Card: Ultimate WLAF 1992 Acquired: TTM 2017, C/o Work Sent: 8/8/17 Received: 5/31/19 (661 days) See Also: JR Holland
Overall it’s a great shot of Holland, but unfortunately, somebody was running into the foreground of the shot, so they couldn’t have a giant hand right next to JR. Ugh. Once you see it, it is all you look at.
I was able to cross reference all the information I had on John to track him down eventually through Facebook, and came to find out he runs a gym in California, where I sent my request to.
I waited 661 days for a 1 of 2- as JR signed just his Ultimate WLAF card, but not his Wild Card, but I will take what I can get, as it took some super sleuthing to track him down. John Holland was kind enough to sign this card and inscribe it with ‘Birmingham Bad Boys”.
Cards: All World 1991, Jogo 2018 CFL Alumni Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home Sent: 10/23 Received: 11/2 (10 days)
At 5’7″, 200, I think it’d surprise people that Jon Volpe toted the rock at Stanford and in 1988 rushed for 1,027 yards on 228 carries for the Cardinal. He graduated with a BS and an MS in Industrial Engineering and earned honors as a 3 time All-Pac 10 Academic, and a Rhodes Scholar Nominee.
After not being selected in the 1991 NFL draft, Jon was selected by the British Columbia Lions of the CFL with the 4th overall pick. He earned CFL Rookie of the Year Honors, rushing for 1,395 yards and 16 TDs. He’d add another 941 yards and 13 TDs to CFL All-Star Honors in 1992. After a brief holdout and a down year in 1993, Jon joined the Las Vegas Posse of the CFLUSA initiative for 1994. He’d have another 182 yards on 43 carries and 3 TDs.
In 1995 Jon signed with the Pittsbugh Steelers, but a devastating shoulder injury ended his playing career during the preseason.
Jon lives in Tuscon, AZ and as of 2020 is the CEO of NOVA Home Loans, the largest privately held mortgage company in Arizona. He signed the All-World card for me, and tossed in the CFL Jogo Alumni card for me as well in 10 days flat.
Cards: Action Packed 1990, Action Packed 1991, GameDay 1992 Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home Sent: 1/2/19 Received: 4/9/19 (97 days) See Also: Jim Everett
With a smooth autograph and many cards, I really wanted to come back again and ride the Jim Everett train again TTM. With the Action Packed and the GameDay cards down I liked, it’s still tough sledding the rest of the way if I ever hit him up again in say- 10 more years. I really liked these Action Packed entries. They really showcase the amazing sports photography that was available throughout those years. The lighting is just right to feel that Californian sun in Anaheim stadium. The Gameday is also pretty nice, but I am almost too curious as to what is going through that San Fransisco defender’s mind as Everett launches that pass. Jim has one of the better autographs in the game. Strong, connected, loopy, dynamic- It’s about everything you’d want out of one.
Since the last time I wrote Jim he’s become one of the celebratory NFL figures of the LA Rams old guard (- along with Eric Dickerson) welcoming the team back to the city after its long hiatus in St. Louis. Despite his numerous injuries that he suffered from his playing days- Jim has a certain excitement and vigor to him as he takes in the new landscape of Los Angeles Rams football. He’s done some pregame color analysis for the Rams during the preseason to get his appetite wet as well.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
