Tag Archives: Hamilton Tiger-Cats

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Morris, Lee

Utimate World League 1992 Promo

CARDS: Ultimate World League 1992, Ultimate World League 1992 Defense, Ultimate World League 1992 Promo
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 12/14/21 RECEIVED: 1/3/22 (20 days)
FAILURE: TTM C/o Home, 2014, 2016, 2019

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Walked on to the Oklahoma Sooners football team in 1985.
  • Fairytale story continued as he contributed to the Sooners National Football championship that year, catching 5 passes for 96 yards and 2 TDs.
  • Went undrafted in 1987, but thanks to the NFL Players Strike, saw significant playing time starting 3 games for the Green Bay Packers.
  • Contributed career best 6 catches for 132 yards and a TD in win over Eagles during Week 3.
  • Among final tough cuts during 1988 training camp.
  • Joined CFL Toronto Argos late in season.
  • Had 5 catches for 86 yards and TD against Winnipeg a few weeks later.
  • Played following season for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
  • Selected by the San Antonio Riders in the 8th round of the WLAF 1991 positional draft.
  • Emerged as San Antonio’s most reliable receiver in 1991, contributing 23 catches for 409 yards and 2 TDs- including a franchise long 73 yard TD grab.
  • Returned for 1992 season but suffered season ending injury after catching 9 passes for 174 yards.
Ultimate 1992, Defensive Overview #191

NOTES:

I had been hunting for Lee Morris for quite some time- striking out at 3 different addresses over the years. From time to time I like to look at EBay. It’s a backdoor way to see who is signing TTM sometimes, and this one paid off. I found a listing on the site for Lee’s autograph on his Ultimate base card. Then I cross referenced the information I had on him and realized he signed from a previous address I had tried him at a few years ago. It made me quite ecstatic when I got these back. These cards are technically the first responses of 2022.

These are some great action shots of Lee. I remember leaving a game or two, and seeing kids chase Lee for his autograph on his Ultimate promo card that were inserted into the Gametime magazines. (I was quite jealous as I couldn’t find one.) He seemed quite happy that he had a card.

Later the base card appeared in all its glory. I love this shot of him jumping up in the air to make a grab, however it showcases the Riders and the league’s lackluster attendance woes.

I tossed in the Defensive Overview card as well, and since it had a receiver in the picture, it made sense to have Lee sign it. Oddly the back image has Surge helmets on it, but I’d assume it’s not an error card as the set itself is meant to introduce fans to football.

Ultimate WLAF 1992, #156

NFL

RECYDSAVGTDLG
1625916.1146t

CFL

RECYDSAVGTDLG
2434814.5155

WLAF

RECYDSAVGTDLG
3258318.2373t
Arena, CFL, NFL, WLAF

Dixon, Titus

Ultimate World League 1992, #161

CARD: Ultimate World League 1992
ACQUIRED: 2021, EBay
FAILURE: TTM 2014, C/o Home

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played WR for Troy University totaling 1,554 yards, and 24 TDs on 86 receptions, and tied an NCAA record with a 99  yard TD reception.
  • Also spent time as a kick returner returning 74 kicks for a 24.3 yards per return and a TD.
  • 6th round pick of the New York Jets in 1989.
  • Returned 4 kicks for 67 yards in 3 contests, before landing on the roster of the Colts for a game.
  • Saw preseason action with the Falcons and Chiefs, and then later signed with the San Antonio Riders of the World League in 1992.
  • A dangerous deep threat for the Riders, totaled 20 catches for 296 yards and a TD, while returning 14 kickoffs.
  • Hopped over to the CFL in 1993 and after a tryout with Ottawa, ended up on the roster of the Sacramento Gold Miners.
  • Had most solid season to date, with 61 catches for 1074 yards, and 5 TDs- including a 90 yarder.
  • Spent 1994 between the rosters of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts.
  • Played the next 3 years with the San Jose Sabre Cats of the Arena Football League.
  • Recorded 86 catches for 1012 yards and 15 TDs in 1996.
  • After a brief hiatus, reemerged for one final season with the Buffalo Destroyers in 2000.

ACCOLADES:

  • Arena All-Arena 1995 (Second Team)

NOTES:

Since my lowball offer stuck, I went ahead and took an Ebay flyer on this one after previously failing on Titus back in 2014. I mean, who would fake his autograph? I Immediately figured out his address and resent the other card I need (Wild Card) to Dixon again to try to get him to sign.

NFL

KRYDSAVGTDLG
46716.8021

WLAF

RECYDSAVGTDLG
2029614.8148
KRYDSAVGTDLG
1429621.1037

CFL

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73123016.8590t
KRYDSAVGTDLG
4691820.0044

ARENA

RECYDSAVGTDLG
209247711.940N/a
KRYDSAVGTDLG
164316519.39N/a
CFL, NFL

Giftopoulos, Pete ‘Gifto’

1991 All World Canadian Football, #52 (UER)

CARD: 1991 All World Canadian Football
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/O Home
SENT: 7/6 RECEIVED: 9/3 (59 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played for Penn State from 1984 to 1987.

  • Originally started career as a TE, but later in 1985 switched to LB where he earned a starting role.

  • As a solid cover LB, intercepted 4 passes for 94 yards over college career.

  • Recorded a sack and 2 picks in 1987 Fiesta Bowl.

  • Was not selected in 1988 NFL Draft, but signed with the local Pittsburgh Steelers.

  • Selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the 6th overall pick of the 1988 CFL draft.

  • After refusing to report was subsequently traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

  • Played 8 seasons in Hamilton, recording a career high 77 tackles, and 3 sacks in 1990.

  • In 1991,  posted 63 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 3 interceptions for 28 yards.

  • Lost starting job in 1992, and saw time on the offensive line as well.

  • Was well known as a leading special teams player, and concluded his career after the 1995 season.

CFL

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2477.035275.4019

NOTES:

Thanks in part to his unique Greek last name, Pete was very easy to find. It should be observed that in the past, he rarely responded through the mail from what I could tell- perhaps because of the misspelling of his name on this card, which spells his last name ‘Giftopoulus’ as opposed the correct spelling of ‘Giftopoulos’.