Category Archives: CFL

CFL, NFL, University of Texas

Worster, Steve ‘Big Woo’ (1949-2022)

Cards: UT UD 2011 National Champions 1970, UT UD 2011 ATA, UT UD 2011 Icons, UT UD 2011 NCAA AA.
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home. Trade 2015.
Sent: 3/16    Received: 3/27  (11 days)

Bruising fullback Steve ‘Woo-Woo’ Worster was part of a devastating backfield that included  such talent as Chris Gilbert, Jim Bertelsen and Ted Koy. To accommodate all of those skill players, Coach Darrell Royal implemented the Wishbone system at the University of Texas.

While at UT Worster ran all over opposing defenses, running for 806 yards on 161 carries, and chipping in 13 TDs in 1968. In ’69 Steve had 136 carries and 9 TDs. It’d be in 1970 that he had his true signature year, leading the Longhorns to the National Championship. During that season, Big Woo galloped 160 times for a career high 898 yards, a 5.6 yard per carry average, and 14 TDs. Over his time at UT, Worster was a 3 time SWC champion, a 2 time All-American, and a 2 time National Champion (1969, 1970). His cumulative totals were 457 carries for 2,353 yards, a 5.1 yard per carry average,  36 touchdowns, and  11 receptions for 113 yards.

Steve was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 4th round of the 1971 draft, but did not play for the team.  Unable to agree on a contract, Steve headed North to the CFL and joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but after 4 games he grew disenchanted with the game and decided to leave the game behind.

He returned to Texas, completed his degree, and got into sales. He’s currently retired and lives outside of Beaumont.

Thanks to Zevonfan on Sportscollectors I was able to find an address for him. He signed every card I had of him, minus his UT Upper Deck 2011 base card. On it was a note indicating that the photo from the front of the card was not his. The photo was of Jim Bertelsen and not of Worster and is considered an unreported error card.

A few months after that Zevon on SCN proposed a trade with me.   He really, really wanted a Haywood Jeffires from my collection and  in exchange he dangled the Worster base set card I needed. (The problem is, no matter how many I get of Jeffires, it’s become this bizzare tradition that I treasure.) Well luckily enough I ran into him at the Oilers 25th Anniversary Party, where he signed everything I had.  This allowed me to consummate the trade, thus allowing me to knock out a potentially difficult Worster card off my list.

EPITAPH:

On 8/13/22 Steve passed away at the age of 73, after battling health problems over the past few years.

Arena, CFL

Jackson, LaRoche

tntafl14 ljacksonCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: 2014, Trade

A fearsome hitter and defensive back LJ  joined the Gladiators in 2013 and tallied 85 tackles and 5 interceptions in 14 games. He got a fair amount of playing time also at kick returner in 2014, and finished with 26 kick returns for 578 yards and a TD. LaRoche has had an interception for a touchdown in every season he’s been in the AFL including 2014, when he had 3 interceptions for 74 yards, 105.5 tackles, and 2 FF, helping key the Gladiators Arena Bowl run.

LaRoche went to little Clark Atlanta University, becoming a starter at DB in the second game of his freshman season.  He held on to that spot the rest of the year, finishing with four interceptions. Jackson went undrafted in 2006. He’d sign with the then Carolina Speed and was named Rookie of the Year of the AIFA in 2008. The next season he played for the Bloomington Edge of the IFL. After a brief stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in 2010, LaRoche landed in the Arena Football League in 2011. He’d swim with the Sharks of Jacksonville, earning an Arena Bowl title in his first season. En route, Jackson led the Sharks with 119 tackles, recovered two fumbles, and recorded six interceptions. In 2012, he recorded 97 tackles, another four interceptions, and a forced fumble.

Great finished product and even better looking autograph, LJ really tagged this one up nice. Once I got the autographs back I thanked them through Twitter. True to the reason why I do this, I could tell that LaRoche enjoyed getting the cards as much as I did getting the autograph.

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Wilson, Walter ‘Bug’ (2)

ultwlaf92 wwilsonCard: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent: 8/22   Received: 8/31  (9 days)
See Also: Walter Wilson ‘Bug’

Walter Wilson at the time set an ECU record of 91 receptions for 1,670 yards and 16 touchdowns. He led the team in receiving for 3 consecutive years, and was very durable- only missing one game in 4 seasons.

The Ohio Glory selected Wilson in the 4th round of the 1992 WLAF draft. He went on to lead the league in receptions and ranked 3rd in receiving yards, as the Glory frequently played from behind.  I had  Walter sign two previous cards after the infamous ‘Hail Storm Game’ that the Riders and Glory played back in 1992, however at that time, I did not have a card of him in his Ohio threads.

I have been looking for Wilson aggressively since- 2010 when I started this, and was genuinely surprised to receive this back in 9 days flat.

WLAF       Rec 65       Yds  776       Avg 11.9       Td 2       Lg 52