Tag Archives: Birmingham Fire

Valerio, Joe (2)

CARDS: Pro Set 1991, Pro Set 1991 WL Helmet Collectible
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I had to loop back to Joe since I had this nice Pro Set 91 card, but also because he was one of the more successful members of the Birmingham Fire (post World League). He wrote me a nice note, thanked me for being a fan all these years, and that those were indeed good times.

Bell, Kenny ‘Ken’

Pro Set World League 1991, #44

CARD: ProSet World League 1991
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 2/28 RECEIVED: 3/25 (25 DAYS)
FAILURE: TTM C/o Home, 2013, 2015, 2019

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Outstanding speedster out of Boston College, joined the Broncos as a Free Agent in 1986.
  • Quickly became a coach and fan favorite used almost exclusively as a return man.
  • By the end of the ’89 campaign, was ranked first in Bronco history with 104 career KO returns, while his 2218 career return yards was 3rd.
  • Spent a season out of football as a late training camp casualty in 1990.
  • Joined the Birmingham Fire of the WLAF as a free agent signing in 1991.
  • Ended up becoming a part of a devastating 2 headed runningback rotation with Elroy Harris.
  • Displayed exceptional vision and skill catching passes out of the backfield, leading the team with 40 receptions.
  • Caught league’s first fake punt play TD, a 65 yarder from punter Kirk Maggio against the New York/ New Jersey Knights.

    NOTES:

    Son, Kenny Bell played for the Salt Lake City Stallions of the AAF. I packed my WLAF card of Ken just in case I ran into him, but no such luck! The reason being was at one point Ken was living a city over near a day camp I used to go to. I tried in vain to get his autograph on 3 previous occasions, but thanks to one of my fellow collectors, Rick, I got an updated address early in the year and took a stab. With Ken’s autograph, I’ve closed out the Pro Set World League Birmingham Fire team set’s autographs.

Jones, Eric (2)

Ultimate WLAF 1992, #20

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 7/3 Received: 7/11 (8 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

I had been after Eric Jones forever and a day on this card, but due to the commonality of his name, I was unable to locate him. I had done some research that led me down a rabbit hole that he was working for a medical device manufacturer, but the trail went cold- so I gave up. Thankfully Mark, of Mark’s Signing Bonus came to the rescue. He shot me a line and I was able to get Eric on this card. He also included a nice note thanking me for being a fan. Unfortunately, I do not believe that Mark ever got his autograph back from Eric… And since that point the address has grown cold.