NFL

Ware, DeMarcus “D Ware”

sco09 dwareCard: Score 2009
Acquired: IP 2013, GMC Texas Tour (November)

I was really pleased to see DeMarcus Ware on the list for the GMC Texas Tour for November, -but so was apparently everybody else. As a collector, I think it’s great to see other fans interested in meeting sports stars. It feels like a dying art when I am there all alone. However, the circus can be a bit much though, and I just wish a few of them would go away, especially when experienced autograph seekers get the blame for the inexperienced breaking all the unsaid rules. From bypassing lines to walk straight up to a player that isn’t even seated, to addressing a sensitive topic, players will always scoff at those who collect the most. I was a bit disappointed in my results from the tour in November and I had hoped to get Ware’s autograph on quite a few cards. I earned the right to do so by taking the required amount of drives, earning vouchers from each drive to do so, and with the mixup mash up mistiming by Roy Williams, I was then left holding 8 autograph vouchers just for DeMarcus Ware. The GMC people first attempted to clear us out of the tent, stating that we were notdware allowed to form a line behind the queue for Roy to DeMarcus until 3:30. Instead we could all go outside and form a new ‘unofficial’ line for Ware. A bunch of people, myself included, ignored the woman, since we had already felt jilted by the Williams signing. Finally they let us all into the queue at 2:30. Eventually they limited everybody there to just one item due to the amount of people waiting in line. Autographs were rushed, and with a very efficient handler in the middle, nobody was able to really speak to or approach Ware close enough to do anything else. It was a very artificial and disappointing event. Still, I can’t complain about free, and I did get this Score 2009 signed by him even though I did a custom for him that I wanted to get signed at the event.

A member of the 100 sack club, DeMarcus has already established himself as the Dallas Cowboys’ All-Time leader in sacks, passing up the late Harvey Martin. The Sun Belt defensive player of the year in 2006, Ware recorded 195 tackles, 27.5 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles over his career at Troy. A four time All Pro in the NFL, and the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, DeMarcus has led the league in sacks in both 2008 (20) and 2010 (15.5).

 

 

Arena, WLAF

Fletcher, Cecil

ult92 fletcherCard: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2013, C/o Home
Sent: 7/22    Acquired: 8/6    (16 days)

Cecil Fletcher was one of three members of the Marshall Herd that played in the WLAF from 1991 to 1992. A fearsome pass rusher and staunch run stopper, Fletcher still holds the school single-season mark for sacks with 17 along with 19 TFL that he posted in 1986. A team captain at linebacker for the 1987 team that went 10-5 under George Chaump and finished as NCAA I-AA runner ups, Cecil was one of the leaders of the “Killer Bs” defense. His 1987 was equally impressive, as Fletcher finished with 99 tackles, 11 TFL, 6 sacks, and 2 FR. After the season he was named to to the East-West Shrine Game,- the first member of the Herd since 1941. Cecil’s career totals at Marshall included 247 tackles and his 23 career sacks still rank in the top 5 in school history.

After going undrafted, Cecil signed with the Pittsburg Power of the AFL in 1988. His best season with them came in 1990 when he recorded 6 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 pass blocks, and 2 forced fumbles. A 7th round pick of the New York-New Jersey Knights of the WLAF in 1991, Cecil enjoyed a fine season for the team, recording 41 tackles and .5 sacks. He returned for the 1992 season and posted another sack before the league reorganized. Cecil returned to the AFL where he joined the Cincinnati Rockers in 1993. He’d post his best season of his AFL career with 15 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 PB, 2 blocks, and a FR- retiring after the season.

Cecil since retirement has had a wonderful life with his wife of 20+ years and 2 wonderful children. He coached High School football winning a State Championship, and as of 2013 is an estimator with Roadside Traffic. He wrote me a wonderful handwritten letter. In it he thanked me for the card that he could sign for his children to witness, as when he found out that he had a card back in 1992 it was one of the happiest days of his professional football life. – Such a great heartwarming memory to share. Another great response from a player who had a fun career.

NFL

Gibson, Dennis

Card: Topps 1988
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Dennis Gibson is best remembered by Charger fans as being the savior of the team in the 1994 AFC Championship Game, when he blocked a TD pass from Steelers’ QB Neil O’Donnell in the endzone to win the game. The play propelled the Cinderella Chargers of 1994 into the SuperBowl- their only SuperBowl appearance to date.

A home grown Iowa product who went to school at none other than Iowa, Gibson went to the bright lights of the city of cars and industry, as Detroit took him in the 8th round of the 1987 draft. Considered a budget find, Gibson stepped right in and contributed almost immediately, and later went on to play beside both Michael Cofer and Chris Spielman at right inside linebacker for the Lions 3-4 alignment. Gibson also appears alongside his teammates in the classic football game Tecmo Super Bowl. He saw some of the better glory days of the reborn Lions under Wayne Fontes and started 7 seasons for the Lions defense. In 1988 Gibson had a career high 116 tackles, and in an injury shortened 6 games in 1989 he recovered 3 fumbles. He’d sign with the Chargers in 1994 and play there through the 1995 season before retiring. At last glance in 2013, Gibson runs Encore Pizza in near obscurity outside of Des Moines, Iowa.

G/Gs 121/120    Tac 582    Sac 2.5   Fum 6     Int 3     Yds  15   Avg 5.0   Td 0    Lg 10

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