NFL, ufl

Krumrie, Tim


Cards: Score 1990, Fleer 1990, Pinnacle 1992
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Home
Sent: 3/25  Received: 4/4   (9 days)

Tim Krumrie was the man in the middle at nose tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1983-1994, and the team’s last Super Bowl appearance in 1988.  His stabilizing force on the line allowed the Bengals to make multiple appearances in the playoffs under head coach Sam Wyche. At nose tackle, Krumrie made an astounding 1017 tackles and 34.5 sacks over his career.  It is also of note that he held at one point the most career tackles at his college, (Wisconsin,) with 444. Tim probably would’ve had even more of an impact at the pro level, if not for a broken lower leg he sustained during Super Bowl XXIII, -considered one of the most gruesome injuries caught on television. Still the hard-charging Krumrie returned from injury by 1990, and continued to play for the franchise until his retirement a few seasons later.

Tim continued to be involved in football and jumped pretty much into coaching after retirement, joining the defensive staff of the Bengals in 1995. In 2003, Krumrie punched his ticket to Buffalo for a few years, joining the Chiefs in 2006. It was with the Chiefs, he would be lionized in the TV show “Hard Knocks” on HBO, before his dismissal in 2010. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as the lockout left him knocking on doors. The UFL’s Hartford Colonials led by Jerry Glanville offered him the defensive line job for the 2011 season, and Krumrie jumped at the opportunity, putting in a playbook and planning to look at potential players, but the league suspended operations of the franchise leaving him in limbo.  In the meantime, he’s embraced a lifestyle as a fitness nut, dabbling in high school football, and lives with his wife in Colorado.

G/GS  188/161    Tac  1017       Sac  34.5   Fum 13
Int  0   Yds 0    Avg -.-     Td  0     lg  -.-

College Football HoF, Heisman Trophy Winner

Ward, Charlie

Acquired: In Person 1/30/12, 1300 The Zone 3rd Base Appearance

Recently Charlie Ward became the subject of a topic through Facebook on 1300 The Zone, – as the greatest quarterback never to play professional football. An amazing athlete through and through, he was an acclaimed player at quarterback and guard (basketball) for the Florida State Seminoles. He also was drafted by the Brewers (1993), and Yankees (1994), and played tennis avidly.

Charlie had 2 illustrious seasons at Florida State, and threw for 27 touchdowns and 4 picks in 1993, winning the Heisman Trophy and was named ACC Athlete of the year. Equally as dangerous on the ground as in the air, Charlie tore teams apart as the team won its first National Championship that season.

Charlie decided to go to the NBA instead of the NFL. He’d be drafted by the Knicks (1994-2004), and play for the Spurs (2004), and Rockets (2004-2005) before retiring. Always mindful of Christ, he now coaches high school sports in Houston. He was inducted into the College Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and is an active participant in christian charities.

I met Ward at 3rd Base bar in Austin with Eric Metcalf. I was unable to get a card of him before I arrived. He was very nice however. Unfortunately when Charlie looked at me, he looked at my beer first, then flashed a look of disgust at me before we spoke, which made me feel very sad.  When I asked him why he didn’t go to the NFL, he said to me, “It was God’s will.” This was his persistent response to every question I asked.  Overall he seemed to be a really nice guy, who is so grounded, it was almost surreal.  When the waitress was clearing out my tab, I asked her for a bit of extra receipt paper so I could get his autograph, which he wrote “God Bless” at the top of.

NFL, University of Texas

Thomas, Sloan

Card: Leaf New Generation Certified Materials 2004
Acquired: 3/20/2012, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

Sloan Thomas played collegiately at the University of Texas and was one of quarterback Major Applewhite‘s favorite targets (at 6-2, 201). He’d finish 10th in career receptions at the school with 88 and seventh in touchdowns with 15. The Houston Texans drafted Thomas in the 7th round of the 2004 draft along with first round picks Dunta Robinson and Jason Babin. Slowed by injuries during the preaseason and faced with a do or die situation to make the roster, Thomas came out in the final contest and singed the Buccaneers for a 72 yard touchdown, but it was too little too late and he’d be released in the final cutdowns. The Texans just didn’t have enough film on Sloan to go on.

Sloan signed with the Titans in 2005. He’d spend one season there and be claimed off of waivers by the Jets in 2006, and then finally head over to the Seahawks later that season and retire after the 2007 season. Thomas immediately afterwards jumped at the opportunity to help establish the football program for the University of Texas- SA where he is the associate director of development for athletics. He also spends a lot of his time doing volunteer work for football camps as well with other former Longhorns and currently lives in the San Antonio area.

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