A Safety's Saga

The 1970 Topps Super Football card #9 features the legendary Larry Wilson, a dominant safety for the St. Louis Cardinals. The card showcases a portrait of Wilson in his Cardinals uniform. Wilson played his entire 13-year NFL career (1960-1972) with the Cardinals, earning a reputation as a fearless hitter and exceptional ball-hawk. Notably, he is credited with popularizing the safety blitz, a tactic where the safety rushes the quarterback, adding a dynamic element to defensive strategies.

Wilson's impact on the game is undeniable, evidenced by his impressive career statistics and numerous accolades. He recorded 52 career interceptions, which he returned for 800 yards and five touchdowns. In 1966, he led the NFL with a remarkable 10 interceptions. His consistent excellence earned him eight Pro Bowl selections (1962, 1963, 1965-1970) and six First-Team All-Pro honors (1963, 1966-1970). Wilson's contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, solidifying his place among the game's all-time greats. He was also named to the NFL's All-Decade Teams for the 1960s and 1970s, further cementing his status as a defensive icon.