1979 Topps John MatuszakAll right, this week’s football player-turned-actor was on the front of last week’s cello pack of 1979 Topps, and correctly guessed (immediately) by Mitch in what turned out to be way too easy of a contest.  Sometime in the not too distant future, Mitch will find some Ohio State alumnus cards on his doorstep.

Matuszak, aka Tooz, was a giant compared to many contemporary players when he was drafted first overall by the Houston Oilers in 1973, standing 6 foot 8 and weighing 280 pounds.  He was the star of the football program at the University of Tampa, which cut it’s football program after 1974.

In addition to the Oilers, Matuszak also attempted to play for the World Football League’s Houston Texans–until a restraining order was filed, preventing him from playing in two leagues.  Displeased with his efforts to play for a rival league, the Oilers shipped Matuszak to Kansas City, where he played two seasons with the Chiefs.

He moved on to the Oakland Raiders for the 1976 season, helping them win Super Bowls XI and XV, before retiring after the 1981 season. 

Matuszak’s playing career often seemed overshadowed by his partying and drug use, chronicled in his autobiography Cruisin’ with the Tooz, which included many painkillers, narcotics, and possibly anobolic steroids. 

Matuszak’s first major acting role came before his retirement, in 1979’s North Dallas Forty.  He became a fairly succesful actor in the 80’s, with appearences on shows like Perfect Strangers, M*A*S*H, The Dukes of Hazzard, Hunter (with Fred Dryer), The A-Team, First and Ten and Miami Vice.

Perhaps his most famous role, though, was that of Lotney Fratelli, aka “Sloth” in 1985’s The Goonies.

Sadly, Matuszak passed away of heart failure in 1989, at the age of 38.  His death is often blamed on his hard partying lifestyle and drug use, but Matuszak’s sister also passed away at an early age due to heart failure, so it is possible that a genetic disorder may have also caused the death.

As for the card, you pretty much know all about it already–it’s his 1979 Topps card, which I pullled out of a cello pack recently purchased on eBay just last week.  It’s one of only 11 cards Matuszak had during his career, and it books for $0.50.