Gary Ballman - WR/TE

Gary Ballman was a receiver who played for the Eagles for 6 seasons, the first 5 as a starter.  He was the team's split end for 2 seasons, then moved to tight end when the Eagles acquired Harold Jackson in 1969.

Ballman was the Steelers' 8th-round pick in 1962, and was their starting flanker (and kick returner) from 1963-66.   (Photos showing Ballman wearing #48 are from his rookie season in 1962. He switched to #85 in 1963).

He made the Pro Bowl twice while with the Steelers ('64, '65).

The Eagles acquired him in March 1967 (too late for a football card update) for fullback Earl Gros and rookie guard Bruce Van Dyke. Van Dyke would be the Steelers' starting right guard from 1967-73, while Gros was only the starter in '68 and '69. (The Steelers filled Ballman's spot with 2nd-year man J.R. Wilburn.)

Gary started 12 to 14 games per season for his first 4 years with the Eagles. On a team with Harold Jackson and Ben Hawkins as wideouts, Gary was usually the #3 receiver, but he lead the receiving corps with 47 catches in 1970. (Fullback Lee Bouggess had 50 catches.)

In 1971 he started the first 6 games, then missed the rest of the season with a knee injury that required surgery. Rookie Harold Carmichael moved to tight end for the rest of the season.

Ballman returned in 1972, but only played in 8 games (starting 4). Kent Kramer had joined the Birds, and started 8 games at TE, with Carmichael picking up the rest.

Gary split the 1973 season between the Giants and Vikings, before retiring.

Here are all of Ballman's cards during his time with the Eagles ('67, '68, '69, '70).


Where's Waldo Gary?