Parker, Carl


Cards:  ProSet WLAF 1991, Wild Card WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1992.
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o home.
Sent: 6/11   Received: 6/26   (15 days)
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Home RTS

Carl Parker was a standout receiver for Vanderbilt. The problem is Vandy is a doormat for many of the major football programs. Still over his three years with the Commodores, Parker totaled 118 catches and 1712 yards, including 42 passes for a 19.2 YPC and 12 touchdowns as a Senior. Carl signed with the Bengals in 1988 and was with them through 1989, before briefly catching on with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in 1990. The Sacramento Surge of the WLAF drafted him in the 4th round of the 1991 positional draft in the 6th slot.

Quarterback Mike Elkins bonded with Carl quickly, and of the 13 touchdowns Elkins threw, Carl caught eight of them- good for second in the league. In fact, Carl caught touchdown passes in the last 7 contests, highlighted by his 2TD performance in the team’s upset of Frankfurt during the season finale. Parker received All-WLAF Second team honors, as the league’s 3rd leading receiver in both catches (52) and in yards receiving (801).  He also had 3 100+ yard receiving games, including 136 in a loss to London, and caught at least 1 ball in every game of the season.  Parker also did double duty on punt returns, ranking 4th in the league with an 8.5 yard average on 15 returns.

Carl returned for the 1992 season to Sacramento. It was a new team and a new attitude on offense, infused by journeyman David Archer at quarterback and future CFL All Stars, Eddie Brown and Mike Pringle on offense.  Carl had another good season with numbers worthy of being a number one on many teams, finishing 1992 with 42 receptions, for 657 yards, and 6 touchdowns. While the numbers weren’t as good as ’91, Parker helped the Surge raise the World Bowl trophy over their heads at the end of the season with their victory over the Orlando Thunder. The league though sought to restructure after the season, and the CFL admitted in the rival Surge and Riders. The Surge were rechristened the Gold Miners and Carl picked up a final season with them in the CFL. Carl played last for the first incarnation of the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League before finally hanging up his cleats.

WLAF Rec 94    Yds 1458   Avg  15.5   Td 14   Lg 48
Pr  15    Yds 127   Avg 8.5   Td 0   Lg 15

Walls, Everson


Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1990, Score 1989
Acquired: In Person 6/15/2012, Burnet Feed BBQ Store.

Probably one of the greatest free agent acquisitions in the history of the NFL at cornerback, Everson Walls has held the NFL interception title 3 times over his career, and played for the Cowboys, Giants, and Browns.  He earned All-Pro Honors in 1982, 1983, and 1985, and is tied for the NFL record for most interceptions in cumulative Pro Bowl appearances. After a meritous career with the Cowboys from 1981-1989, Jimmy Johnson left him unprotected in Plan B after the team’s 1-15 disastrous season. He’d sign Plan B with the Giants in 1990- leaving the Cowboys after recording 649 tackles, 44 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries.

The Giants moved Walls to Free Safety to replace departed Terry Kinard, and Everson responded by notching 5 more picks en route to the team’s Super Bowl XXV victory.  He’d also register his first pick for a touchdown against division rival Washington that year. Another season with the team and 4 interceptions in 1991, saw him split time in 1992 between the Giants and Browns with 3 picks. He’d retire after 14 seasons with the Browns in 1993.

Despite having so many accolades and being named to the Cowboys 25th Anniversary Team, the NFL 1980s team, Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, Grambling Hall of Legends, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the Tom Landry Award, -the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor and the NFL Hall of Fame elude him to this day. I think it is an absolute crime that Walls is not at least in the Ring of Honor as he was one of the most complete defensive backs during his tenure in Dallas. Some say it was because of the 49ers Dwight Clark made that grab over him in the Championship Game, while others say it is because of his acrimonious hold outs, but I tend to believe that the NFL overlooks the corner position, if you are not as flashy or noisy as people like Deion Sanders.

Walls wrote a book in 2009, (“A Gift for Ron”,) chronicling his life and detailing his decision to donate his kidney to save his best friend and teammate on the Cowboys’, Ron Springs life. To me that’s worth it alone to demonstrate Everson’s humanity and compassion, emphasizing a trait that all members of the Hall of Fame should strive for.  He spends a lot of time on the road donating his time to charity, and works on TV and radio where he is immensely respected for his knowledge and understanding of the sport.

I had just joined the Texas Autograph Club, when I looked at the upcoming events and spotted a post about Everson appearing at a BBQ joint in Burnet, Tx -which is right down the road from me.  I unpacked some cards and grabbed my friend Josh and went to meet him. While the signing fee was stiff, it was totally worth it, as the money was going to help out the Burnet kids football team. Everson told me that first he’d like to be put into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, and then poked fun at the Giants card in front of the kids who were there that we were helping out.

G/Gs 186/171    Tac N/a     Sac  3     Fum 5        Int  57      Yds   504      Avg  8.8         Td  1     Lg  40

Allison, Aundrae

Card: Upper Deck 2007 Trilogy (#13/199)
Acquired: 3/27/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

Aundrae Allison played at East Carolina University, which surprisingly has produced players such as former QB Jeff Blake, WR Walter Wilson, and RB Chris Johnson. In 2005 he became the first player in school history to crack the 1,000 yard barrier amassing 1,732 yards on 145 receptions over two years for the Pirates.

The Minnesota Vikings took Allison in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL draft and put him in at kick returner and wide receiver. He had a pretty decent showing his rookie year, -lodging 20 KR for 574 yards and a touchdown. The 104 yard return, against the Lions would be a Vikings record. The problem was, Allison just wasn’t getting as many reps at receiver as the coaches wanted him to. He’d tally 18 receptions in two seasons before the team cut him.  The Jets signed Aundrae in 2009, but a torn ACL would keep him out the whole season.

Aundrae elected to play 2011 in the UFL for the Virginia Destroyers where he became a favorite target of quarterback Chris Greisen. In the league opener, Allison caught a 35 yard bomb for a touchdown against Las Vegas. While the team was predicated by “Marty Ball” behind runningbacks Adrian Peterson (ex Bear) and Dominic Rhodes, Aundrae made the best of his opportunities as the Destroyers captured their first UFL championship over the Las Vegas Locos.  After the season, Allison signed with the Buccaneers, but since that time has returned to the Destroyers, hopeful for a 4th season of UFL Football.

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