Tag Archives: Denver Broncos

NFL

Russell, Leonard

Cards: Action Packed Rookies 1991, Topps Stadium Club 1992.
Acquired: TTM, c/o New England Patriots, 1992, 1993.

The 6’2″, 235 lb bowling ball from Arizona St. was selected in the first round of the 1991 draft by the New England Patriots as they were attempting to rebuild after a dismal 1-15 season.  Russell would reward the team with workman-like efficiency rushing for 935 yards and 4 touchdowns, grabbing offensive rookie of the year honors and helping the team win 6 games that year.  Unfortunately, the Sophomore slump hit Russell in ’92 and he only ran for 390 yards that year, but he recovered nicely in 1993, rushing for a career high 1088 yards. After his rookie contract had expired the Patriots made Leonard an offer but he got into a disagreement with Parcells and the staff about the contract, so the Patriots decided to go in a different direction.

Russell would become a journeyman playing for the Rams, Broncos and Chargers before retiring after the 1996 season. One of Leonard’s goals was to make the playoffs, but ironically every team he played for made the playoffs after he retired.  Russell at the time of this post is the Director of Business Development for Adrenaline Athletic Training Solutions in Riverside, CA.

Games 85      Att 1164    Yds 3973   Avg 3.4  Td 29  Lg 24
Rec 122   Yds 846   Avg  6.9  Td 0  Lg 69

NFL

Joyner, Seth

Card: Action Packed 1992
Acquired: In Person, Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp 1993, West Chester, PA.

I got Seth’s autograph on my trip to Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp back in 1993 at West Chester, PA.

A dominant linebacker who could enforce the run as well as play the pass, Seth Joyner was drafted in the 8th round of the 1986 draft and played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos over a 13 year career.  A three time Pro Bowl selection (1991,93, and 94) he was also runner up for the AP NFL defensive player of the year in 1991, and the SI NFL player of the year that same year. After winning Superbowl XXXIII with the Denver Broncos he retired as a member of 20/20 club. A rare breed of linebacker that has at least 20 picks and 20 sacks in their career. (Rickey Jackson, a member of this club was just inducted into the HoF in 2010.) Since retiring to Arizona Seth has become an avid golfer and does NFL analysis work for a variety of networks on the radio and on TV and continues to be beloved by the Eagles’ faithful.

NFL

Mecklenburg, Karl ‘Albino Rhino’

Cards: Fleer 1990, Proset 1989
Acquired: TTM 2010, C/o home
Sent: 2/15 Received: 3/15 ( 28 days)

Nobody paid much attention when with the 310th pick of the infamous 1983 draft, the Denver Broncos took a flyer on a little known linebacker named Karl Mecklenburg out of the University of Minnesota.  Mecklenburg would just go on to play for 12 seasons, leading them on defense during the Bronco’s Superbowl runs during the 1980s. Nickamed the ‘Albino Rhino’ by teammates, Mecklenburg finished his career with 79 sacks and over 1100 tackles.  Since football, Mecklenburg has established the REACH foundation, written a book about his experiences as a player (“Heart of a StudentAthlete”) and been inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Honor. He also does extensive public speaking and resides in Littleton, Colorado with his wife and three children. I sent off for Karl’s autograph, and got a fairly quick response from him with a note about his book in a little under a month.

The verse included is from the bible. (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Games 180      Tac 1104     Sac 79.0    FF 16     Int 5      Yds 128     Avg 25.6    Td 0