Off-Topic Forum

From Montenegro, I am tied for the second tallest player in NBA history, yet I only played one game in the NBA before going back to Europe, where I play to this day. Who am I? 

You are probably thinking of Slavko Vranes, but basketball-reference thinks he was from Serbia, not Montenegro. Also, at 7'5" he was tied for the fifth tallest in NBA history behind Manute Bol (7'7"), Georghe Muresan (7'7"), Shawn Bradley (7'6") and Yao Ming (7'6").  ;-) 

Here's my contribution to this...

I was a running back in the NFL in the 1970s.  In my rookie year I didn't get a single carry, but in my second year, I had a very good year and eclipsed the 1000 yard mark!  Topps however, saw it differently and did not issue my rookie card until after my third year (and my second 1000 yard season).

Mercury Morris was my first thought, Rocky Bleier my second. Or, could it be Wilbert Montgomery from little ole Abilene Christian College? Hmm. I'm going to search the net, and when I find the answer I'm not posting it to allow others to guess.

Those are all good guesses, but none of them are right.  As far as I know, my player's second year is the only 1000 yard rushing season in the 70s that didn't have a Topps card the next year.  There was, however, at least one 1000 yard receiving season that was "missing" in next year's set.

One more hint...  I ended up getting about 90% of my career yards with one team, though I did play with three others in the last two years of my career.  During my five year peak I was probably as good as any back not named OJ Simpson, as I rushed for 1000 yards in four of those years and over 900 in the other year.  All five of those years were in the era when the NFL played 14 game seasons. I never had a personal card where I was a Topps All Pro, though I did share a Topps All Pro card with OJ Simpson the year I happened to lead my league in rushing.

Who am I?

I am stumped, and I refuse to look on the net before posting, though it is tempting. Three more names I'll toss out there: Jim Otis, Chuck Foreman, or Larry Csonka. Now, off to check if either of them is correct.

Wrong again! I should have known that Csonka's RC is from the '69 Topps set, and that Foreman had won Rookie of the Year so that would have eliminated him by the facts from your original post.

Heh.  This guy had a pretty good career and a good peak, though he is largely forgotten today.  I also misspoke -- the year he shared an All Pro card with Simpson he also led his conference (not the league) in rushing.  I love seeing the old time RB names, though. :)

Pretty sure I've found him. Lost a Super Bowl near the end of his career?