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons he ended his career in 1970 with 356 catches for 5,696 yards and 34 touchdowns.