Tag Archives: ttm football autographs

Largent, Steve (2)

Card: ProSet 1989
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 5/27  Received: 6/17  (22 days)
See Also: Steve Largent

I went ahead and sent out to Steve Largent TTM in 2011 since I got his autograph way, way, back in the 1990s at a conference in Austin.  After working with a Christian Athlete’s association Steve went into politics in Oklahoma where he was elected on his conservative record to  Congress. He ran for governor of Oklahoma but lost narrowly in a highly contested election. Since that time Steve moved back to the Seattle, Washington area where he worked as president of CTIA, – a wireless lobbying firm.

I sent off to him in late May and was happy to get his autograph back on this Pro Set 1989 card.  Unfortunately he only signed 1 of 2 cards- ignoring the 1978 Topps I also included. Still, I am happy to have reacquired Steve for my collection on this Pro Set 1989 card, which frames him in action flawlessly.

Pringle, Mike

Cards: Wild Card WLAF 1992, Pacific CFL 2003.
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home.
Sent: 6/19/2010  Received: 7/25/2011 (409 days)

Super happy about this return today that I never thought I’d ever get back. It tied the record for my longest current wait -at 409 days! He was kind enough to also include a CFL card to go along with his WLAF card as an added bonus and inscribed them with his HOF year.  Hall of Fame you say? You’ve never heard of Mike Pringle? Mike Pringle may not ring any bells to any NFL fan, but to a CFL fan, he’s the greatest runningback in gridiron history.  

Mike Pringle was a dominant runningback in college playing in the shadow of USC and UCLA while at Cal State Fullerton. During his career there, the prolific back would tie the NCAA record for most yards rushing in a game at 357 (with Reuben Mayes), following that up with a 269 yard rushing effort the next week. The two game total of 626 yards, was an NCAA record. The do it all runningback would lead the NCAA with a titanic 2659 yards from scrimmage that season.

In 1990, Mike would be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 6th round of the NFL draft. At 5’8″, 186, the team hoped to utilize him as both a receiver and runningback in their Red Gun offense under Jerry Glanville, but Pringle would be remanded to the practice squad his rookie season. He’d return to the team in 1991, but not make the final squad cut at training camp becoming along with Brett Favre, another record breaking offensive player let go by Jerry Glanville.

Pringle would be signed by the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL, but after 3 respectable games, he’d be inexplicably cut. Mike then suited up for the Sacramento Surge in 1992, winning World Bowl II with the franchise. He’d lead the team on the ground posting a respectable 507 yards and 6 touchdowns, ranking 4th in the league in yards, and second in attempts (152). In addition Pringle would chock in 6 receptions. The WLAF would reorganize after the season with the Sacramento Surge being the only survivor from the league that took to the field in 1993.  They would join the CFL ironically and Sacramento would be rebranded as the Goldminers. After a subpar season where he subbed in for Mike Oliphant and acted as a third down back, Pringle would be traded to the Baltimore Stallions in 1994. Pringle would take the reins of the starting runningback job after week 2, and never looked back. The rest later became history.  Pringle set CFL marks with 1972 yards rushing in a season. He’d also return kicks for the team as well, finishing with exhaustively over 2700 yards from scrimmage on the ground.  Pringle in 1995 followed his massive 1994 season up with a 1791 yards rushing- an incredible 2 year run. Mike also averaged a gaudy 6.4 yards a carry in 1994, and a 5.8 yard average in 1995. At the conclusion of the 1995 season, the Stallions would win the Grey Cup.  He’d do a short stint with the Broncos after the season, but be cut in training camp.

In 1996 he’d rejoin Baltimore, which had relocated to Montreal to become the Alouettes. Playing only part time in 1996, he’d return to form in 1997 rushing for 1775 yards for Montreal. Pringle’s 1998 stands among the upper echelon of gridiron football, as he shattered the 2k barrier running for 2065 yards and left his mark on the record book. He’d continue to run for incredible numbers over the next few seasons in Montreal, leaving the team in 2003. Mike did not disappoint playing for the Eskimos. He’d continue to bang out 1000 yard seasons, and in 2004 took the CFL rushing record by storm. At the end of the season, Mike retired and then signed an honorary one day contract with Montreal to retire with them. By the end of his career, Pringle finished his career with a record 16425 yards rushing, 20254 TYAC, and tied for the CFL record of 137 career touchdowns.

Since retirement Mike has been inducted into the CFL HoF in 2008 and had his number retired by the Alouettes. A 7 time Canadian All star and 2 time CFL MVP,  Mike to me is probably considered probably the greatest WLAF success story. Below are his CFL statistics:

Rush 2962    Yds  16425   Avg  5.6     Td  125    |      Rec 396   Yds 3793   Avg 9.5    Td 11
Kr 138   Yds 2954   Avg  21.4  Td 0

 

McGee, Tim

Cards: ProSet 1990, ProSet 1989
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o Home
Sent: 6/20     Received:  7/1   (11 days)

Among wide receiver combos during the late 80’s-90’s, the AFC Central sported both the Houston Oilers’ in Hill,Givins,Jeffires and Duncan and the Bengals with equally talented- and in some cases superior group of Brown, Holman, and McGee. Originally a first round pick of the 1986 draft by Cincinnati out of the University of Tennessee, McGee finished as the college’s all-time leader in yards, receptions, and touchdowns. He’d be immediately paired with 1985 1st round choice Eddie Brown, freeing up Eddie and tight end Rodney Holman across the middle.

McGee would start initially as the Bengals’ kick returner. He’d finish his rookie season with slightly over 1000 yards returning and an additional 276 receiving. His total yards from scrimmage would be 1283 for 1986. A fearsome long bomb receiving threat, Tim averaged a 17.3 yards in his rookie season. In 1988, he’d average a career high 19.1 yards on 36 receptions, scoring 6 touchdowns. 1989 would be an impressive season for Tim, as he’d help lead the team to the Super Bowl, with 1211 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns. As the team suffered from the dismissal of head coach Sam Wyche and perennial quarterback Boomer Esiason’s departure, McGee’s statistics and starting time would diminish. As free agency rolled around in 1993, McGee would sign and play one season with the Redskins making 500 yards and 3 touchdowns. He’d re-sign with the Bengals in 1994 and retire after the 1995 season.  McGee is a great through the mail signer confirming this with an 11 day turn around on these 2 cards. He is currently a sports agent in the greater Cincinnati area.

G/Gs  134/97       Rec  321       Yds   5203       Avg    16.2       Td  28       Lg  78