CFL, NFL, WLAF

Bell, Kerwin (2)

Cards: WildCard WLAF 1992, Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2012, C/o Jacksonville University
Sent: 1/10        Received:  2/17  (38 days)
Previous Post: Kerwin Bell
Failure: TTM 2010, C/o Jacksonville University

I had tried previously in 2010 to get the former Florida and WLAF Orlando Thunder signal caller on a few additional cards, but didn’t have any luck there. Recently there have been a few signings by Bell passed through SportsCollectors.net so I decided to take another chance C/o Jacksonville University again. With these two cards being signed, I can officially close the book on Kerwin Bell, unless I was to stumble upon a Jogo card or two of him in his CFL gear.

A Florida Gators quarterback from the 80’s, Bell finished his Senior season with 2687 yards and 21 TDs. After bouncing around the NFL for a few seasons, the WLAF would call his number in the first round of their positional draft in 1991. He’d be on fire the first two weeks of the season and rake in Offensive Player of the Week honors both weeks for the Orlando Thunder. Kerwin set the league season game records for most completions (29), most TDs passing (5), most attempts (43), and most attempts without an interception (44).

Inexplicably, the Thunder turned around in 1992 and picked up Scott Mitchell from the Dolphins and gave him the keys to the car. Bell would ride the bench, but would go onto greater glory after the season, playing in the CFL for the Sacramento Goldminers, Edmonton Eskimos, Argos, and Blue Bombers. He’d also have a brief stop with the Colts during this period, completing 5 of 5 passes for a TD, retiring in 2001. Unofficially it is the highest QB rating among non-qualifying quarterbacks in NFL history.

Bell was inducted into the Gator HoF as a Gator Great in 1997.

 

NFL, ufl

Davis, Chris (WR)

Card: Playoff Contenders 2007
Acquired: 3/6/12, Target Authentic Memorabilia Autograph Edition

During his time with the Florida Seminoles, Chris Davis recorded 137 receptions for 1842 yards and 12 touchdowns. In his senior season in 2006 Chris played in the Senior Bowl and finished among the elite receivers and returners in FSU history.

A dynamic weapon with the versatility to play wide receiver and return kicks, Chris Davis uses his 5-foot-10 frame to his advantage, running precise routes and making quick cuts. His elusiveness makes him dangerous after the catch and in the open field as a returner. In pre-draft workouts, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds, bench pressed 291 pounds and recorded a 36-inch vertical jump. The Titans selected him with their second of two fourth-round picks (128th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft. Through his first two NFL seasons, he appeared in 17 games and totaled seven receptions for 69 yards, 33 punt returns for 299 yards (9.1 avg.) and six kickoff returns for 156 yards (26.0 avg.).

In 2010, Chris signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and also saw time on the roster of the Giants as well. Eventually Chris signed with the Hartford Colonials of the UFL later that year, but was released. In 2011 he signed with the Omaha Nighthawks where he currently remains on their roster.

NFL, University of Texas

Kirkendoll, James “JT Kirk”

Card: UT UD 2011
Acquired: In Person 2012, Rudy’s RibFest

I pretty much set my mind on going to the Rudy’s in Round Rock after hearing Kirkendoll’s name was among those confirmed to attend along with Jeremy Kerley who was an added bonus. Easily identifiable by his dreads, James really liked the card and piece of memorabilia I asked him to sign. In fact he took a photo and was extremely excited to see his card since it was the first time he’d seen it. He asked me if I had a copy, so I agreed to send him an extra to the Titans facility for him to keep. I was touched when he told me he was going to put it up in his locker. In the meantime he looked me in the eye and wished me luck and gleefully signed the card and the photo memorabilia that I provided.

James Kirkendoll is a wide receiver that played for the Longhorns from 2007-2010 after going locally to Round Rock High School. where he earned the nickname “JT Kirk”.  As a Senior for the Longhorns in 2010, he led the team in receptions with 52 catches for 707 yards and 2 TDs. At the end of his career James ranked 9th all-time at UT with 121 receptions. A burner, Kirkendoll ran track, recording 100 meters in 10.8 seconds. He’d be signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Tennessee Titans after the 2011 NFL draft, and has managed to find a roster spot as a developmental player on the squad.

It should be noted that this is the first time that I have been able to get an autograph to stick well to one of these Upper Deck UT Cards. While I was at my local card store, (Card Traders of Austin,) one of the owners advised me that the best way to get the autographs to stick is by using talcum/baby powder on the surface of the card to prep it. Rubbing the powder gently into the surface and then scraping away all the residue, will do the trick, and that it did as the card absorbed the autograph with little fade.

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