I got Roger many, many years ago in person at Cowboys training camp, but over the last few years there was a few cards I added to my collection from sets I really wanted to get signed. Staubach was kind enough to sign 1 of 2, but also sent a note back saying not to write to him again.
Staubach was also one of these players whose fee and signing habits changed wildly over the last 20 years. There was also a rumor that he had a ghost signer. While I couldn’t verify whether or not that was true, this autograph is certainly different than the one I got in person back in the 90s.
Chased the Upper Deck Legends Marquee Matchup 1997 cards while I could. It’s a great subset, but since- to me- it requires both players to be alive and reasonably obtainable, it’s a bit hard to complete out. This one was a potshot as Steve Largent started signing again, so I was able to get him first and then reload and get Charlie with this Crown Royale card. I like the CR card because the bottom half of the canvas feels like it was deliberately left blank, so an autograph only feels natural there.
CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Insert ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 5/31 RECEIVED: 6/10 (10 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played college football at Penn State from 1959-1961 where he was starting QB for the Nittany Lions.
Completed 48.2% of his passes for 1619 yards, 15 TDs, and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 318 yards and 3 TDs on 104 carries.
Played briefly in the NFL for the Redskins in 1962, and the Jets in ’63.
Jumped into coaching working in the college ranks as a positional coach for West Virginia (TE 64-65) and Oklahoma (WR/OC 66-83).
Started out as OC at Florida in ’84, but quickly took the reins as HC, coaching there through ’89.
Posted a 40-18-1 record over career with Gators.
After a year off, returned to coaching as OC of the WLAF Orlando Thunder in ’91.
Recommended and quickly reunited with his former college QB Kerwin Bell.
Orlando became well known for its explosive Spread offensive formations.
Became head coach of the Thunder in ’92, leading the franchise to World Bowl II, claiming an 8-2 record.
After a year’s stint with the AFL Charlotte Rage in ’94, returned to the rebooted World League in 1995, coaching with the Rhein Fire.
Coached through 2000, compiling a 34-26 record, winning two World Bowl Championships (1998, 2000).
Came back stateside in 2001, as head coach of the XFL Orlando Rage posting an 8-2 record.
Coached RBs with the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.
Returned home to Penn State in 2004 as OC and RB coach, working with the Nittany Lions through 2011.
ACCOLADES:
SEC Coach of the Year (1984)
NFL Europe Coach of the Year (1998, 00,
XFL Coach of the Year (2001)
Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
NOTES:
Galen didn’t have any cards of himself made. I considered making one, but at the time I was artistically uninspired, so after arming up with a few World League helmet cards, I decided to fire one off to him. Now, my big thing recently is getting coaches to draw me up a play. I also peppered him with questions about the spread offense and his time in the World League. Although he didn’t give me any insight into his time in the WLAF/ NFLE, he did author two plays for me. They are run plays, but I’m very happy nonetheless he took the time to put these together.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
