CFL, NFL, WLAF

Hart, Roy

psetwlaf91 hartCards: ProSet WLAF 1991, Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o work
Sent: 2/7    Received:  3/4    (24 days)

Roy Hart was a 6th round selection by the Seattle Seahawks out of South Carolina  in 1988. After injuring his hamstring in the opener, Roy didn’t see action on the field until the next year in 1989, where he played in 16 games and recorded 2 sacks and 18 tackles.

The London Monarchs drafted Roy in 1991, and he’d become an integral part of their monster defense as the starting nose tackle in the team’s 3-4 alignment.  The Monarchs were a relatively well received curiosity in London, and the defense was nicknamed “The Hart Attack Defense” after Roy. He’d finish the season with 10.5 sacks (2nd in the league behind teammate Danny Lockett) and a team leading 84 tackles.  The team finished 9-1 and cruised to a 21-0 victory over the Barcelona Dragons, powered largely by the team’s defense.Dick Vermeil during the World Bowl noted that Hart is a dangerous nose guard when he is allowed to use his quickness to jump around the center. Roy was named to the All-World League First team after the season.

ultwlaf92 tvsched 1Roy returned to the NFL as a member of the Los Angeles Raiders later that year, and then the Jets in 1992. He’d then play for the CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1993, and the Las Vegas Posse in 1994.

Another difficult name to locate, I got lucky when I saw a photo from a person’s recent trip to Vegas that mentioned him, his NFL pedigree, and what he was currently up to. Cross referencing the information led me to a networking site, and gave me his job. Looking at his job’s website, revealed many emails, but not his, – however taking one last leap of faith I emailed him based on the format of his co-ultwlaf92 monarchsworkers’ emails, and amazingly got a hold of him where he was honored to sign a few cards for me. When I got the envelope back it had been meticulously taped back together. Apparently either the mailman or Roy had torn this envelope to shreds, but I have to give them props for getting it back to me.

NFL  1/0     Tac N/a     Sac 2.0   Fum 0
Int   0    Yds   0     Avg  -.-     Td  0     Lg -.-

WLAF     Tac        Sac  11.0     Fum  0
Int  0    Yds  0     Avg  -.-    Td 0     Lg -.-

NFL, University of Texas

Metcalf, Eric (2)

pset89 metcalfap90 metcalfsco90 metcalf HC

Cards: Score 1990 Hot Card, ProSet 1989, Action Packed 1990, Fleer 1995

Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent:  4/4  Received: 4/21  (17 days)
See Also: Eric Metcalf
Failure: TTM 1992, C/o The Cleveland Browns

With these four cards, I pretty much have knocked Eric Metcalf’s cards off my list- that is his Browns cards. Getting Eric’s autograph in any other uniform other than a Browns uniform would be like asking for Brett Favre on a Jets card to me. When I ran out to get Eric at Third Base a few years ago, I grabbed as many cards as I could, but didn’t have these, since three of them were lost in the mail all those years ago.  I had forgotten how nice these cards that I missed out on were.I reloaded and waited for a suitable time to shoot these cards out. Eric is very good to TTM fans- at least since I scolded him about it a few years ago. He’s one of my favorites from my childhood, so it was fitting I come around for a TTM hit.

Eric’s been busy in Seattle since returning there. He’s been involved in coaching track and field, most recently joining the staff at Washington as a volunteer assistant for horizontal jumping. Eric had an amazing track career at UT, winning the NCAA Championship in the long jump in 1986, and again in 1988.  A four-time All-American and that still holds the Texas school record for the outdoor long jump with a best of 27-8.25, Eric qualified for the finals of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials, placing eighth. 

 

NFL

Ford, Jason

Hit11 JFordCard: Leaf Rookies 2012
Acquired: 2013, Target Autograph Memorabilia

Jason Ford was a beast coming out of High School ranking in the Top 50 nationally among runningbacks. He chose Illinois over a strong push from fellow Big 10 schools Minnesota and Wisconsin. While never rushing for 1,000 yards, and splitting time with Mikel Leshore, Ford finished his 4 year career at Illinois in 2012 with 1970 yards and 27 touchdowns- 16th on the school’s all time rushing list.  With a nose for the endzone and first downs, Jason is a stout (251 lb), downhill runner, with good hands, evidenced by his 46 receptions. He’s definitely a bam back that you bring in for those goal line and short yardage situations.

Ford was expected to be a late round pick in the 2012 draft, but due to an April 2011 arrest for driving with a suspended license, and allowing himself to be ineligible for the bowl game this past season because of academics, Jason’s stock took a blow. Jason signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent after the draft. In camp the team was worried about Rashad Mendenhall’s recovery from a season ending injury from 2011, and was trying out new blood. Jason got his chance in the team’s second preseason game, a Monday Night contest against the Indianapolis Colts. The bruiser rushed 8 times for 42 yards, prompting the commentators to remark how he looked like the second coming of Jerome Bettis. During the game, Jason pulled his hamstring and sat out the 3rd contest. The Steelers cut him after finally coming to terms with  WR Mike Wallace.  Currently, he’s a free agent, but I think he’d make a great fit for the AFL as a fullback.

 

Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.