1990 Pro Set Fred Marion #204. The error version having the belt on 49er WR John Taylor showing in the right angles and sunlight. The game was played October 22nd, 1989. It was 5 days after the Loma Prieta/Bay Area Earthquake. Often referred to as the "Earthquake Bowl" or the "Jeff Fuller Game". Fuller, a 49er Safety, suffered a career ending spinal injury on the 2nd play from scrimmage. The venue was moved to Stanford University two days before kickoff and televised on NBC. With a stadium capacity of about 86,000 (some 20,000 more than Candlestick Park), tickets were honored as General Admission open seating. Remaining seats were sold for $25. The pictured play occured with about 9 and a half minutes left in the 3rd Quarter. Third down and 2. A game in which he replaced starter Joe Montana in the 2nd Quarter due to a injury, SF QB Steve Young threw a pass intended for John Taylor. Patriot Fred Marion appeared to make an interception on the play but replay showed the ball fall through his hands. Young finished the game 11-12 passing with 3 TDs. A 'perfect' QB rating of 158.3. The one and only incompletion - was pictured on this card. I tend to believe the belt in the photo is real. Airbrushed away later on.

1990 Pro Set Fred Marion #204a Error w/ John Taylor's Belt Showing

1990 Pro Set Fred Marion #204b w/ John Taylor's Belt Airbrushed out

Signed Card

Game Ticket

3 Video frames showing the play (from YouTube).

Highlighted belt? from the Video YouTube Video Link - Click the Picture Marion Play is at the 1:21.40 mark

Photos of John Taylor's belt (The 3rd photo is from the NE game in '89

Game Recap

Play-by-Play recap

Two later issued cards appear to be linked to the '90 Pro Set addition. In 1991, Upper Deck made their Fred Marion card using an image from the same play. Just a slightly different angle. I think the belt is hidden by Taylor's body - rather than the picture being edited. The second card is from the 1997 Collector's Edge set. To me, it's an obvious tribute to the original '90 card. What I don't understand is why John Taylor had a card that year. He retired in 1995 and the stats on the back are all zeros for 1996.

1991 Upper Deck

1997 Collector's Edge

1990 Pro Set Pack w/ Marion showing on the back

2014 Sports Illustrated Article Link: