Tag Archives: colorado crush

Arena, NFL, NFLE

Lytle, Matt (2)

Topps 2000, #359
Topps 2000, #294

CARDS: Topps 2000, Leaf Rookies & Stars 2000
ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home
SENT: 8/11 RECEIVED: 9/21 (41 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

NOTES:

Matt was easy enough to find online that I shot these last two cards out to him. I absolutely love this Leaf Rookies & Stars card. It’s not just the figurative elements and dynamic pose, but the lighting is really what does it for me in this one. Great card.

Arena, NFL, NFLE

Lytle, Matt

Card: Playoff Contenders European Ticket 2000
Acquired: 2021, Future Considerations

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Matt played from 1995-98 for Pitt, throwing for 3738 yards and 26 TDs.

  • Undrafted in 99,  he signed with the Carolina Panthers but ultimately did not make the squad 52 man roster.

  • The Panthers later assigned him to NFL Europe in 2000, where Matt played for the Rhein Fire, backing up Danny Wuerffel.

  • Claimed off of waivers by the Seattle Seahawks he’d be on and off the team’s practice squad during 2000, before the Panthers reclaimed him.

  • He made his only start of his career in 2001 in a blowout loss to the Rams.

  • Lytle joined the Alouettes in the CFL for 2002, backing up Anthony Calvillo at QB.

  • He then was in camp with the Ravens in 2003, and then later the Colorado Crush of the Arena league, but ultimately retired after failing to make the roster of the Crush in 2004.

NFL

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
301713356.71339.3

NFLE

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
644144162.14195.6

CFL

ATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
271118240.711N/A
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.