Category Archives: AFL

AFL, College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Bell, Bobby (LB)

Cards: Topps 1970, Upper Deck Legends 1997
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 12/23/19 Received: 1/16/20 (23 days)
*Donation Enclosed

A two-time All-American and Outland Trophy Winner while playing defensive tackle for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Bobby Bell was coveted by both the AFL and NFL- and ultimately was drafted by both the Minnesota Vikings and the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963.

Considered one of the most dominant defenders of his era, Bobby spent his first two years at left defensive end, earning his first Pro Bowl nomination in ’64. He then moved to left linebacker in 1965, and earned his first of 8 consecutive All-Star/Pro Bowl and 6 consecutive All AFL or All Pro nominations at the position. He earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year Honors in 1969. Bobby was also a great special teamer. He played for the Chiefs through the 1974 season, and was instrumental in Kansas City’s Super Bowl IV victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Sacks however did not become a tracked number until 1982.

Since retirement, Bobby had his number retired by the Chiefs, was named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, AFL All-Time Team, the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2016.

Bobby has some great cards, and was an incredible player. Because of this I saw getting his autograph for a small signing fee to be a bargain. I loved both his Topps 1970 and the Upper Deck 1997 Legends card of his.

GTACSACFUM
168N/AN/A9
INTYDSAVGTDLG
2647918.4661

AFL, CFL, College Football HoF, wfl

Trull, Don

Card: Topps 1964
Acquired: TTM 2020, C/o Home
Sent: 3/18 Received: 3/24 (6 days)

Don Trull played football for the Baylor Bears from 1961 to 1963 where he was one of the top quarterbacks in the SWC, if not the nation. He set SWC records for completed passes (174) and yards (2,157) in one year. He capped his 1963 season with 2,157 yards and 22 TDs (which led the nation) and a 14-7 win over LSU in the Bluebonnet Bowl. A smart and alert quarterback, Trull excelled at calling plays and audibles at the line of scrimmage.

Don was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 1964 NFL Draft. He’d be groomed to be the heir apparent of the Oilers behind ageless George Blanda for the next 3 years. In 1966, Don saw action in 5 starts, posting 1200 yards and 10 TDs to just 5 picks, however he finished 0-5. He also rushed for 7 TDs on 38 carries. After 3 more games in 1967, he’d be traded to the Boston Patriots for the remainder of the season.

Trull returned to the Oilers in 1968, where he really had the best season of his career as a starter- posting a 3-1 record, with 864 yards passing, and 10 TDs and 3 interceptions.

After a down year in 1969, Don played in the Canadian Football League the next two years for the Edmonton Eskimos. Allowed to take the starting reins for the Esks, he threw for 2455 yards and 12 TDs on 364 attempts to 185 completions. After one last season in the CFL, Don was off the football grid coaching at Arkansas until he was lured back by the WFL in 1974, where he saw limited action for the Houston Texans/ Shreveport Steamer.

Don lives in Houston now where he is an ambassador for the NFL Houston Texans organization. In 2013, he was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame, and he was involved with the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show for many years. I got Don’s card after I found out he was an ambassador for the Texans. I hoped to catch him at one of the team functions where they sign for fans, but since nothing every popped up, I just went ahead and sent this out right at the beginning of the COVID crisis.

NFL G/GSATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
77/18637276398043.3302861.6
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
1234283.51423
CFL G/GSATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
N/a465237293251.01227N/a
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
44651.5130
WFL G/GSATTCPDYDSPCTTDINTRAT
N/a311611751.602N/a
RUSHYDSAVGTDLG
221.002
AFL

Williams, Kieron

Card: Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2019, C/o Home
Sent: 6/10 Received: 8/20 (71 days)

Kieron Williams played his college ball at Nebraska in 2016 and 2017. He saw action at both corner and safety for the Cornhuskers recording 36 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, and took a lateral off of an interception 44 yards for a TD. He was not selected in the NFL draft and opted to sign with the Alliance of American Football in 2018. He was assigned to the Arizona Hotshots for the 2019 season and saw some action for the team. After notching 2 tackles in the preseason- when this great photo was probably taken- Williams started one game on the season, and finished with 7 total tackles.

It took Kieron a bit to get back to me, but with some persistence over Twitter he kindly responded to my request. A solid autograph, it has a nice amount of loops and dips in it. Kieron was not selected in the XFL 2020 draft, however he has his quickly established his own clothing line called Fake.