Jim Everett was a star on both sides of the ball at Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, N.M. As the starting quarterback and safety he led the school to its first state championship in 1980.
Everett took his considerable talents to Purdue University where he fully committed to the quarterback position. His senior season was a revelation as Everett led the NCAA in total offense, set numerous school records and finished sixth in the 1985 Heisman trophy voting.
The star quarterback was selected with the third pick in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. Unable to come to terms, the Oilers traded his rights to the Los Angeles Rams.
The big, handsome signal caller was a perfect fit in Los Angeles. He had an incredibly productive and underrated career with L.A. and New Orleans and finished his career with a short run with the Chargers.
Everett passed for a career-high 4,310 yards in 1989. He led the NFL in passing touchdowns in 1988 and 1989 and was named a Pro Bowler in 1990. Over the span of his career, Everett passed for nearly 35,000 yards and more than 200 touchdowns, making him one of the most consistent and productive quarterbacks of the era.
In this exclusive interview, Everett reflects on seeing his 1987 Topps RC for the first time, memorable autograph experiences with teammates and what memorabilia he held on to from his 12-year NFL career.
