Tag Archives: charlotte rage

AFL, Arena, NFL, NFLE, WLAF, XFL

Hall, Galen

1991 Pro Set World League Insert, #7

CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Insert
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 5/31 RECEIVED: 6/10 (10 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played college football at Penn State from 1959-1961 where he was starting QB for the Nittany Lions.
  • Completed 48.2% of his passes for 1619 yards, 15 TDs, and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 318 yards and 3 TDs on 104 carries.
  • Played briefly in the NFL for the Redskins in 1962, and the Jets in ’63.
  • Jumped into coaching working in the college ranks as a positional coach for West Virginia (TE 64-65) and Oklahoma (WR/OC 66-83).
  • Started out as OC at Florida in ’84, but quickly took the reins as HC, coaching there through ’89.
  • Posted a 40-18-1 record over career with Gators.
  • After a year off, returned to coaching as OC of the WLAF Orlando Thunder in ’91.
  • Recommended and quickly reunited with his former college QB Kerwin Bell.
  • Orlando became well known for its explosive Spread offensive formations.
  • Became head coach of the Thunder in ’92, leading the franchise to World Bowl II, claiming an 8-2 record.
  • After a year’s stint with the AFL Charlotte Rage in ’94, returned to the rebooted World League in 1995, coaching with the Rhein Fire.
  • Coached through 2000, compiling a 34-26 record, winning two World Bowl Championships (1998, 2000).
  • Came back stateside in 2001, as head coach of the XFL Orlando Rage posting an 8-2 record.
  • Coached RBs with the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.
  • Returned home to Penn State in 2004 as OC and RB coach, working with the Nittany Lions through 2011.

ACCOLADES:

  • SEC Coach of the Year (1984)
  • NFL Europe Coach of the Year (1998, 00,
  • XFL Coach of the Year (2001)
  • Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame

NOTES:

Galen didn’t have any cards of himself made. I considered making one, but at the time I was artistically uninspired, so after arming up with a few World League helmet cards, I decided to fire one off to him. Now, my big thing recently is getting coaches to draw me up a play. I also peppered him with questions about the spread offense and his time in the World League. Although he didn’t give me any insight into his time in the WLAF/ NFLE, he did author two plays for me. They are run plays, but I’m very happy nonetheless he took the time to put these together.

AFL, Arena, CFL, NFL, usfl

Parilli, Babe (1930-2017)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-152

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Had a marvelous journey as a quarterback playing through 18 seasons for 3 leagues and 8 teams from 1952-69.
  • Played for Kentucky from 1949-51.
  • In an era not renown for passing, threw for 1627 yards (114/203) and 23 TDs to 12 INT in 1950.
  • 4th pick of the 1952 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers.
  • Joined CFL Ottawa Rough Riders in 1954, playing there through 55, and also again in 59.
  • Returned to NFL for a one year stint with the Browns in 56.
  • Again, played for Packers in 57 and 58.
  • After one year stint with the CFL again in 59, played for the Oakland Raiders in 1960.
  • After middling success with Oakland, was traded as part of a blockbuster deal to the Boston Patriots.
  • Played for the Patriots from 1961-67.
  • At time of departure from Boston, owned all the franchise’s passing records and many AFL ones as well.
  • Retired after winning Super Bowl III as Joe Namath‘s backup in Super Bowl III.
  • Had extensive coaching career.
  • Passed away in 2017 at the age of 87 after a battle with cancer.

NOTES:

In an age of more sexy names, I really hadn’t considered the legacy of Babe, compared to guys like Tom Brady (of course), or even Drew Bledsoe or Steve Grogan for that matter. -That being said Babe paved the way for those guys.

AFL/NFL

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
333015522268146.617822059.6
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
38315224.02333

CFL

*Stats not available pre-1959

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
522337344.244N/a
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
4205.0015
PYDSAVGLG
65249738.458
Arena, CFL, NFL, NFLE

Johnson, Lee

tntafl14 lee johnsonCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: IP 5/17/14, San Antonio Talons vs. New Orleans Voodoo

Coach Johnson is a veteran of many leagues as both a player and a coach. He’s spent time in the NFL, CFL, NFLE, and AFL. Among his highlights, Johnson coached the defensive line of the Berlin Thunder to two consecutive World Bowl Championships in both 2001 and 2002. He then coached the Denver Crush to the Arena Football Championship in 2004. After taking the reins of the Talons, he coached them to a 14-4 record and a division title, in 2012.

After the San Antonio Talons game against the Iowa Barnstormers I gave out my custom cards to many players on the field. It created such a stir that Coach Johnson came over and asked me where his was. After I joked with him a few seconds about sharing the same first name, he quickly extracted a promise from me to make a custom for him as well.

I arrived at the Talons game versus the Voodoo early as usual. After talking to the COO of the Talons and giving him a copy of the set, he went over to Lee to show him what I had done. Coach immediately came over and talked to me with a broad smile, signed the card and thanked me for the extras. He asked me what I wanted for the cards I made and gave to him, but as usual the most important thing for me is the autograph gracing the card for my own collection, and their enduring happiness and willingness to chase their dreams. You know, on that note, I have always subscribed to the ultimate belief that a true gift is one that is not expected, and for purposes of what I had given to each of these players I know it meant a lot to them.