This 1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Epic Signatures ON Ozzie Newsome Browns HOF trading card is a must-have for any football fan and collector. The card features a hard-signed autograph from Ozzie Newsome, signed and authenticated by Upper Deck. It is an original, vintage, and ungraded card with a 20 Pt. card thickness and made of card stock material.
The card is from the Epic Signatures insert set and is part of the 1999 Upper Deck Century Legends series. It is a single card and features the Cleveland Browns HOF player Ozzie Newsome. The card is in near mint condition and is perfect for any collector. Add this card to your collection today!
Ozzie Newsome Jr. (born March 16, 1956) is an American professional football executive and former player who is the executive vice president of player personnel of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Newsome was a tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame (1994) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999). He is also the former general manager of the Baltimore Ravens (1996–2018) and now serves as a behind-the-scenes executive with the team. Newsome is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time.
Newsome played for Alabama, where he started for all four years of his college career. Nicknamed "The Wizard of Oz," Newsome made the College Football All-America Team in 1977 and assisted the Crimson Tide to a 42–6 overall record during his four seasons. In total, Newsome amassed 102 receptions for 2,070 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, while also returning 40 punts for 301 yards. His 20.3 average yards per catch was a Southeastern Conference record for over 20 years. Newsome was named the Alabama Player of the Decade for the 1970s. He was a two-time All-SEC player (in 1976 and 1977), and named SEC Lineman of the Year in 1977 by the Birmingham Quarterback Club and the Atlanta Touchdown Club. In 1994, Newsome was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant called him "the greatest end in Alabama history and that includes Don Hutson. A total team player, fine blocker, outstanding leader, great receiver with concentration, speed, hands."
Newsome was drafted in the first round with the 23rd pick in the 1978 NFL Draft for the Cleveland Browns. He was named the Browns' Offensive Player of the Year his rookie year, the first time in 25 years that a rookie had received that honor. Newsome went to the Pro Bowl in 1981, 1984 and 1985. In 1984, Newsome set a franchise record for receiving yards in a game (191) that stood for 29 years until it was broken in 2013 by Josh Gordon (who recorded 237 and 261 yards in back-to-back games). In 1986, Newsome won the Ed Block Courage Award for playing with injuries, and in 1990, he won the Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award for his community service.Though he was never able to play in a Super Bowl, Cleveland made the playoffs seven times during Newsome's career, and made three trips to the AFC championship game.
Newsome finished his career with 662 receptions and 7,980 yards, both Cleveland franchise records, and 47 touchdowns, fifth all-time. When he retired, he was the all-time leader in receptions and yards amongst all NFL tight ends. In 1999, Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.