CARDS: Pacific 1991, ProSet 1990 ACQUIRED: Autographs Inked Private Group, 2021 FAILURE: 2020, C/o Home SEE ALSO: William Fuller
I’ve always wanted to get William Fuller on a few cards, since I sorta didn’t like the others I had gotten him on way back during Oilers training camp. You fail 100% of the shots you don’t take, so I figured I might as well give him another shot during the pandemic.
Waiting over a year and getting no response, I thought I might as well cash in a few chips. Since I missed out on them I went ahead and invested in these two cards that I had wanted to get signed sometime ago. (This represents one of the few times I’ve actually purchased autographs through my private Facebook group.) I remember carrying that Pacific 91 in camp and squiggling blue Sharpie on the back of it by accident. Still I’m left with 2-3 more cards I’d love to add to the collection. He does a fairly affordable private signing once or twice a year. I might look into that in the future.
The holder of 34 individual player records at WR for North Carolina Central at the time of his departure in 1986, Robert Clark was a 10th round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1987. He’d make the squad, and play for the team in both 87 and 88, finishing with 22 receptions for 283 yards and 2 TDs, but couldn’t crack the starting lineup, thanks in part to an injury he sustained his rookie season.
In 1989 the Lions were fully committed to their Silver Stretch offense, so they needed 4 wide receivers to make that happen. They’d run out and sign Robert as an unconditional free agent, and he’d step right into the starting lineup posting a gaudy 18.2 receiving average, as he finished second on the team with 748 yards on 41 receptions.
Robert finished second on the team with 52 receptions and led the squad with 8 TD receptions in 1990. In 1991, Robert continued his consistent production, setting a career single game high catching 10 passes for 143 yards against the Packers, where 9 of 10 of those receptions went for first downs. He’d conclude the 1991 season with 47 catches for 640 yards and 6 TDs.
A precise route runner who is quick in traffic, Clark was fearless over the middle, but could also turn on the jets when it counted- particularly against division opponents. Over his time in Detroit, Robert started 45 of 46 contests. He’d then spend one largely forgettable season with the Dolphins in 1992, catching just 3 passes for 52 yards.
As the CFL invaded the USA in 1993, Robert joined the league playing for the Toronto Argonauts. He immediately established himself as one of the top dogs in the CFL, leading wide receivers at the midway point in receptions and yardage. On the season, Clark finished with 50 receptions for 900 yards and 3 TDs. He’d then spend his next two final seasons with the Baltimore Stallions helping the team win the CFL championship.
I have always been a friend to the Run N Shoot system, partially due to my Houston roots, so I was very happy to get his autograph on these cards, especially considering he’s such a rare signer.
Cards: ProLine 1992 Portraits, ProLine 1992, ProSet 1990 , Topps XFL 2020 Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home Sent: 5/19 Received: 5/29 (10 days) See Also: Jerry Glanville
After the final death rattle of the UFL, Jerry slipped into semi-retirement for a few years there. I mean don’t let him hear me say that. He probably kept himself busy doing all sorts of things. Jerry returned to coaching in 2018 alongside his former coaching buddy June Jones, who was now head coach of the CFL Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Jerry took the reins at defensive coordinator, but after a season he resigned due to personal reasons.
It didn’t take Jerry long to return to the sport again, this time with the XFL. He’d sign up to be defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Vipers under head coach Mark Trestman.
I was intrigued by the signing but had hoped that Jerry would be signed as Houston’s defensive coordinator. When I went to the Houston Roughnecks/ Tampa Bay Vipers joint scrimmage, I grabbed the three 90s cards I had of Jerry and went to the event. I camped out the Vipers side of field. Jerry was in his element, and his Man in Black personality always bring the crowd. I decided to not go for Jerry’s autograph at the event for a couple of reasons. First, Jerry’s name was listed in the checklist for the Topps XFL set that wasn’t out yet. Second, if I went for Jerry, I’d probably miss out on quite a few players. Third and finally, I was already aware of Jerry’s stellar TTM reputation. -He didn’t disappoint.
I was not a fan of the ProLine series but the portrait set card of Jerry was pretty unique. I really liked the design style, as the sharp edges matched Jerry’s style. He was kind enough to take the time to sign this one in silver so it picked up nicely. His other ProLine card I had, I liked it because it was a shot of him when he coached the Oilers. His final Pro Set card of the Falcons Back in Black was a set filler for me. (On a side note, I’ve never been fond of the black, and after a few years its become very stale. I wish they’d go back to those reds.) Jerry’s final card, from Topps XFL 2020 seems to capture all the usual of his ambiance and Man in Black persona.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
