Tag Archives: Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Arena, CFL

Jackson, LaRoche

tntafl14 ljacksonCard: TNT AFL 2014
Acquired: 2014, Trade

A fearsome hitter and defensive back LJ  joined the Gladiators in 2013 and tallied 85 tackles and 5 interceptions in 14 games. He got a fair amount of playing time also at kick returner in 2014, and finished with 26 kick returns for 578 yards and a TD. LaRoche has had an interception for a touchdown in every season he’s been in the AFL including 2014, when he had 3 interceptions for 74 yards, 105.5 tackles, and 2 FF, helping key the Gladiators Arena Bowl run.

LaRoche went to little Clark Atlanta University, becoming a starter at DB in the second game of his freshman season.  He held on to that spot the rest of the year, finishing with four interceptions. Jackson went undrafted in 2006. He’d sign with the then Carolina Speed and was named Rookie of the Year of the AIFA in 2008. The next season he played for the Bloomington Edge of the IFL. After a brief stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in 2010, LaRoche landed in the Arena Football League in 2011. He’d swim with the Sharks of Jacksonville, earning an Arena Bowl title in his first season. En route, Jackson led the Sharks with 119 tackles, recovered two fumbles, and recorded six interceptions. In 2012, he recorded 97 tackles, another four interceptions, and a forced fumble.

Great finished product and even better looking autograph, LJ really tagged this one up nice. Once I got the autographs back I thanked them through Twitter. True to the reason why I do this, I could tell that LaRoche enjoyed getting the cards as much as I did getting the autograph.

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Jones, Myron ‘Iron Myron’

ultwlaf92 mjones psetwlaf91 mjonesCards: Ultimate WLAF 1992, ProSet WLAF 1991
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent:  7/30   Received: 8/27   (28 days)

Myron ran for 863 yards and scored 15 touchdowns as a Senior at Fresno State in 1989.  An 11th round pick of the then Los Angeles Raiders, he’d be cut in camp before the regular season, and join the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. Released by the Ti-cats, Jones attracted attention of the WLAF and was selected in the first round (4th overall) of the positional draft by the Orlando Thunder.

A Run ‘N Shoot team coached by Don Matthews, the Thunder were predictably reliant on the pass. Although Iron was more of a fullback, he still managed to take the field on opening day and ended up as Orlando’s leading rusher in 1991 with 288 yards. His best games came against San Antonio, rushing for 85 yards on 15 carries. Myron later followed that up with a 14 carry 65 yard effort against the Birmingham Fire.

Myron currently lives in California where he is a Deputy Probation Officer for LA county.  He takes pride in helping juveniles get the help they need and become positive contributing members of society. Myron very much liked these cards and asked for a few extra. He is also friends with the ‘Fresno WLAF Connection’- in particular: Dwight Pickens, Andre Alexander, and Kevin Sweeney.

He inscribed two bible verses along with the autographs.

John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Epheisians 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Awesome. I love testaments. It really says a lot about the character of the former player, who they are, and what they stand for.

WLAF   Rush 68     Yds 288     Avg  4.2   Td  2
Rec  14    Yds 133    Avg 9.5    Td 0

CFL, NFL, WLAF

Gelbaugh, Stan (2)

Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992 Promo
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o Home
Sent: 5/23    Received: 6/14    (22 days)
See Also: Stan Gelbaugh ‘Blueprint’

“Well he was one of the real good players over there with the London Monarchs there. He’s played a lot of football in his life and I know that he counts that time with London as one of the highlights- and to be the World Bowl champ in year number one and to be a part of that team, I know he has great memories.”

– Former SA Riders QB and Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett on Stan Gelbaugh

So I had this one last card of Stan Gelbaugh,- part of a promo pack given to fans upon entry during a 1992 WLAF game. I think I got them all, but I only had a few of them or a rare single here and there. There are two differences when you look at the promo cards: First, the front has a different color stripe than the default team. Second, with some rarety, the photo of the player can be different. Finally the back touts the Ultimate brand and their million dollar promotion they were doing that year if you spelled out the word WORLD. Some of the promotions were in different languages as well. I am not sure how many made it into circulation- little less what players are officially covered in this mini set. The demand is low so they probably aren’t worth much, but for a collector like me, it holds value. This is an otherwise great card of Stan, and I actually prefer the promo with the alternate stripe in yellow and black over the base card set.