CARD: Playoff Contenders European Ticket 2000 ACQUIRED: 2021, Future Considerations
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played at Central State (OH) starting 1995 and 96.
Caught 58 passes for 991 yards and 12 TDs in 1996, earning NIAA All-American Honorable Mention.
Played 4 seasons in the WLAF/ NFLE.
Joined the Galaxy in 1997, catching 18 passes for 227 yards and 2 TDs.
Signed with the Amsterdam Admirals in 1998, and played the next 3 seasons there.
Had best season in 2000 with 43 receptions for 590 yards and 8 TDs.
Signed by the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL in 2001.
Played from 2002-08 in the Arena Football League.
Spent majority of career with Dallas Desperados (2002-06).
Best year came in 2004 with 105 receptions for 1309 yards and 23 TDs.
In 2007, split time between the Nashville Kats and Columbus Destroyers, retiring after the 08 season.
Played both ways in Arena football (WR/CB) recording 4 interceptions, 97 tackles, and 2 fumble recoveries over career.
NOTES:
Given nickname ‘money’ because teammates said his hands were like money in NFLE. As you can see in his autograph he’s worked a ‘$’ into his signature as well.
CARDS: Playoff Contenders European Ticket 2000 ACQUIRED: 2021, Future Considerations
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Talented athlete played for UAB in 96 and 97 converting from quarterback to wide receiver.
In his only year at WR posted 38 receptions for 823 yards and 7 TDs.
Spent majority of rookie year on Cardinals practice squad.
Opted to hone his skills in NFLE with the Scottish Claymores in 1999, posting 11 catches for 181 yards and two TDs.
Allocated to NFLE in 2000 playing for the Rhein Fire.
Led league with 12 touchdown catches.
Returned stateside in 2000 and spent the year on the practice squad of the Bills and Broncos.
In 2001 was a territorial allocation of the XFL 2001 Birmingham Bolts.
Signed with Cowboys but did not make the squad.
Opted to sign with the CFL in 2002, playing for the Ottawa Renegades, but retired due to concussions.
NOTES: Drake estimates that he suffered from at least 10 concussions over his career in football, with three being knockouts. He now suffers daily from the debilitating side effects of those head injuries, and spends his time coaching football and also improving education and awareness of concussion safety.
He finished his career 558/969 for 7602 yards with 57 TDs to 27 INT.
At the time of his graduation he held 20 school passing records, breaking many that had been held by Joe Montana.
Undrafted in 1998, Ron signed with the Tennessee Oilers but did not make the squad.
The following season he spent the preseason with the Detroit Lions.
In 2000, Ron was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.
He’d be shipped to the NFLE and played for the Amsterdam Admirals.
Ron had a solid season has Amsterdam’s starter, throwing for 1784 yards and 13 TDs, while rushing for 77 yards and a TD.
After a few years away from the game, Ron went into coaching and has had stops with Notre Dame, Akron and Kansas as a positional coach.
As of 2022, he works in the front office at Notre Dame as the associate athletics director and sport administrator for the Fighting Irish.
Leaf Rookies & Stars 2000, #283
NOTES:
With renewed vigor I have begun assembling the autographs of the members of the NFLE to pair with their member teams. Ron had quite a few cards and I was lucky to get him on all of them (Bowman, Topps, Leaf) in one shot TTM. I like all 3 of the sets, but I tend to lean a bit more towards the Leaf set.
2000 Bowman Chrome, #164 2000 Topps, #348
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
287
156
1784
54.4
13
5
81.1
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
